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Toyota's dream 86 becomes real

Toyota’s GT86 sports coupe - Toyota 86 in Japan and Scion FR-S in the US - is edging closer to its South African launch date and we have more details to keep happy fans salivating.

Early reports are this Toyota/Subaru joint venture’s handling and performance will finally give the Japanese automaker’s fans something to cheer again.

The attractive body holds a front-mounted, two-litre boxer engine (mated to a six-speed auto with paddle shifts) and its rear-drive configuration allows for a low-slung and nimble car in a classic sports-car package. A limited-slip differential is standard, too.

86 DETAILS

Emphasising its billing as "a driver’s car" are a rear spoiler, 17” alloy rims and chrome-tipped dual tail pipes.

The four-seater’s cabin is also said to be designed around the driver and has sports front seats, aluminium pedals and contrasting red stitching on the black upholstery.

Other interior features include bi-xenon headlights and diode daytime running lights, front fog lights, dual-zone aircon, a Toyota Touch touchscreen for the infotainment system and Bluetooth for cellphones and music players.

Safety kit includes a stability control system that can be adjusted through three driving modes to suit the driver’s changing preferences and seven airbags.

While admitting the 86 - by virtue of it being a naturally aspirated sports coupe - has "no direct competition", Toyota SA's Clynton Yon suggested potential owners of the automaker's new sports coupe could be those who also find cars such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Scirocco and Ford's  Focus ST (when the new model arrives) appealing.

The Toyota GT86 will be launched in South Africa by August 2012. Toyota South Africa will release pricing closer to the launch date.
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