Subaru SA expects the long-awaited BRZ to hit South African dealerships from the fourth quarter of 2012, according to a press statement.

According to Subaru, in the seven weeks following its February launch in Japan, over 3500 cars were sold, with demand outstripping sales forecasts by four to one. The result is that limited stock is available for international markets.

However, Subaru Southern Africa's Marketing team leader Ashley Lazarus says the BRZ will be worth waiting for.    

"Stability and balance have always been core Subaru values and they will definitely get plenty of this in the BRZ," said Ashley.

"Handling integrity is critical and as a result we've opted for — when compared to the Toyota 86 — firmer suspension settings and other refinements to provide razor-sharp handling, giving the BRZ a very distinct feel. It'll be perfectly at home in the track day environment, yet still feel brilliant on roads that keen drivers dream about."

Another distinction will be Subaru's trademark World Rally Blue Mica bespoke colour, presently making up a third of all BRZ sales in Japan.

Subaru has overseen engineering, research and development, and testing on the BRZ/Toyota 86 project and has provided the 2.0-litre normally-aspirated FA-generation Boxer engine, now fettled with direct fuel injection to provide 147kW and 205Nm.

SSA's local engineering team is in the process of running local validation testing, including assessing aspects such as performance at altitude and fuel suitability, on pilot units. Based on these results, model specifications and pricing will be finalised and announced later this year. A number of further production units have been secured for a press launch.

"Every detail of the BRZ has been honed with driving enjoyment in mind, and the overall experience will be pure Subaru," concludes Ashley. "Test reviews by the international media thus far reveal the BRZ driving experience to be one of absolute delight and grin-inducing thrills, with some going as far as to say that it is the best sports car to come out of Japan since the Honda NSX. We know the Subaru faithful are champing at the bit, as are our dealers, and we will be doing everything in our power to get cars here as soon as possible. Who knows, some buyers may even get one as an early Christmas present."