Vehicle Dynamics International magazine announced they elected the Subaru BRZ ‘Car of the Year’ and named FHI’s Toshio Masuda ‘Dynamicist of the Year’ for its leading role in the engineering development of the sports car. Similar awards were attributed to FHI’s alliance partner Toyota for the GT86 version and to Mr Tada, the chief engineer Mr Masuda teamed with.
The Subaru BRZ was unveiled for the first time at Tokyo motor show in December last year and presented to the European press and public at Geneva show in March this year.
Developed under the theme of ‘Pure Handling Delight’, Subaru’s new sports car is a lightweight rear-wheel drive 2+2 coupe featuring Subaru’s latest and most advanced Boxer engine.
Delighted to hear the news, Toshio Masuda, Chief General Manager of FHI Product & Portfolio Planning division explained ‘It is with great pleasure that we have received these two meaningful awards. We always want our customers to understand the high base potential of Subaru’s Boxer engine and to experience the driving confidence Subaru provides. With its lowered engine position, the BRZ achieves an ultra low center of gravity. The highly rigid yet lightened body and chassis deliver excellent response, stability and maneuverability. Such uniqueness provides ‘Pure Handling Delight’. I would like to share the honors with all the engineers involved in the project and deeply thank all of them.’
