Subaru BRZ

Subaru BRZ

Subaru has finally given us the first glimpse of how its rear-wheel-drive BRZ sports car is shaping up with the BRZ Concept STi, which was revealed at the Los Angeles Motor Show.

The new model is part of a tie-up with Toyota and shares many of its components with the upcoming FT-86. Much of the chassis was engineered by Subaru –  along with the 2.0-litre flat-four Boxer engine – but Toyota's fuel-saving direct injection system will also feature.

Leaked specs reveal that Toyota's model will boast 197bhp – and although there are rumours that the Subaru BRZ could have around 250bhp, company sources wouldn't confirm this.

Visually, the two models boast a very similar profile, but Subaru will differentiate the BRZ from its Toyota sibling with a more aggressive bodykit and Subaru's family face. Every body panel on the BRZ concept will change slightly for production, although the car will look pretty much identical to the one you see here.

Company sources are keen to point out that the BRZ is very lightweight - it's expected to tip the scales at around 1,150kg – and despite a relatively modest power output, it should do 0-60mph in less than seven seconds with a top speed of 140mph.