Toyota 86 News

Toyota is showcasing its vision of the future with five new concept cars and an updated 86 convertible concept at the Tokyo Motor Show.Leading the charge is Toyota's FV2 – apparently 'fun to drive' -- concept, which is a showcase of technology focusing on creating an intuitive connection with the driver. Inspired by the relationship between riders and their horses, the futuristic three-wheeler pod car uses face and voice recognition to detect the driver's mood and learn their driving style.It is fully customisable and boasts an augmented reality screen but has no steering wheel or pedals. Instead, the driver leans from side to side to steer, and backwards and forwards to accelerate and brake –  making for a similar experience to a Segway.A second concept, the sleek FCV gives an insight into a possible future form for fuel cell technology – in which air and water is transformed into electricity to power the car's motor, instead of it relying on stored energy in batteries.The FCV design is inspired by the transformation of elements in the fuel cell technology, and Toyota hopes to bring a similar vehicle to market by 2015. The carmaker says the concept can drive for up to 500kms before the tanks need to be re-filled, but unlike batteries, the refill process takes about three minutes.The Aqua G concept is a very sharp looking Prius C tuned by GAZOO racing. The hybrid electric drive remains, but sports suspension, 17 inch alloys, a unique body kit and interior modifications turn the mild Prius into a sporty prospect.For those visiting Japan in the future, Toyota has a new concept van that previews a replacement for Japanese taxis. Unimaginatively christened the JPN Taxi, it shares with most Australian taxis the fact that it runs on LPG. However unlike most of our taxis the JPN taxi focuses on a well appointed interior, with an information screen for customers, electric sliding doors, and practical interior ideas to enhance passenger comfort.For the second time this year, Toyota has also taken the roof off the 86, with a soft top concept. It looks to be a slightly more production ready version of the concept shown earlier at Frankfurt, but Toyota says the FT-86 Open is a design study only. This revives debate about when – or whether -- a production soft top 86 will happen, with Toyota recently announcing it was shelving development for the time being.But the working soft top and production ready interior in the FT-86 Open concept headed for Tokyo show that the car won't need much more development to hit the showroom floor.With a next generation MX-5 under way -- and keen to re-claim its dominance in the sports car segment, after the 86 stole its crown as the affordable sports must-have --  Toyota may just be waiting for the right timing to go topless with the 86 and keep up the pressure on Mazda.Closing off Toyota's Tokyo Motor Show concept car line up are the Voxy and Noah people mover concepts. Based on a common platform, the two vans are full of clever packaging solutions that maximise interior space. They will have a petrol and hybrid drivetrain when they reach production, but are unlikely to ever be on sale at Australian showrooms.

Motor shows and carmakers routinely announce global debuts ahead of time, but we're a bit doubtful about the claim on a Dubai event's Facebook page that we'll see the Toyota 86 sedan there in a couple of days."Toyota UAE sets to impress the UAE market with new Sedan! The all new "wave design" Toyota stand will witness the regional unveil of Sedan FT 86 at the Motor Show…Don’t miss it," the Facebook post says.So what's making us think this is a dubious announcement? The image they're using of a Toyota 86 sedan is a photoshopped one that Carsguide posted back in 2010, when the car was first rumoured and was still known as the FT-86.That was a rendering based on the then still-concept FT-86 Coupe, and it seems unlikely that Toyota would use that as a teaser for their new sedan -- if indeed it exists at this stage.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

