Sporty little number

When it comes to sports cars, many people assume that the Germans and Italians have a monopoly on the segment … they don’t!

The Subaru BRZ is proof that not only can a sports car be stylish, it can also be reasonably priced without losing any of the driving pleasure.

When I took the car for a photoshoot with GulfWeekly’s Ryan Bayona, he quipped, ‘there’s not a lot of on-board entertainment’, to which I replied, ‘mate, you’re sitting in the entertainment’.

Admittedly, the model I took featured little more than a radio, CD player and MP3 auxiliary port, but who needs anything else to distract from the impeccable drive?

The cockpit is small but certainly not cramped and everything is driver-focused and clearly laid out.

This model is light, beautifully balanced and incredibly agile which means that, unsurprisingly, it’s great fun to drive.

It was developed jointly by Japanese manufacturers Toyota and Subaru and as such, is sold around the world under three different brands: Toyota (Toyota 86 in Japan, South Africa and Australia and Toyota GT86 in Europe), Subaru (Subaru BRZ) and Scion (Scion FR-S).

First impressions matter and the BRZ certainly makes a big impression. Sleek curves, smooth surfaces and a no-nonsense approach to sporting style make this model a delight to behold.

Add to the mix, a flashy sports stripe running along the front and top and you’re surely going to turn heads as you drive by. In fact, I received more than my fair share of envious glances from other motorists as I cruised along Exhibitions Avenue.

Under the bonnet of this mean machine is a 2.0-litre flat-four front-mounted engine, codenamed FB20 and established already in the Impreza.

To simply say this car is great for highway driving is an understatement. When I had some space to put my foot down, the tiptronic gearbox provided timely and smooth shifting ... that’s if, for some bizarre reason, you don’t fancy using the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Rear wheel drive is something relatively new to me since I drive a 4x4 and it gives the drive a totally different feel. As you take corners in the BRZ, it’s easy to feel the back end ready to drift … unsurprising since this is a car made for drifting.

There are a range of driving modes including sport and snow, now I’m not sure anyone will ever require a snow mode in Bahrain, but it’s nice to have the option.

The sports mode does exactly what it says on the tin, it sharpens the throttle and holds the revs higher for a better response, changing the drive dramatically.

The seats are also worth bragging about, a combo of suede and leather they’re fitted, comfortable and sturdy.

Now, although there are rear seats in this model, I personally wouldn’t subject anyone over five feet to sit in them unless I was holding a grudge against them. However, they do serve as a welcome area for additional storage.

Darting in and out of traffic is a joy in this model, it’s nimble, quick and responsive. In fact, even the dreaded Alba roundabout was met with conviction and style.

I honestly believe you’d be hard-pressed to find a better car for a better price.

Prices start from BD11,500.

For details call Motor City on 17621162.