Subaru’s new-generation BRZ coupe won’t get a cheaper entry-level model – though the Toyota GR 86 twin could fill that gap.
Buyers on a budget looking for a cheaper 2022 Subaru BRZ in Australia may need to look to the Toyota GR 86 twin, as Subaru Australia has suggested there are no plans to offer a more affordable variant locally.
When asked if the new Subaru BRZ will mirror its Toyota GR 86 sibling in Japan by offering a cheaper variant, Subaru Australia general manager Blair Read said: “Our focus has been well and truly on where we see the Subaru demographic and the Subaru buyer, and even in the previous generation we have both had different specs to appeal to our different types of buyers.”
“We have focused on the spec that we think best suits the Australian consumer, and what we have seen with previous generations. In short the focus for us has been on what works for our customer and our market, and we have chosen the variants that we think will best suit that.”
BRZ buyers in Japan and the US can purchase cheaper, lesser-equipped versions of the Subaru sports car, fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Primacy tyres – rather than the 18-inch wheels and stickier Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rubber offered as standard locally.
With the same cloth upholstery and non-heated seats fitted to Australia’s entry-level model, prices in Japan for the base ‘R’ variant start approximately six per cent lower than the flagship ‘S’, equivalent to Australia’s range-topping Coupe S – therefore suggesting a local list price of approximately $37,900 before on-road costs in Australia.
That would be roughly $1000 cheaper than the 18-inch wheel ‘Coupe’ model currently offered in Australia – with cloth seats but 18-inch wheels – and $5000 less than the local ‘Coupe S’ flagship, with heated seats and leather/suede upholstery.
Customers clamouring for a more affordable BRZ may be set to be served by its twin, the new Toyota GR 86.
While pricing and specifications for the GR 86 are yet to be announced, Toyota Australia has traditionally offered its entry-level 86 ‘GT’ with smaller alloy wheels and fewer luxury features, in favour of a list price approximately $3000 less than the cheapest BRZ.
Local launch timing for the new Toyota GR 86 will be announced in the final three months of 2021 – though it’s not clear whether pricing will be confirmed alongside the announcement, or whether interested buyers will be forced to wait until 2022.
Pre-orders for the 2022 Subaru BRZ are now open, ahead of first test-drive arrivals in showrooms in late December, and first customer deliveries in early 2022.
For full details on Australian pricing and specification for the new Subaru BRZ, click here to read our full story.
The post Cheaper 2022 Subaru BRZ unlikely for Australia appeared first on Drive.
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