Sciaru BRZFRS (BreezeFrees)

[ShobThaBob]

They already make a sporty sedan, the Impreza/WRX, which is a better sedan than the BRZ sedan would be. They also already make a sports car, the BRZ, which is a better sports car than the BRZ sedan would be. Why would they want to muddy the waters with a car that will only scavenge sales from one or both of those cars?

When it comes to how big and comfy and useful this car will be, think of a Maserati Quattroporte. Long, low, wide, tight, no headroom, etc. Now shrink that down to the same height and width as an NC Miata. What you have is the world's tiniest and most useless sedan which has no room and rides uncomfortably.

The non-wrx Impreza is not sporty at all. This car doesn't have to be large. It's fine having a small sedan that's low and wide. Ever sat in a mid 90s civic or integra sedan? They can work just fine. It's not stupid.

 

[homeforsummer]

They already make a sporty sedan, the Impreza/WRX, which is a better sedan than the BRZ sedan would be.

It's also AWD, which not everyone wants. And anyway, the modern Impreza is a) crap and b) not on sale any more in Europe. Even if you don't want a small, light, rear-drive sedan, I'd quite happily take one.

They also already make a sports car, the BRZ, which is a better sports car than the BRZ sedan would be.

But it's not a better sedan than the... well, the sedan would be.

Why would they want to muddy the waters with a car that will only scavenge sales from one or both of those cars?

That sort of thing doesn't really apply these days. They'd benefit far more from the economies of scale being able to use the platform in a wider range of vehicles than they'd lose from the handful of overlap sales. You may as well ask why VW sells a 3 and 5 door Golf and a Jetta when one could cannibalise sales from the others.

When it comes to how big and comfy and useful this car will be, think of a Maserati Quattroporte. Long, low, wide, tight, no headroom, etc. Now shrink that down to the same height and width as an NC Miata. What you have is the world's tiniest and most useless sedan which has no room and rides uncomfortably.

What makes you think that? It'd be rubbish if it had the same wheelbase, but I doubt they're cramming an extra couple of doors into the existing platform. It might not even look the same.

 

[niky]

The non-STI Impreza sedan is honestly not the sportiest four-door on Earth. And not even the sportiest four-door within the limited subset of four-doors defined as its competitors. It isn't even second or third.

It's already compromised in terms of economy, speed, pricing and chassis packaging by the four-wheel drive drivetrain.

A rear-wheel drive sedan based on the same next-generation platform could potentially be lighter, faster, more economical and better to drive without sacrificing any interior space or useability. Heck, they could probably make it cost about the same money.

 

[MedigoFlame]

How about a BRZ Shooting Brake!?

 

[Keef]

Damn, at first glance I thought I was looking at a Mazda 3-door lol.

Any more details on this concept? @MedigoFlame

 

[MedigoFlame]

Does look off at some angles. As far as I know, reported by Road and Track, it is called the Cross Sport Design as is shown in the picture... "Adds two inches and has a taller roof line" is all that's been said so far. Will also have a CVT transmission.

Another picture from R&T

 

[Yauma9]

Interesting, but wouldn't buy it over the original.

Looks like it's intended to be an offroader. WHY??

 

[MedigoFlame]

I'd love it if it was lower and less crossover-like... That is another thing that does bother me about it.

 

[RACECAR]

So Subaru says "No, we don't want a convertible", but they turnaround and make a cross over concept...Ok

 

[CodeRedR51]

Interesting, but wouldn't buy it over the original.

Looks like it's intended to be an offroader. WHY??

Because Subaru.

 

[MedigoFlame]

Jalopnik updated their post with these render photos.

 

[YSSMAN]

YES, Subaru. So much YES.

As much as I like the BRZ and FR-S, adding some actual practicality makes me want to buy - even it will still be ridiculously priced. Well, assuming it goes into production.

 

[CodeRedR51]

The car on the show floor looks damn near production to me.

 

[MedigoFlame]

Still would have been so much better if it was more like this render:

 

[Wolfe]

It looks very nice. Could it be AWD? Seems like the result of Subaru taking the Toyobaru project and really making something of their own from it.

 

[homeforsummer]

I quite like it. Fits Subaru's brand ethos better than the regular BRZ. A sporty, relatively practical all-wheel-drive would probably prove quite popular in the UK, providing it was priced right.

