The 2013 Subaru BRZ was recently revealed during the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show and speculation is already building about a convertible version of this hot rear-wheel-drive sports coupe. We recently got behind the wheel of the BRZ and raved about the car’s flexible nature, which blends spirited dynamics with everyday practicality. Having a drop-top variant would only increase the enjoyment levels – especially when it comes to basking in the “exuberant” exhaust note of the car’s 200-bhp 2.0-liter flat-4 cylinder.At the moment, the BRZ Coupe is good for a 0-60 mph sprint of less than 7 seconds. A convertible would undoubtedly add some extra mass onto the coupe’s 2,770 lb. curb weight. That might take a slight edge off performance; yet according to some sources, a convertible is part of the BRZ (and mechanically identical Toyota 86/Scion FR-S) project. That means the chassis should cope with the loss of the hardtop using only a minimal amount of extra bracing. Like the coupe, expect a choice of 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission equipped with paddle shifters.No word yet as to whether the BRZ drop-top might be fabric, or a folding metal system. To keep the price low, we think Subaru is more likely to opt for a cheaper and less complex fabric top. From these computer-generated images, you might want to just leave the top down all the time. Unfortunately, the already tight rear seating is likely to only get worse with a convertible. Trunk space might also suffer.We’re guessing owners would be willing to give up some practicality for style. And if Subaru gets the price right, the Japanese automaker should have no problem finding customers. The BRZ Coupe is expected to start around $25,000 when it goes on sale next year which means the BRZ Convertible may start around $30,000 if it goes into production for the 2014 model year.
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