BRZ annihilated by French econobox

[Wheelwright]

[lojasmo]

Derp.

[S4cabriofox]

I think the Subaru is not the right choice if you're taking them to the track. They should've compared the FR-S.

And regardless, a 70hp advantage will always make a difference, weight being equal.

[Mazda 3s]

And I'd STILL take the BRZ

[Gran Turismo]

[Rockmonky]

i love the terrified look on the passenger's face in the first car he looked bored in the BRZ

hate the yellow seatbelts tho..

[driveareliablecar]

Subaru built its reputation on rear wheel drive vehicles.

[toucci]

Is that a slushbox in the BRZ?

[XiaoNio]

Is that a slushbox in the BRZ?

If that's the one that they drove back from Europe, then yes. Also... not surprised?

[Wheelwright]

Automatic on BRZ appears well designed, it has dedicated sport mode with rev matching. I don't see it as a disadvantage.

[nickthaskater]

As much as I love hardcore track sluts, the FTRZ86 it just too fun sounding to pass up.

[PhilHVW]

I don't give a crap about the laptimes, but I think that's the first time I've heard significant subjective griping about the balance of the BRZ's handling.

[koko12]

Thread title FAIL.

The Magane 265 is far from an econobox, and it is probably the best handling FWD vehicle currently in production. Think ITR like handling, but with and extra 100 hp and about 150 lb/ft of torque more. If there's an econobox in this test one could argue it is the BRZ.



I wished Infiniti or Nissan would bring this over here as their hot-hatch.


I was very surprised by the driver's assessment of the BRZ. He says you can't get the back to play, but in a timed track test why would you want that? Also we've seen various times this is not the case This review was the complete opposite of what every other review has been saying which leads me to call BS on it.

[B3sat16v]

Is that a slushbox in the BRZ?

It sorta looks like it does it..... I still do not think it would make a huge difference.

[Wheelwright]

I don't give a crap about the laptimes, but I think that's the first time I've heard significant subjective griping about the balance of the BRZ's handling.

Maybe because BRZ handles just fine when compared to boats like Mustang (with sportpack no less). Makes you think just how horrible the Mustang must be..

[The Holy Molar]

The RS 265 isn't your average hot hatch.

fastestlaps.com Nordschleife lap times

100. BMW M3 8:05.00 153 '07 420 / 1619
101. Porsche Cayman S 8:06.00 153 '08 320 / 1375
102. Mercedes SL 55 AMG 8:06.00 153 '06 517 / 1960
103. Porsche Cayman R 8:06.00 153 '10 330 / 1320 Horst von Saurma
104. Subaru Impreza STI Spec C MK.II 8:06.01 153 '05 280 / 1370 Motoharu Kurosawa
105. Caterham Superlight R 8:06.20 153 '97 193 / 525
106. Ferrari 550 Maranello 8:07.00 152 '96 486 / 1690
107. BMW Z8 8:07.00 152 '00 400 / 1585
108. BMW M6 8:07.76 152 '05 507 / 1710
109. Renault Megane RS 265 Trophy 8:07.97 152 '11 265 / 1409 Laurent Hurgon
110. Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3 8:08.71 152 '91 320 / 1470
111. Ferrari 360 Modena 8:09.00 152 '99 400 / 1390
112. Lamborghini Diablo SV 8:09.00 152 '97 519 / 1590
113. Audi RS6 Avant 8:09.00 152 '08 579 / 2025
114. Audi TT-RS Coupe 8:09.00 152 '09 340 / 1450
115. Porsche 911 GT2 8:09.30 152 '95 430 / 1290

I'd still rather have the BRZ

[PhilHVW]

Maybe because BRZ handles just fine when compared to boats like Mustang (with sportpack no less). Makes you think just how horrible the Mustang must be..

What concerned me in the Mustang V6 comparison was that the drivers didn't just come out and say that they would easily choose the BRZ. You could read between the lines with all the compliments for the BRZ, but it wasn't a blowout.

[mike02467]

First time I've heard the BR-Z has a poor weight distribution. And obviously the Renault is going to be faster, but it shouldn't be 5 seconds a lap faster. I think that driver is a n00b.

