I really liked my 2015 BRZ but the engine was just a huge negative. A car like this deserves a special engine whether its performance #s or sound - the 1st gen had neither.

Hopefully the new motor provides a meaningful performance improvement. The 7,000 RPM readline is not encouraging to me for NA engine, should be at least 7,500.
The sound of the engine on original car was nothing special and I doubt the new one will be much different. I wish they had a special 4cyl like the S2000.

 

I get that this is a bargain sports car, but it's 2020, I'm sure they could have utilized crisper LCD screens

 

looks GREAT...

 

The flat-4 was put in there for a reason..........low-stance/low center of gravity, which helps the car's excellent handling.

 

surprised it's not a turbo but review above says that was due to cost.

 

Possibly (cost is often a factor in the industry)...but flat-boxer-engines are well-known for having a low center of gravity and contributing to good handling. That's why Porsche uses them in their mid and rear-engine products, and why the Rally-Winning Subaru WRX snd STi have used them from Day One.

 

That's a bs excuse tho IMO....
throw the wrx motor in there - zero development costs.

 

Turbo would add significant weight with added piping and cooling thats needed.

I don’t mind NA but wish engine was more special than just the FA24 minus the turbo.

They also want to keep WRX as top dog in performance and not step in 4cyl Supra territory.

 

It's to keep WRX/STI as the Top Dawg in the Subaru lineup, as well as the Supra within the Toyota stable.

But love the free revving of the NA flat 4, hope the torque dip has also been addressed with this 2.4.

 

2.4 Less stress with a bigger motor. The 2.0 was anemic.

Subaru wisely did the same with the Crosstrek by offering a larger engine, granted optional, but needed

 

Peak torque at "only" 3700rpm, huge improvement over the previous 2L at around 6000rpm I believe? I was hoping for a bit more than 228hp though. Still kinda weak, despite its light weight.

 

I wonder if an intake + mild tune would get it close to 250hp

 

Headers and a tune were the best bang for the buck for the FA20 motor.
Intake is usually minimal if any performance.

 

same weight, 15% more torque and peak at 3700, not 6400 rpm.

sure, turbo version of same would be crazy

 

And people pay a lot more for that top dog now. It's been six years since I got my WRX, but when you equip the 2020 model similarly to mine, it's $6k more than I paid. That's significant for a car that isn't very different.

I think that the larger 4 cylinder will do the new BRZ well. The styling is new, though the front certainly leaves a bit to be desired in the area of intimidation factor.