Compromises
The presence of compromises in cars is a phenomenon that is on its way out. Consider the fact that many of these cars are as quick or handle better than hardcore track-biased production cars that were sold 15 years ago.
As we can see, versatility, comfort and good driving manners need not stand in the way of having a blast in controlled situations. It would seem as though the FR-S got the shaft, but much like the Genesis Coupe in the track test, compromises need not be so evident.
The same goes for refinement. It is no longer pertinent for a car to punish its occupants because it is really good at something. What glorious automotive times we live in.
Be sure to check out our Comparo 2.0 track test of these cars to get the whole story!
At the end of the week, as a group, we did sit down and vote on which car we would take home and call our own. The result was unanimous: The 2013 Subaru BRZ.
Notes:
All of the cars in this test scored high safety marks as they are all equipped with stability and traction control as well as at least six air bags.
The presence of compromises in cars is a phenomenon that is on its way out. Consider the fact that many of these cars are as quick or handle better than hardcore track-biased production cars that were sold 15 years ago.
As we can see, versatility, comfort and good driving manners need not stand in the way of having a blast in controlled situations. It would seem as though the FR-S got the shaft, but much like the Genesis Coupe in the track test, compromises need not be so evident.
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| Photo: Sébastien D'Amour |
The same goes for refinement. It is no longer pertinent for a car to punish its occupants because it is really good at something. What glorious automotive times we live in.
Be sure to check out our Comparo 2.0 track test of these cars to get the whole story!
At the end of the week, as a group, we did sit down and vote on which car we would take home and call our own. The result was unanimous: The 2013 Subaru BRZ.
Notes:
All of the cars in this test scored high safety marks as they are all equipped with stability and traction control as well as at least six air bags.
| 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec | 2012 Mazda MX-5 SV | 2013 Scion FR-S | 2013 Subaru BRZ Sport-Tech | 2012 VW Golf GTI 5-door | |
| Engine | Turbo 2.0L L4 | 2.0L L4 | 2.0L H4 | 2.0L H4 | Turbo 2.0L L4 |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual | 6-speed auto seq |
| Power (hp @ rpm) | 274 @ 6,000 | 167 @ 7,000 | 200 @ 7,000 | 200 @ 7,000 | 200 @ 5,100 - 6,000 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 275 @ 2,000 | 140 @ 5,000 | 151 @ 6,400 - 6,600 | 151 @ 6,400 - 6,600 | 207 @ 1,700 - 5,000 |
| Curb weight (lbs/kg) | 3,362 / 1,525 | 2,606 / 1,182 | 2,758 / 1,251 | 2,776 / 1,259 | 3,080 / 1,397 |
| Tire make & model | Bridgestone Potenza RE050A | Bridgestone Potenza RE050A | Michelin Primacy HP | Michelin Primacy HP | Pirelli P Zero Nero |
| Tire size (front | P225/45VR19 | 205/45VR17 | P215/45WR17 | P215/45WR17 | 225/40HR18 |
| Tire size (rear) | P245/40VR19 | 205/45VR17 | P215/45WR17 | P215/45WR17 | 225/40HR18 |
| 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec | 2012 Mazda MX-5 SV | 2013 Scion FR-S | 2013 Subaru BRZ Sport-Tech | 2012 VW Golf GTI 5-door | |
| 0-100 km/h (sec) | 6.5 | 8.3 | 7.6 | 7.2 | 6.8 |
| 1/4 mile (sec @ km/h) | 14.5 @ 156 | 15.9 @ 141 | 15.1 @ 150 | 15.0 @ 152 | 14.8 @ 155 |
| Fuel economy (L/100km) | 10.3 | 8.6 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 8.4 |
| Engine @ 100 km/h (rpm) | 2,300 | 2,900 | 2,750 | 2,750 | 2,100 |
| Braking, 100-0 km/h (m) | 38 | 41 | 40 | 39 | 41 |
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