[Biff Beltsander]

The Megane lineup is basically the larger family car nameplate in Renault. The Megane used in the test is a somewhat expensive sport model that's actually more of a powerful somewhat luxurious car overall.


Had this been against something that's actually an econobox like a Twingo, even the Gordini model I think the test would of been surprising.

[johnny_p]

The Megane 265 is an absolute monster. Pretty unfair comparison really.

And an automatic transmission in the BRZ.... I wonder if that had any effect on throttle response or the car's reactions.

[fknlo]

Gonna laugh so hard when the Gen Coupe, Focus ST, mk7 GTI, etc... all beat the BRZ around a track for the same/less money.

[koko12]

The Megane 265 is an absolute monster. Pretty unfair comparison really.

And an automatic transmission in the BRZ.... I wonder if that had any effect on throttle response or the car's reactions.

I kept wondering why is the driver not shifting throughout the entire lap? IT"S A FREAKING AUTOMATIC. Funny how they forgot to mention that. The BRZ was set up to fail even before this test began.

[fknlo]

Yeah, the manual would have made up the 5 second difference and probably made it pull ahead. Because it's 1987 and automatic gearboxes are still all trash.

[Biff Beltsander]

Yeah, the manual would have made up the 5 second difference and probably made it pull ahead. Because it's 1987 and automatic gearboxes are still all trash.

Nice.

[koko12]

I have no doubt the manual would NOT have made up the 5 second difference, but you FAIL completely if you think that's why the BRZ lost this shootout.

[B3sat16v]

I have no doubt the manual would NOT have made up the 5 second difference, but you FAIL completely if you think that's why the BRZ lost this shootout.

A manual gearbox, while does gives the driver a bit more engagement, it does not change the way a car handles.

[20aeman]

Every time I see the cockpit cam of a BRZ being driven around a track...everyone inside seems bored witless.

[20aeman]

The Megane 265 is an absolute monster. Pretty unfair comparison really.

And an automatic transmission in the BRZ.... I wonder if that had any effect on throttle response or the car's reactions.

I can't imagine them being priced significantly differently. As such, the comparison is perfectly fair.

[cougar]

Did anyone think the BRZ would be an unstoppable track monster against cars with better power/weight ratios? I'm willing to bet it does very well in its own class in Solo II, if nothing else.

[PhilHVW]

I can't imagine them being priced significantly differently. As such, the comparison is perfectly fair.

After seeing the track times of the Megane 265, I looked up the price in British Pounds, and it's about 27,000 GBP. The top spec of the BRZ in Britian is also 27,000 GBP.

The Megane 265 is a fairly focused, track prepared special edition, though.

[Impeccable]

Thread title FAIL.

The Magane 265 is far from an econobox, and it is probably the best handling FWD vehicle currently in production. Think ITR like handling, but with and extra 100 hp and about 150 lb/ft of torque more. If there's an econobox in this test one could argue it is the BRZ.

I came in figuering it would be the renault ,Tiff loves it I think it whipped a 370z on fifth gear

[cougar]

After seeing the track times of the Megane 265, I looked up the price in British Pounds, and it's about 27,000 GBP. The top spec of the BRZ in Britian is also 27,000 GBP.

The Megane 265 is a fairly focused, track prepared special edition, though.

...and it's still a FWD hatchback that won't drive like the BRZ .

[brandonwillyumz]

Why is the BRZ so popular here? It doesn't seem to be "great" in any way. What's the big deal about it? I see it in every other thread on here.

[PhilHVW]

Why is the BRZ so popular here? It doesn't seem to be "great" in any way. What's the big deal about it? I see it in every other thread on here.

Ask Chris Harris...(skip ahead to about 4:30 for the gushing...)

[cougar]

Why is the BRZ so popular here? It doesn't seem to be "great" in any way. What's the big deal about it? I see it in every other thread on here.

Take a Miata, give it a hard top, a usable trunk, and two small back seats all while retaining the same (if not better) driving dynamics.

What's not to like?