AN eminently practical sports car, the Subaru BRZ has an air of the glory days of the classic GTs.

For instance, there is a proper handbrake which is situated in just the right position, a superb close ratio manual transmission and that cosseted but safe feel of sports seats about it.

Under the bonnet is the renowned Subaru Boxer petrol engine, which, in technical speak is a horizontally opposed unit of four cylinders, front mounted and driving the rear wheels - just as it should be for enjoyable performance driving.

This 2.0-litre unit has become a true classic of an engine and is now taken to new heights in the BRZ which is happily capable of 140mph and can sprint to 62mph in just over seven seconds.

But the BRZ has a much wider appeal than just a sports car. In my view is it a luxury GT, just like the classics of old with a massive punch, yet wearing silk gloves.

Classed as a two-plus-two the rear seats are not exactly practical but there is enough room in the front for driver and passenger, encompassed in a fighter plane style cockpit with figure hugging sports seats.

When driving cars such as this, one of the most annoying problems is the preponderance of speed humps on our roads. The concern is not that they make you hit the brakes, but the fact that some of them pose a distinct danger to the undersides of low slung sports cars.

No worries with the BRZ though because its 120mm ride height is adequate to clear most humps.

On the road, its inverted MacPherson strut front suspension a double wishbone rear arrangement with anti-roll stabiliser bar made for some fine driving and the electronic power assisted steering was excellently set up with just the right amount of road feel.

On the economy front a combined figure of 36.2mpg is remarkable for a car of this type as is the CO2 emissions figure of 180g/km.

The BRZ has recently been updated and is now slightly lower and wider at the front with full LED headlights. Its new look is also enhanced by redesigned rear lamps, 10-spoke aluminium alloys and an aerodynamic pedestal type spoiler.

Driver aids include a 4.2-inch colour LCD multi-information display which even includes a G-force meter. Nice idea this but not exactly useful on the daily commute or school run.

The practical sports theme extends to the driving seat and steering column which feature generous levels of adjustment.

The thinking behind the BRZ was that it should appeal to those who wanted a sports car which was not too over the top without sacrificing power and driving qualities.