Though I can't see such a thing being cheaper than the BRZ itself...

 

[RocZX]

It looks badass!

 

[YSSMAN]

Though I can't see such a thing being cheaper than the BRZ itself...

Nope. If they built it, I doubt they could do it for less than $30k here in the States. Even though it would be heavier and not handle as well, I'll be damned if I didn't want it more than the regular BRZ anyway.

 

[homeforsummer]

Nope. If they built it, I doubt they could do it for less than $30k here in the States. Even though it would be heavier and not handle as well, I'll be damned if I didn't want it more than the regular BRZ anyway.

Ditto. I'm one of those who prefers the Toyota version to the Subaru (I've no idea why - modern Subarus just don't really appeal to me in any fashion, I've a lot more time for Toyota) but this car seems like it could make an awesome daily driver. Even with the touted CVT. In fact as a daily, especially with the CVT.

 

[ND4SPD]

I'm surprised they haven't just called it the BRZ Jalopnik edition already.

 

[Omnis]

Wouldn't be surprised if they called it the BRX.

 

[terminator363]

It's ugly

 

[phillgt2002]

Ugly, just ugly. Just make an FRS wagon and call it a-day.

 

[Cale]

Would be awesome if they used that car as a stepping stone to get back into WRC. Would look a hell of alot cooler than the FWD hatchback based cars competing now.

 

[terminator363]

Ugly, just ugly. Just make an FRS wagon and call it a-day.

Why can't automobiles just be produced in standard sizes like footwear or something. You got your boots, your shoes and your runners. What I'm trying to say is I wish cars were as simple as choosing between A sedan, a wagon, an SUV, sports car, and an offroad type vehicle. I'm sorry if this is sounding a bit socialist but I'm tired of seeing these weird crosses between different vehicle types. Edit: Reading my post again it looks like I'm saying everyone should be driving Ladas or something.

 

[Kamuifanboy]

Would be awesome if they used that car as a stepping stone to get back into WRC. Would look a hell of alot cooler than the FWD hatchback based cars competing now.

Fairly certain that the BRZ is too big for current WRC specs.

 

[niky]

I'm saying everyone should be driving Ladas or something.

The world would be a much happier place...

 

[homeforsummer]

The world would be a much happier place...

Out of context quoting for the win I actually wondered whether he'd said that for a second...

Why can't automobiles just be produced in standard sizes like footwear or something. You got your boots, your shoes and your runners. What I'm trying to say is I wish cars were as simple as choosing between A sedan, a wagon, an SUV, sports car, and an offroad type vehicle. I'm sorry if this is sounding a bit socialist but I'm tired of seeing these weird crosses between different vehicle types. Edit: Reading my post again it looks like I'm saying everyone should be driving Ladas or something.

In some ways I agree with you.

But in others I don't: I've been lucky enough to drive a bunch of recent crossovers, four-door coupes and other odd concoctions, and they're usually genuinely pleasant cars to drive and be in. Some of them are good enough that I'd choose them over the more conventional cars they're based on - a Nissan Juke is far more interesting and even better to drive than a Micra, and a Mercedes CLA somehow feels more special than its more conventional A-Class cousin.

The trouble with advocating the same thing in different sizes is that you get a range like Audi - they do a few weird mixes here and there, but otherwise you get a sedan range that looks identical just in different scales, and a range of SUVs that look identical just in different scales. If mixing and matching different genres gives us a more varied choice of vehicle, I'm all for that.

I do like a good wagon or sedan as much as the next chap but those "weird crosses" can have some really cool results. For me, this BRZ shooting brake thing really appeals.

 

[niky]

I like the Subaru XV a whole lot better than the Impreza sedan. They don't sell the Impreza hatchback here... but I don't mind all that much, given how the XV moves.

Then again, I've always liked unusual cars. I liked the Forester better when it was neither a wagon nor an SUV... as compared to the rather conventional crossover/SUV it is now.

 

[homeforsummer]

I think part of it is that the niche stuff is where all the genuinely interesting design and tech is going these days. If as much effort was put into regular stuff like sedans or basic hatchbacks you can be sure niche segments wouldn't be as easy to fill.