TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Subaru BRZ revealed

The wraps have come off the rear-wheel drive Subaru BRZ coupe, a four-cylinder sporty that shares its underpinnings with the Toyota 86
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We've seen and driven the Toyota 86 sports coupe and now it's Subaru's turn, today unveiling its twin under the skin, the BRZ coupe.

Scheduled for a glitzy reveal at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, the new rear-wheel drive coupe represents a change in Subaru's ethos of AWD-only vehicles.

Powered a high-revving 147kW/205Nm 2.0-litre boxer four-cylinder mill, the same engine that motivates the Toyota 86, the rear-wheel drive Subaru BRZ is virtually identical to its Toyota step-sister in a mechanical sense, sharing the same powertrain including six-speed auto and manual gearboxes.

The major differences between the two cars are aesthetic, with different interior and exterior designs. Which design do you prefer? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Subaru says it: "...aimed for a sports car design that instinctively conveys the car's fun-to-drive character," and: "...was detailed to be instantly recognisable as a Subaru."

The Japanese car maker boasts that the: "...low hood and bulging front fenders raise expectations for the BRZ's drivability." If the Toyota 86 is anything to go by, it should be a handy steer.

It remains to be seen if both models will be priced similarly -- Toyota says pricing of its 86 coupe will "start with a three" -- and our people are on the ground at the Tokyo Motor Show are currently hassling Subaru executives to find out if and when it's coming. The last communication from Subaru on the BRZ's local arrival was that was a decision would be made in mid-December.

Previously Subaru Australia representatives have said the BRZ could "become a distraction" for brand, potentially shifting interest away from the WRX and STI performance models.

Nevertheless, we will be driving the sports car later in the week in Japan, so stay tuned for our initial impressions of the Subaru BRZ, and also how it compares to its Toyota twin.

SUBARU BRZ SPECIFICATIONS:

Length: 4240mm
Width: 1775mm
Height: 1300mm
Wheelbase: 2570mm
Weight: 1220kg

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer
Fueling: Direct injection
Transmission: 6-speed auto or manual
Power: 147kW @ 7000rpm
Torque: 205Nm @ 6600rpm
Drive: Rear wheel
Suspension: Strut fore, double wishbone aft
Wheels: 17-inch alloy
Tyres: 215/45 R17

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