Subaru BRZ SE 2.0i Lux

This low-slung, beautifully designed BRZ is one of those cars which definitely has the wow factor.

Wherever you drive, park or wait in traffic, it immediately attracts not only second glances, but third and fourth ones too - and every now and then, a walk around.

After all this attention, I felt I should make an effort a little when going out for a drive. Instead of jeans, a T-shirt and some battered trainers I decided to put on a tidy pair of trousers, a nice shirt and some decent shoes . . . after all those lovely people at Subaru have gone to so much effort with this stunning car I felt I couldn’t let them down.

So, you now know it looks good, but does it walk the walk as much as it talks the talk? The simple answer is absolutely . . . and then some.

As soon as the perfectly supportive and designed seat wraps itself around you and you take a glance around, you are left in no doubt you’re in for a serious driving treat.

As in most good sports cars, everything is at hand. The handbrake drops neatly away and the gearstick is in comfortable reach. A neat footrest gives plenty of room alongside the clutch and the pedals feel as if they are bespoke. At 5ft 6ins it’s not always the case – I can’t even get the right leg length in jeans.

The uncluttered gauges are simple and clear to read, once you realise the main dial is t i he rev counter and the smaller one tucked to the side is the speedometer. A digital readout in the centre of the rev counter is more than enough to keep you informed on your speed, but it’s RPM which is the key factor.

The FA20 sports engine developed for the BRZ is a flat four configuration and can comfortably rev as high as 7,000rpm, yet still offer the smooth power delivery that only a tuned normally-aspirated engine can deliver. And when you rev it you are given a treat of how a true sports engine should sound.

With the lowest centre of gravity of any Subaru, excellent weight distribution (47/53 front to rear), and a truly engaging front-engine, rear-wheel drive, the six-gear manual I drove reaches 62mph in a very nippy 6.2 seconds with total control and in extreme comfort.

But this car is not all about foot down acceleration. It handles equally well in the dry and wet. The boffins at Subaru have positioned the engine, radiator, inlet and outlet manifolds, oil tray and even angled the bonnet perfectly to ensure optimal gas flow and airflow. No detail has been overlooked.

Despite its ability for delivering an exciting ride it’s remarkably economical. Delivering 27.2mpg in town and 44.1mpg extra urban and 36.2mpg combined, I managed something around 39mpg combined, so I must have been driving responsibly.

While performance is at the centre of the design for this exquisite sports car, the interior comfort is well thought out and provided for.

A genuine four-seater, though legroom is somewhat tight in the two rear seats, it enjoys a generously proportioned cabin with a fold down rear seat and 243 litres of storage. It is able to carry two full-sized wheels and tyres with the rear seats up. The cabin also offers excellent visibility all round and still retains a perfect coupe profile.

Standard bits and bobs include windscreen wiper de-icer, rain sensing wipers, heated door mirrors, front and side defrosters, two 12v power outlets, and DAB and FM radio to name a few.

What would have made it perfect for me would be a 7in screen with Bluetooth and sat-nav. With a price tag at a very reasonable £22,495, any extra cost for this would surely be negligible.

Despite this little niggle, the Subaru BRZ not only offers a truly affordable package, but pure driving pleasure. I can’t wait to get it back out on the road. Though I might have to pick up my suit from the dry cleaners first.

Subaru BRZ 2.0

Petrol

Manual: £22,495

Auto: £23.995

0-62mph: Manual – 7.6 seconds. Auto – 8.2 seconds

Engine: Horizontally opposed, 4 cylinder, 4-stroke, DOHC 16-valve.

Transmission: 6-speed manual or 6-speed auto.

Economy: Urban – 27.2mpg; Extra urban – 44.1mpg; Combined – 36.2mpg

CO2 emissions: 181g/km