The Tokyo Motor Show marked the unveiling of both the Toyota GT 86 and its Subaru cousin/half sister/near identical twin, the BRZ. The two rear-wheel drive 2+2 coupés are the result of a collaboration between Subaru and Toyota with the former doing most of the technical work on the engine and chassis while the latter took care of the styling.
As such both cars are powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre boxer engine that produces 200hp and, thanks to the fitment of Toyota's 'D-4S' direct injection technology, a respectable 205Nm of torque. The engine is mounted as low as possible in the BRZ to lower the car's centre of gravity. This, in conjunction with a lightweight chassis and use of lightweight materials, is said to endow the BRZ with exceptional handling characteristics.
Styling wise there is little that separates the BRZ from its Toyota sibling. The vast majority of the car is the same save for unique bumpers, lights and grilles, but in signature Mica Blue the BRZ is unmistakably a Subaru. Shame then that the BRZ appears to have lost the coin toss over the addition of a rear wing - big wings and Scoobys would normally be inextricably linked.
When it arrives in Ireland late in 2012 the BRZ will come standard with a six-speed manual transmission with a six-speed automatic - complete with steering wheel mounted paddle shifts - available as an option. The ability of the autobox to blip the throttle on downshifts is interesting but we still expect the manual to be the biggest seller in this part of the world.
Subaru also unveiled a GT300 racecar version of the BRZ in Tokyo that will compete in the Japanese Super GT Series.