1 powerful reason Subaru says no to a fun BRZ convertible model

The 2015 Subaru BRZ has helped Subaru sell a record number of cars in July, but they could sell even more if offered in a convertible version. BRZ has also had its best July ever in sales as sports enthusiasts are snatching up the two-door coupe. Summer is the time when people love to drop the top and enjoy the sunshine in a convertible. Subaru would likely sell many BRZ convertibles, so why don’t they offer the popular rear-drive sports car with a rag top?

BRZ just received IIHS safety award

The Subaru brand is all about safety and they just received the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK for the 2015 Subaru BRZ sports car. Subaru is the only manufacturer to have TOP SAFETY PICKs for all models for five years running (2010-2014). This achievement is a testament to the importance the Japanese automaker places on safety in all their vehicles.

Subaru and Toyota entered into a partnership to build the BRZ/GT86/FR-S sport coupes and Toyota even displayed a drop top concept version of the GT86 at the Tokyo Auto Show 2013. But Subaru won’t have anything to do with it as long as they have a say in the project. It’s all because of safety reasons concerning the BRZ convertible, and Subaru’s internal safety standards, that will keep the joint project from ever getting past the design stages.

Driving enthusiasts would like a convertible BRZ/GT86

Both Subaru and Toyota have had many requests from customers asking them to offer a convertible variant of the BRZ/GT86 coupe. As we reported back in November, 2013, Subaru brand chief Yasuyuki Yoshinaga told Automotive News, “I understand well that Toyota is receiving strong requests from the American market for the car. But the biggest challenge is meeting our internal safety standards. There are big technical difficulties.”

Subaru’s main concern is their internal safety standards

The biggest challenge for the Subaru/Toyota engineers would be all the extra reinforcements needed to keep the two-door coupe architecture rigid enough. The BRZ/GT86 wheelbase would have to be stretched and extra bracing needed to maintain rigidity and strength. But Subaru’s main concern is the internal safety standards that the Japanese automaker holds for all its vehicles. Subaru will not produce a BRZ that doesn’t meet their high safety standards. They would not sacrifice safety even if Toyota wanted to move forward with the project.

The 2015 Subaru BRZ sports coupe is selling in record numbers in July and is as popular as ever with sports and driving enthusiasts. It would make a great convertible coupe, but one of Subaru’s core values for their entire lineup is safety, and they won’t sacrifice safety for a few more BRZ sales.

Other 2015 Subaru BRZ stories of interest.
With 2015 BRZ, Subaru has 7 proven models to make you feel secure