Well, here it is, the all-new 2021 Subaru BRZ. It’s slightly longer, wider, and more powerful than the first-generation. Subaru has taken an evolutionary approach with the exterior design language. The same can be said for the interior, it retains a utilitarian look and feel and features a fully digital drivers instrumentation binnacle and bigger infotainment system, new switchgear. Power is supplied to the rear wheels by a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre Boxer engine which equates to 228hp, a mere 23hp up over the predecessor.

The Subaru BRZ will utilize a 6-speed manual transmission for entry-level models. A six-speed auto is optional or standard for higher trim levels. A mechanical limited-slip differential should allow the RWD Subaru BRZ to achieve zen-like levels of side-ways motion. Subaru has worked hard on perfecting the weight distribution which they say is “perfect”. New manufacturing techniques yielded a 60-percent stiffer structure.

We have driven the 1-st gen BRZ and it was a fun and serious car to drive. Handling, ride, comfort, dynamics all really well sorted. But it was underpowered. The 2nd-gen BRZ remains underpowered, at a guess Subaru updated the ECU. Which is a computer kindly asking the engine management for more power. Statistically, the majority of people who buy sports coupes opt for the automatic. The generation who did prefer a manual transmission is becoming fewer as the years go by.

Question: Why didn’t Subaru electrify the engine? they could have sold the BRZ in Europe had they done so. Most probably the engineering budget wasn’t available, even with Toyota as a partner manufacturer. The manual transmission and handbrake, the naturally aspirated engine, the lack of power, the lack of electrification. The BRZ seems outdated.

As the switch to electric/electrified cars gathers momentum it just seems like the BRZ is the equivalent of a steam engine fitted with an iPad. It feels as though the Subaru BRZ Mk2 has become a fossilized specimen, it wants to be of its era. Perhaps the latter will appeal to buyers.

The sun may be setting on the BRZ but we do know it will be raucous if underpowered as ever it was.