With Subaru discontinuing the WRX in its home market of Japan, it only makes sense for the car maker to shift its motorsports attention to a more showroom relevant model. That model in question is the BRZ which has just been transformed into the “Boxer Rally spec Z.”
Competing in this year’s All Japan Rally Championship under Subaru Team Arai, Subaru and STI took its rear-wheel drive coupe and transformed it into an all-wheel drive rally machine. In the process, the front and rear fenders have been widened and enlarged, while air outlets on the hood provide additional cooling and aerodynamics. Surprisingly, the rear spoiler equipped on the rally car is a genuine STI sports part that can be purchased as a genuine accessory at a dealership.
Subaru and STI has also added a turbocharger to the BRZ’s FA24 2.4-liter engine. This significantly boosts the output to 280 horsepower (or more) and its torque to 500 Nm (or more). The drivetrain’s mounting has also been optimized so that heavier components are placed at the center of the race car. It uses a 6-speed sequential gearbox developed by SADEV.
Onto the suspension, it has KYB front and rear struts with geometry taking in learnings from the WRX rally car. The steering rack layout has also been tweaked by the folks at STI. Completing the handling package are four-pot Endless brakes all around and 18-inch x 8.0 J Work wheels with 210/650-R18 Yokohama Advan tires.
Competing in the same class as the WRX (JP4), the switch to the BRZ has helped Subaru in one big way: weight. The WRX struggled perennially as an overweight car, but switching to the Subaru Boxer Rally spec.Z has helped them cut the fat. By being under the minimum weight, engineers are now able to adjust ballast placement to achieve an ideal weight distribution and lower center of gravity.
The BRZ rally car is making its debut next month at the Yuho Rally Asuka.
Now sell cars similar to those engine and drive train specs above, Subaru will be back in business again !
ReplyDelete