LA MOTOR SHOW: Subaru reveals BRZ in Concept STI form

Visitors to the LA International Auto Show have been granted an early peek at Subaru's version of the rear-drive sports car the manufacturer will be sharing with Toyota.

The BRZ Concept-STI, as reported earlier by motoring.com.au, is nominally a concept car, as the name suggests, but the design study on display in Los Angeles is the strongest indication yet of how the production model will look when it makes its public debut later this month in Tokyo.

For the show car in LA, Subaru's STI division has come up with the lower front spoiler, rear wing, a carbonfibre roof, flared wheel arches, a large diffuser in the rear airdam and dual exhaust pipes — all signature design features seen in STI models already on sale. The concept is finished in a colour Subaru has named 'WR Blue Pearl II'.

Mechanically the BRZ in LA is a naturally-aspirated job, as Subaru has warned us to expect all along. But the 2.0-litre boxer engine is a square design (bore and stroke of 86x86mm) reliant on Toyota-supplied direct-injection technology for the fuel induction. Subaru hasn't revealed the sort of power and torque (or fuel consumption and emissions ratings) we can expect from either the concept or the production BRZ, but what details have been revealed look promising.

By virtue of being rear-drive only, the BRZ's engine is mounted up to 120mm nearer the ground than in the case of other Subaru models, which must accommodate drivetrain components for the front wheels. According to press information released by the manufacturer, the engine is also 240mm "closer to the centre of the chassis", which might be interpreted to mean it's aft of the front axle by that amount, but the front-seat occupants must also sit closer to the rear of the vehicle accordingly. At any rate, Subaru claims an exceptional centre of gravity for the BRZ.

The concept car features Brembo brakes and rides on 18-inch alloys shod with 215/45 tyres at the front and 225/45 tyres at the rear. Respectively, length, width, height and wheelbase measure 4230mm, 1800mm, 1280mm and 2570mm.

Subaru Australia is yet to announce whether the BRZ will be sold locally, but the portents look positive.

Stay tuned for further information concerning the production BRZ from Tokyo.

More LA Motor Show news on motoring.com.au

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...