We're still waiting to hear whether there'll be a convertible version of the giant-killing Toyota 86 rear-wheel drive sports coupe, but we're hearing more every week about a sedan variant -- which is music to the ears of those who lust after the 2+2 86 but have pressing family obligations that make it impractical.Following reports a couple of weeks ago that Toyota was considering a four-door, come further ones overnight suggesting it has been given the green light for production.Citing insider sources, UK's Auto Express says the sedan will be built on the 86 platform, but with a 10cm extension of the wheelbase and feature 'keen look' grille styling that draws on the design of samurai swords.The sedan will be powered by the 86's 147kW/205Nm 2.0-litre Subaru-sourced boxer engine and likely be available with the same transmission choices of a six-speed manual or six-speed sports automatic. However there will also be a hybrid version, developing between 185-200kW and offering 10-15 per cent improvement on fuel economy over the petrol version.As previously reported, the hybrid could draw on a detuned version of the petrol engine plus electic motor system from the Yaris Hybrid-R Concept, and capture and store brake energy with a Formula One style kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) for short spurts of extra power.It's suggested the Toyota 86 sedan will be launched around the end of 2015, with prices starting in the equivalent of $35,000 overseas. With Toyota's focus on keeping the 86 affordable here -- despite its hero desirability -- that could suggest a similar starting point in the Australian market.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Toyota may have halted plans for a convertible based on the bones of its wildly successful 86 sports car, but reports suggest we could see it spawn a rear-wheel drive sedan. Stories of the possibility bubbled up the this week, most recently from US site Motor Trend, citing an inside source at Toyota in Japan. They suggest the brand is looking at several different models based on its rear-wheel-drive platform jointly developed with Subaru and sold as the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ. One of the planned models was a convertible based on the FT 86 Open concept, but low projected sales are believed to have stalled the project for now. Another is a shooting brake-style wagon and a third is a sedan, the most likely of the trio to make production. Why? Because it would be relatively unique in the market, especially if priced close to the $29,990 starting price of the 86. The sedan would appeal to buyers looking for a small sporty car but still needing the practicality of rear doors and seats -- especially those with a family to consider. According to the report, the new sedan’s wheelbase would be about 8cm longer than that of the Toyota 86. The project would use the 147kW/205 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine as the standard unit, but a hybrid setup is also on the cards from other reports, suggesting a detuned version of the setup featured in Toyota’s recent Yaris Hybrid-R concept, with a single electric motor paired up with the boxer engine. If the insider's information is accurate, we could see the 86-based rear-wheel-drive sedan launched around the end of 2015, with a price possibly starting in the $30,000-$35,000 region. www.motorauthority.com  

Toyota has made running changes to much of its 86 sports coupe lineup, but the impressive entry price of $29,990 for the manual GT variant remains.Responding to customer demand, the base GT automatic is now equipped with a Torsen limited slip differential in line with the rest of the 86 range, which sees its price rise by $300 to $32,790. Previously, the automatic GT came with an open, non-limited slip differential.All GTS models are now fitted with a standard boot spoiler to further differentiate them from the GT, which sees prices rise by $500 to $35,990 for the manual, and $38,490 for the automatic.This is the second time Toyota has made running changes to the 86, after the full-size spare wheel available at launch was dropped in favour of a cargo space-boosting puncture repair kit from September 2012 production.All other specs remain unchanged, including the 147kW/205Nm 2.0 litre boxer engine, tied to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. All models carry a five start ANCAP safety rating, with seven airbags, stability and traction control and ABS. The 86 is covered by Toyota’s capped-price servicing plan, with the first four scheduled services priced at $170. PRICINGToyota 86 GT manual $29,990 (unchanged)Toyota 86 GT auto $32,790 (+$300)Toyota 86 GTS manual $35,990 (+$500)Toyota 86 GTS auto $38,490 (+$500)OPTIONSMetallic paint: $425Aero pack: $3,000 (GTS only)

Toyota is considering several options for boosting the performance of the highly acclaimed 86 coupe, with weight reduction, forced induction, and an engine capacity increase among the possible performance boosters. The adoption of an electrified hybrid drivetrain is another possibility, and Autocar is reporting that Toyota’s exploration of 86 hybridisation has reached an “advanced” stage, but is yet to score the go-ahead for production. Speaking with Toyota drivetrain manager Koei Saga, the report suggests that a variety of hybrid technology options are being considered for the project. The most performance-oriented of these is likely a KERS-style supercapacitor system similar to the Toyota TS030 Hybrid Le Mans racer and the Yaris Hybrid-R concept shown at Frankfurt last week. However, Toyota 86 chief engineer Tetsuya Tada recently suggested to Carsguide that a supercapacitor-based hybrid system is unlikely for road-going models due to the costs involved with the technology. Therefore, if a hybrid 86 is given the green light, a cheaper nickel-metal hydride or lithium-ion setup as used by existing Prius models is likely. Saga also suggested that the inevitable weight of a hybrid system could be offset by the 100kg weight reduction already achieved in testing, which could also be headed for future regular 86 models. The transmission options for a hybrid 86 are also unclear, with all production Toyota hybrids to date using decidedy un-86 automatic transmissions. Yes the existing 86 model is available in auto-guise, but a manual option would be key in winning over enthusiast buyers.  The sequential manual fitted to the Yaris Hybrid-R concept suggests that such a transmission could be headed to future production hybrids, and could be an ideal solution for a hybrid 86 variant. This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn  

