Shifting Gears: Subaru BRZ Integrates EyeSight Features into Manual Cars

Shoppers searching for a car equipped with advanced safety features and manual transmission will soon find it in the Subaru BRZ.

The fun of a three-pedal configuration often comes with some compromises. One of these is the use of advanced driver assistance systems. Most of the intervention systems work well with automatic transmissions but not with manuals. Subaru is working on a way to change this. This automotive brand is developing a package of EyeSight features that work with Subaru models equipped with a manual transmission. This means you could have a full package of safety features in your next BRZ.

Will you lose some manual functionality with this change?

A concern of driving purists that love to shift gears and enjoy a more traditional style of driving is whether or not this change comes with a loss of functionality in the transmission. Subaru says this stick shift will still operate the same, which is a relief to those thinking this brand might try and push paddle shifters as an alternative to a manual transmission. The next version of the BRZ sports car should offer a safer driving package than the current model, giving you the fun and safety you want on any road.

The first change hits the Japanese market this fall

Before Subaru brings the new BRZ to the United States, it will roll out new safety features in the Japanese market. This new sports car brings the three-pedal driving experience along with an impressive range of safety features. This will be the first time that a car using a manual transmission will have the same intervention, avoidance, and mitigation qualities as its automatic-transmission counterpart. This change is part of Subaru’s goal of achieving zero fatal accidents on the road. Since the EyeSight system launched in 2008, Subaru has delivered more than 5.5 million vehicles equipped with a version of this package.

What features should be added to the new BRZ?

The manual-transmission version of the Subaru BRZ increases functionality and safety with a new version of the EyeSight safety package. This new package brings pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lead vehicle start alert, and rear sonar warnings to the mix. Compared to the automatic-transmission Subaru models, there shouldn’t be a discernable reduction in the performance of these safety features. Instead of only receiving warnings, new BRZ owners will also have intervention qualities that could help them avoid an accident.

What does the Subaru BRZ include?

The current version of the BRZ is a lightweight 2+2 sports coupe with a cozy cockpit and the driving prowess to make taming twisting mountain roads a lot of fun. This Subaru sports car shares a platform with the Toyota GR86, including the RWD layout. This layout makes the BRZ the only Subaru model without AWD. The BRZ isn’t the fastest sports car in the market, but it’s not sluggish, either. It can be a lot of fun to drive, especially when equipped with a manual transmission.

What’s the powertrain in the BRZ?

The base model of the BRZ comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission. If you want the 6-speed automatic, you’ll have to shell out an extra $1,500 for the car to change gears for you. Either transmission matches up to a 2.4-liter boxer engine to send 228 horsepower to the rear wheels.

The Premium trim is the base model, and it rides on 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, a set of summer performance tires, and a sport suspension. Part of the base package also includes power side mirrors, keyless access, push-button starting, LED headlights, and a set of variable wipers that adjust with the vehicle’s speed.

What comes at higher trims?

If you move up the trim ladder of the Subaru BRZ, you’ll find a set of 18-inch alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer performance tires, steering-responsive headlights, heated front seats, and Ultrasuede upholster in the Limited trim.

Moving up to this higher trim level gives you Starlink connected services, blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alerts. These safety items are included in models that have automatic transmission and will be part of future manual-transmission versions of the Subaru BRZ.

If you thought the Subaru BRZ would eventually be dropped from the lineup, think again. This RWD sports car is the testbed for Subaru to develop advanced driver-assist technology for versions with a manual transmission. Could your next Subaru sports car include a manual transmission and the advanced features enjoyed in automatic-transmission versions?