2013 Subaru BRZ

After nearly four years of development that have produced plenty of concepts and prototypes, the 2013 Subaru BRZ finally arrives at U.S. dealers in the spring. This sport coupe will use a naturally aspirated, direct-injected, 2.0-liter flat-4 engine good for 200 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. The power is sent to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Although this isn't a whole lot of juice, the BRZ is expected to weigh less than 2,700 pounds at the curb, so performance is still expected to be pretty lively.

Subaru's identity has depended on turbocharging and all-wheel drive for so long that it's hard to imagine a sporty Subie without either one. But some compromises were necessary because the car has been developed in partnership with Toyota, which required rear-wheel drive and a naturally aspirated engine for the forthcoming Scion FR-S. The good news is, the new rear-drive platform allows the engine to sit 4 inches lower and 9 inches farther back than in Subaru's standard AWD setup.

Dynamic differences between the two models will likely be minimal, although a Subaru official says the BRZ's suspension tuning won't mimic the Scion's. The BRZ chief engineer is reported to have instructed his team to benchmark the BRZ against the Porsche Cayman. We also expect an optional limited-slip differential.

Inside the cabin, the 2013 Subaru BRZ features sporty cloth-covered seats (with a likely option to upgrade to a combination of leather and faux suede), a 2+2 seating layout (front seats plus a pair of small seats in back), a dash layout in which the tachometer is the central instrument, and enough room for a full set of racing tires. Look for options to include Bluetooth, navigation and iPod capability among other features.

Enthusiasts have long clamored for a new small, affordable rear-drive sports car. If the BRZ lives up to early reports, such wishes might be fulfilled. It won't be the only compact rear-drive contender; the Scion FR-S will offer a similar experience, while the Mazda Miata and Hyundai Genesis Coupe have kept the segment alive and frothing for new blood. And while it's fun to think about an all-wheel-drive BRZ, Subaru officials have -- for the moment, anyway -- ruled it out. Check back for a full review of the 2013 Subaru BRZ including information on pricing and driving impressions as it becomes available.