Subaru Australia general manager Blair Read said he has been “staggered by the amount of interest in the new BRZ”.
“The level of dealer enquiry and calls to our own customer service centre indicates massive interest among sportscar fans and we look forward to sharing more details closer to launch.”
“We only have around 50 of the current-generation BRZ left, and it’s likely there will be a gap in supply until the new model launches.
“So, it’s timely to alert customers that the new model is coming, and to register their interest if they’re keen to be among the first in line when deliveries begin.”
The rush to get a place for the BRZ echoes the recent sell-out of the last model of the WRX STI, which went on sale through Subaru’s online site.
Only 75 units of the STI were offered in Australia and 30 were available via the online site. They sold within a couple of hours and were followed soon after by the entire stock being accounted for prior to delivery mid-year.
The next generation of STI models is expected to become available next year with Subaru Australia spokesman David Rowley saying the sales program will be a mix of online and through its retail network.
Mr Rowley said Subaru Australia pioneered online selling with the first-generation BRZ.
The program was an immediate success with 200 sold within 24 hours.
The same rush may be replicated by the BRZ and customers are advised to register their interest in the new car through Subaru’s web page.
Despite the high level of interest in the BRZ, Subaru Australia told GoAutoNews Premium that specifications and pricing have not been confirmed.
At the global unveil in November, Subaru said the engine capacity was now 2.4-litres (up from the current 2.0-litres) with torque increased by about 18 per cent over the outgoing manual-transmission model, and more than 20 per cent for the automatic.
It said the six-speed automatic transmission models gain a revised “Sport” mode and Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which will be a new feature for the BRZ.
The new body is more rigid, with about 60 per cent greater front lateral bending rigidity and about 50 per cent more torsional stiffness. The stiffer body is said to improve steering response and lead to more nimble handling and better stability.
By Neil Dowling
