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It’s officially official! Toyota is stepping back into the dark side with the world debut of the racy 86. (Yes, it at last has a name too, although it will go by GT 86 in European markets.)
Described as being “entirely driver-focused”, the sporty Toyota enthusiasts have been requesting is finally being prepared for its world debut at the Tokyo auto show on November 30, 2011. And yes, it's coming to South Africa.
The car was unveiled at Tokyo’s Fuji Speedway on November 27, 2011 by company president Akio Toyoda, a part-time racer, who used the opportunity to blitz down the main straight.
The four-seater sports coupe uses a compact two-litre flat-four boxer engine and rear-wheel drive, said to hark back to Toyota’s strong sports-car heritage. The boxer engine, developed alongside Subaru, delivers a useful 147kW at 7000rpm while the peak torque of 205Nm is available at 6600rpm.
The engine uses Toyota’s D-4S injection technology that uses separate twin injectors for both direct and port injection and a high 12.5:1 compression ratio.
INSIDE AND OUT
The flat-four drives through a short-throw six-speed manual or auto transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts.
A limited-slip differential at the rear axle provides the best traction in various conditions, while anti-lock brakes and vehicle stability control systems that have been tuned to meet the GT 86’s dynamic demands are able to step in should proceedings step “out of line”.
The GT 86 is compact, with dimensions of 4.24m long, 1.28m high and 2.57m wide, but conveying its intentions are a rear spoiler, twin exhausts and the “86” logo.
The steering wheel has a 365mm diameter – the smallest yet fitted to a Toyota, the automaker says. Faux carbon-fibre trim, an all-black roof lining, contrasting red stitching on the upholstery and aluminium pedals all add to the GT 86’s athletic prowess.
Speaking at the unveiling, Toyoda said the new sports car was all about "waku doki" - a car that creates excitement and gets your heart racing.
Toyodo said: "I'm very proud of this car. Thank you for the patience of car-lovers. They are going to enjoy this car."
Toyota SA confirmed the car will be called 86 in South Africa and will be made available here in the second half of 2012.
Described as being “entirely driver-focused”, the sporty Toyota enthusiasts have been requesting is finally being prepared for its world debut at the Tokyo auto show on November 30, 2011. And yes, it's coming to South Africa.
The car was unveiled at Tokyo’s Fuji Speedway on November 27, 2011 by company president Akio Toyoda, a part-time racer, who used the opportunity to blitz down the main straight.
COMPACT SPORTS: The Toyota 86 had a screaming debut at the Fuji Speedway at the hands of company president Akio Toyoda.
The engine uses Toyota’s D-4S injection technology that uses separate twin injectors for both direct and port injection and a high 12.5:1 compression ratio.
INSIDE AND OUT
The flat-four drives through a short-throw six-speed manual or auto transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts.
A limited-slip differential at the rear axle provides the best traction in various conditions, while anti-lock brakes and vehicle stability control systems that have been tuned to meet the GT 86’s dynamic demands are able to step in should proceedings step “out of line”.
LIGHT CONTROL: The cabin is fitted with weight saving carbon-fibre trim and aluminium pedals.
The steering wheel has a 365mm diameter – the smallest yet fitted to a Toyota, the automaker says. Faux carbon-fibre trim, an all-black roof lining, contrasting red stitching on the upholstery and aluminium pedals all add to the GT 86’s athletic prowess.
Speaking at the unveiling, Toyoda said the new sports car was all about "waku doki" - a car that creates excitement and gets your heart racing.
Toyodo said: "I'm very proud of this car. Thank you for the patience of car-lovers. They are going to enjoy this car."
Toyota SA confirmed the car will be called 86 in South Africa and will be made available here in the second half of 2012.
