Currently reading: Updated Subaru BRZ makes UK debut at Autosport International

Subaru's rear-wheel-drive sports coupé gets a revamp, following Toyota's update of the closely related GT86 last year

The facelifted Subaru BRZ has made its UK debut at today's Autosport International event, with the first right-hand-drive example displaying the sports coupé's minor styling tweaks.

New headlights now feature different day running lights, and the tail-lights are also new.The front bumper gets redesigned side vents, while the bootlid now has a small rear wing.

These minor aesthetic tweaks come with changes to the car's trim levels. When it goes on sale in the spring, the 2017 BRZ will be available in only one specification, SE Lux.

Read our review of the Subaru BRZ here

The outgoing BRZ is available in two trim levels – SE Navigation and SE Lux - suggesting that the car’s entry-level price may rise from the £24,550 of the manual SE, to the £26,050 Subaru charges for the SE Lux. Prices have not yet been released for the facelifted car, however.

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On the inside, a 4.2in screen has been added to the instrument panel, displaying functions associated with track driving such as a lap timer, brake and g-force readout. There's also a new, smaller-diameter steering wheel, similar to that applied to the BRZ's Toyota GT86 sister. Audio controls have been added onto the wheel, and the interior now features Alcantara throughout.

Read our review of the Toyota GT86 here

Subaru claims that powertrain and suspension updates improve the BRZ's handling. The strength of the engine block has been increased, while the rocker arms have been reduced in weight and friction has been reduced on the camshaft. All of these, Subaru claims, contribute to greater fuel efficiency, although official figures are still to be confirmed.

The suspension has been fettled to transmit fewer vibrations into the cabin than before, as well as allowing the car to corner flatter through corners. A Track mode has also been added to the car’s drive mode selector. 

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n. leone 13 January 2017

The torque and how to get it

I own a gt86, and from the beginning I missed the torque. My previous car had been a 3 series BMW with an athmospheric six cylinder, and the Toyota felt it had the torque of a bike. I don't know if the best way to get more twist would be to install a turbo. I feel that increasing the capacity to 25oo cc could also be a solution, and perhaps more in tune with the kind of car. While I enjoy driving it, certain faults are difficult to digest: for reasons unknown the passenger seat isn't adjustable in height, so my wife is reclining in a pit. The sun reflects from the dashboard to the inside of the windscreen too much, the suspensions are wooden and the exhaust is too noisy which, since one is obliged to use high revs, is annoying. But then again, the use of deadening materials is scarce. Yet, it wouldn't be expensive to remedy all these inconveniencies and, in my opinion, conducive to better sales.
ianp55 6 December 2016

Not that much of a refresh is

Not that much of a refresh is it, not much difference from mine best thing don't change it too much it's almost perfect
Lessis More 6 December 2016

A what...???

I had a 2004 Impreza WRX that had a go-faster whooshy thing somewhere under the bonnet. Can't remember what it was called but it was good. Couldn't hurt to try it again :-)