Why a turbo BRZ makes sense and wouldn't cannibalize the WRX

"Lime - Light" (LimeLight) 07/08/2014 at 12:54 • Filed to: None

0

4

The first comment against an STI version of the BRZ is that it would take away sales of the WRX. That is a horrible argument, and here's why:

Brands often offer 2 and 4-door variants on the same basic performance vehicle. BMW, Mercedes and Audi come to mind. Doing so does not reduce sales, it increases them. Why do you think BMW's naming conventions and car lineup is so convoluted and overlapping? So they can please everyone. These cars are sharing the same basic platforms and drivetrains and the more models they can stuff them in, the more they can recoup engineering and tooling costs. As I see it, making the BRZ more desirable by way of more power would drive up sales and help Subaru recoup the costs of creating the platform. The longer a model is on sale and the more it sells the higher the margins of profit become.

The fact that a 4-door car from the same manufacturer exists with a similar performance level won't stop buyers who are looking for the 4-door, and it won't stop buyers that are looking for a 2-door. Example: CTS.

As someone without a family, or the need to have only one vehicle, the STI has always seemed like a compromise: If they could fit the same performance in a smaller package by chucking the back seats and doors, I'd rather have that. People unlike me who want a sports car with some more utility would go with the sedan. Options!

The Daily Hoon > Lime - Light 07/08/2014 at 13:04

0

The WRX is an AWD car, the BRZ is a RWD car.

They have demonstrably different suspension, steering, and powertrain differences. With equal power numbers, they become even more vastly different vehicles than your M3 v. M4 comparison (2 door v. 4 door); similarly the CTS has the same powertrain regardless of 2 door, 4 door, or wagon.

Lime - Light > The Daily Hoon 07/08/2014 at 13:12

0

Granted, but my argument was that a 2-door performance vehicle does not immediately vaporize buyers of an equally capable 4-door vehicle. The fact that they also have much different components just makes my point more, that they will attract different people.

You may misunderstand why I mentioned the fact automakers use the same equipment for multiple-sized vehicles. I wasn't insinuating the BRZ and WRX share the same platform, although they do share some parts. It was simply illustrating why automakers offer similar performance in many shapes, thereby making them close in performance as the STI and BRZ turbo would be. The result is the same, however: they all sell.

I'd argue that making the BRZ more powerful would sell more of them, without killing STI sales.

cazzyodo > Lime - Light 07/08/2014 at 13:20

0

On top of that, how many people would look at the BRZ and then try the STI while there? I did that with the WRX when I was looking for a car. Started with the BRZ and got into the WRX and my smile was larger in the hatch than it was in the coupe!

To each their own. But we are all on the same page, it seems. A BRZ STI could do no wrong.

dinobot666 > Lime - Light 07/08/2014 at 13:31

1

I don't think Subaru is afraid of the BRZ cannibalizing sales of the WRX if the BRZ had a snail attached to its 4 popper. The car was never intended to be a HP numbers car, even though that would appeal to a lot of American buyers.

It was designed to be a fun, RWD car with nice handling. That's exactly what it is.