Although the concept version of Subaru‘s rear-drive BRZ, displayed at the 2011 LA Auto Show back in November, looked close to production ready, we’ve now seen the real thing, which made it’s North American Debut this week at the Detroit Auto Show.

Powered by new generation FA-Series 2.0-liter Boxer four-cylinder, generating 200 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque, the production BRZ boasts one of the lowest centers of gravity of any car in the world and is also among the lightest two-door coupes on the market, weighing in at a relatively bantam 2,762 lbs. That makes it some 300 lbs less than the Lotus Evora and a whopping 500 lbs less than the Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

With a choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmissions (the latter with sport and manual paddle shifts), plus pedals optimized for heel and toe downshifting, along with an optimized front strut suspension and independent rear, the BRZ promises to be one of the most fun to drive cars available in American when it goes on sale as a 2013 model.

We’ve already tested it’s sister car, the Scion FR-S, and you can read that review here.

GALLERY: 2013 Subaru BRZ

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As expected, Subaru has debuted the production 2013 BRZ at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show and it looks as good in the flesh as it does in the photos. With all the previews and reveals ahead of its official debut, there were no real surprises once the 2013 Subaru BRZ was seen on the show floor.

The joint sports car between Subaru and Toyota showed off its 2.0L Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine packing 200-hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. The 17-inch wheels look fitting on the sports coupe, while the overall stance of the vehicle is definitely attractive to the eye. Obviously its styling doesn’t exactly scream Subaru out to us, but its flared fenders and rear wheel arches do remind us of typical Subaru.

On the inside, the smaller steering wheel is comfortable to hold and seems fitting for the coupe, while the seats were surprisingly more comfortable than we originally anticipated them to be.

Unfortunately we weren’t able to experience whether or not this BRZ is truly a “Pure Handling Delight”, at least not yet.

GALLERY: 2013 Subaru BRZ Official Photos

See video of the car from its world debut below:

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We’ve already seen one result of the joint project between Toyota and Subaru, the Toyota GT 86, and now we have the official photos of Subaru’s variant, the BRZ. By now, nothing about the BRZ is much of a surprise even though we anxiously await the world debut at the Tokyo Motor Show.

The rear-wheel-drive BRZ will be powered by a 2.0L Horizontally-Opposed Boxer Engine with 200-hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. Transmission options will be either a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual and the sports car will weigh in at 2,689-lbs. More of the focus of the BRZ however is in its handling capabilities and its lightweight chassis, as Subaru aimed for “Pure Handling Delight” with their new sports car.

Throughout the design, Subaru focused on an ultra-low center of gravity, allowing for a low hood design and a perimeter-type body frame layout. On the inside, Subaru gave the BRZ a fun-to-drive notion, outfitting it with a smaller steering wheel, a tachometer with digitally displayed speedometer in the center of the gauges and bespoke sports car seats.

All BRZ models will come standard with 17-inch wheels and tires and electronic stability control. Stay tuned as AutoGuide will be at the Tokyo Motor Show for the official debut with plenty more photos for you to indulge in.

Get more Subaru BRZ news and info at subarubrzforum.com

GALLERY: 2013 Subaru BRZ

The production model of the 2013 Subaru BRZ just got official, as seen in the January 2012 issue of Road & Track magazine. It won’t be long until we’ll see the real deal BRZ when it makes its world debut at the Tokyo Motor Show, and it appears that Road & Track got to experience the US-spec model based on these photos.

Powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.0L flat-four with 200-bhp and 151 lb-ft of torque, the BRZ is going to be offered in two trim levels according to Subaru. The base model will sport 16-inch wheels, while the premium model will feature 17-inchers. The excerpt in Road & Track doesn’t really reveal much about the upcoming sports car, stating that it “felt light on its feet and it cornered with confidence.” It did say that the power felt adequate, but struggled climbing hills.

Based on the amber reflectors on the front bumper, the lack of headlight washers and the reverse lights without the red triangle reflector, we can safely assume that this will be the North American version of the BRZ. Hang tight as Autoguide.com will have live photos from the Tokyo Motor Show when the Subaru BRZ officially debuts.

For more information and to discuss the new Subaru BRZ, please visit our Subaru BRZ Forum.

GALLERY: Official Production Subaru BRZ

Subaru has already teased its new BRZ STI concept numerous times, but now comes the very first image of what the production car will look like. Set to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show at the end of the month, rumors have indicated the BRZ could produce as much as 300-hp from a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, although Subaru is sticking to its story of a naturally aspired 2.0-liter shared with the Toyota FT-86, making 197-hp.

Certain to have edgier styling than the Toyota, we’ll await further details from the STI Concept unveiling at the LA Auto Show.

GALLERY: Subaru STI

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Tokyo Motor Show preview here

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The Subaru version of Toyota’s FT-86 sports car has been overshadowed for its entire pre-existence with the big T showing sexy concepts at international auto shows while Subie was left with displaying significantly less-sexy bits like the chassis and engine. That, however, will change at the LA Auto Show, where Subaru is tipped to reveal its rear-drive sports car, the BRZ, in all of its glorious sheetmetal.

But wait, no….. it won’t be the production car, just a concept. And if the reports prove to be accurate it will be an over-the-top STI-inspired model (looking much wilder than our near-production artist’s rendering).

As for the production car, we expect it to finally see the light of day, along with its Toyota sibling, at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show.

Like it’s Scion FR-S sibling, the BRZ is expected to hit production with a direct-injection boxer 4-cylinder making around 200-hp.

Look for more into in the run-up to the 2011 LA Auto Show, which takes place November 16-17.

[Source: Car & Driver]

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