For those interested, this is from
Car and Driver’s June 2012 issue. Full road test of the BRZ.
http://media.caranddriver.com/files...13-subaru-brz-limited-vs-route-napoleon-1.pdf
There is no question it is a great car. As many already know, acceleration is its weak link. C&D recorded a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. However the fine print states that involved a high-rpm clutch drop. C&D’s 5-60 time was 8.0 seconds, which in theory represents max “daily driving” acceleration.
This is perhaps the greatest disparity between a 0-60 time and a 5-60 time I can recall. In comparison, when C&D tested the MKV GTI (6MT), they recorded a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds and a 5-60 time of 7.2 seconds. Because of turbo lag, 5-60 times make turbocharged cars look much worse than they really are. But an 8.0 second 5-60 time for the BRZ reveals its true lack of torque.
I respect that car a lot. But with no usable back seat, bad highway gearing, and the need for 93 octane fuel only (it can’t take 91 octane), the car is not for me. Besides, if you look at the comparative statistics for “competitors,” the GTI costs less, has shorter stopping distances, accelerates faster and has higher skid pad numbers.