Why is it called Subaru BRZ?
The name BRZ encodes key design cues: B stands for Boxer engine, R for Rear-wheel drive, and Z signals sportiness. It originated from a joint Subaru-Toyota project to create a lightweight, balanced sports coupe.
Origins of the partnership
The BRZ/GT86 project emerged as a cross-brand effort to deliver a compact, driver-focused rear-wheel-drive coupe that could compete with other modern sports cars. Subaru contributed its lightweight platform and boxer engine, while Toyota brought its experience with sports coupes and global marketing. The duo released the cars in 2012 as BRZ (Subaru) and GT86 (Toyota); in North America, the BRZ was briefly marketed alongside Scion FR-S before the Scion brand was phased out.
The collaboration goals
The partnership aimed to produce a balanced, engaging driving experience with strong low-end torque, precise chassis feel, and a compact size that emphasized handling over raw power. The two brands have continued to coordinate on subsequent generations, culminating in parallel refreshes and a shared engineering roadmap, including the 2022-generation BRZ and its Toyota GR86 counterpart.
Decoding the BRZ name
Common interpretation of what the letters stand for in BRZ:
- Boxer engine: The B refers to Subaru’s signature horizontally opposed "boxer" engine.
- Rear-wheel drive: The R signals the car’s rear-drive layout.
- Zenith (or sport symbolism): The Z is widely read as a nod to peak performance and sporty branding; there is no formal, published official expansion for the Z from Subaru or Toyota.
In practice, the letters have become a shorthand for the car’s engineering DNA and its position as a lightweight, driver-focused coupe. The exact official wording remains unofficial, but the interpretation is widely accepted among enthusiasts and automotive media.
Relationship to Toyota GT86 and AE86 heritage
The BRZ is the Subaru-badged counterpart to Toyota’s GT86, a partnership that also nods to Toyota’s legendary AE86 in spirit. The two cars share platform architecture and many components, with each brand tuning the chassis and electronics to match its own brand identity. The AE86’s drifting lore and circuits-in-mind legacy helped shape the cultural narrative around the BRZ/GT86 duo, reinforcing the significance of a lightweight rear-wheel-drive coupe in the modern era.
A nod to automotive lineage
Summary
What does BRZ stand for in scion?
The BRZ's name comes from three elements: Boxer engine, rear-wheel drive, and Z standing for Zenith.
Why is Subaru associated with LGBTQ?
Subaru is associated with the LGBTQ+ community primarily due to a successful, groundbreaking advertising campaign from the 1990s that targeted lesbian consumers. The company recognized lesbians as a key demographic and developed clever, coded ads that reflected their active, low-key lifestyle. This marketing strategy, combined with authentic internal support and sponsorships, cultivated a strong and loyal customer base within the community.
- Targeted market research: In the 1990s, Subaru identified lesbians as one of five key consumer groups willing to pay a premium for their all-wheel-drive vehicles.
- "Gay-coded" advertising: The ad campaigns used subtle messaging and playful code, such as license plates like "CAMP OUT" and "XENA LVR," and slogans like "Get out. And stay out".
- Authentic and sustained commitment: Subaru went beyond advertising by implementing same-sex domestic partnership benefits and becoming a founding sponsor of the Rainbow Card, which supported LGBTQ+ causes.
- Public endorsements: The brand also signed up public figures like openly gay tennis player Martina Navratilova as a spokesperson, further cementing its association with the community.
- Community recognition: The sustained effort was recognized and appreciated by the LGBTQ+ community, which embraced the brand as its own, leading to the stereotype of lesbians loving Subarus.
Is BRZ faster than wrx?
The WRX is faster in a straight line, particularly in initial acceleration, due to its more powerful turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive. The BRZ, however, is often faster on a winding road course because it is significantly lighter and its rear-wheel-drive setup is optimized for cornering agility.
Subaru WRX
- Straight-line speed: Faster in initial acceleration and quarter-mile races due to its turbocharged engine, which produces more horsepower and torque.
- All-wheel drive: All-wheel drive provides better grip and stability, especially in different road conditions.
- Best for: Drag races or driving on open roads where raw power is the priority.
Subaru BRZ
- Handling and agility: Faster on twisty roads and tracks because of its lighter weight and rear-wheel-drive layout, which provides better balance and cornering precision.
- Power delivery: Features a naturally aspirated engine that doesn't have the low-end torque of the WRX, requiring it to be revved higher.
- Best for: Enthusiasts who prioritize handling and a more connected driving experience, particularly on technical, winding roads.
What does BRZ mean in Subaru?
BRZ is Subaru's name for its sports coupe and stands for Boxer engine, Rear-wheel drive, and Zenith. The "B" refers to the flat, horizontally opposed boxer engine, the "R" indicates the rear-wheel-drive layout, and the "Z" (zenith) symbolizes the car reaching its highest potential.
- Boxer: The "B" signifies the car's low-profile SUBARU BOXER® engine, which helps give it a lower center of gravity for better stability.
- Rear-wheel drive: The "R" indicates that the engine's power is sent to the rear wheels, a configuration that provides sporty driving characteristics like drifting.
- Zenith: The "Z" represents the peak, or zenith, of a star's journey across the sky, and Subaru uses it to describe the car as achieving its highest aspirations or being the best the company can create.