The sunshine fun runner is ready to go, but the giant Japanese maker has no plans to fire it up until the spring thaw on the economic front. Instead, it is pushing ahead with plans for three sports models based on the landmark 86, as well as a second generation of the coupe.“There are several speculations about the model. Our stance on the situation has not changed,” the chief engineer of the 86, Tetsuya Tada, tells Carsguide as he visits Australia for his car's first birthday party. “From a technical point of view, there is no problem. Everything is ready. But from the business point of view… unfortunately, in most of the world it is not a good condition.“The European economic conditions are not good. And the sports car market is going down.” But 86 fans will be happy to know that Tada and his team are pressing ahead, already developing a new shock absorber-wheel-tyre combination that will soon be available for the car. A brief run in Canberra shows the set-up adds grip and stability, although there could be a trade-off in ride comfort and road noise.There is also likely to be a 2.5-litre engine, to provide the torque that's currently missing from the torque and also to balance the grippier new tyres. “We have already started many upgrades for the minor change. And, of course, next generation 86 also. Several parts for the upgrade are already finished. So now I'm thinking what is the best timing.“For Australia, so many people are waiting.  Now, at least, I must wait until we clear the order bank.” Tada has talked openly about plans for three sports cars for more than two years and says he has backing from the Toyota chief, Akio Toyoda. But he is only giving hints, not details.“86 is the mid-sized. So, one above and one below. Of course, we already study, above and below models.” But what is coming first? “Toyota is an affordable car maker. We should prepare a surprise. It should be exciting and attractive.”On the performance front, Tada still says it's up to tuning companies to put real punch into his car with turbocharger and supercharger installations. He knows that 86 buyers want more, but says they will be impossible to satisfy.“In my opinion, if we - Toyota - have a 250-horsepower engine then after a few months there would be complaints that there is not enough horsepower. The 86 concept is not about the pursuit of numbers, how much power or torque, or speed or acceleration time. That's really boring.”This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover 

The Toyota 86 sports coupe will likely follow the path of weight reduction for any significant future performance gains, rather than get a boost under the bonnet. The weight loss path was suggested at this week’s preview of a future performance wheel/tyre/damper package for the 86, with chief engineer Tetsuya Tada admitting his team was looking at a number of potential performance upgrades to maintain market demand throughout the model life -- but not specifying what’s in store for the acclaimed sports coupe. He did indicate a preference for weight reduction over power boosts –  be it via increased capacity or forced induction – as either would require reinforcement to the 86’s driveline and structure, which would result in a weight gain that would likely diminish the purity of the 86’s drive experience.   The 86 engineering team has explored both options already, with Tada-san telling of a simultaneous experiment with prototypes featuring each approach. One prototype was tuned for an extra 50kW over the existing versions 147kW output, and the second had 100kg of weight removed, with the 147kW engine remaining. “The one with less weight was much more fun than the one with increased power,” he says, but would not be drawn on which prototype was faster.   He also nominated the recent 86 TRD Griffon concept as his favourite among the several 86-based concepts that have appeared in the last 18 months. Significantly, the Griffon’s key feature was its 227kg weight reduction over the production model, through the replacement of most exterior panels with carbon fibre, while maintaining the standard spec engine. But Tada-san scuppered any hopes of a production version of the TRD Griffon, suggesting the cost of the composite bodywork would result in an asking price approaching the also-carbon bodied $700,000 Lexus LFA supercar. His philosophy of removing weight in lieu of gaining power was famously championed by the late founder of Lotus; Colin Chapman, though Tada-san declined to acknowledge any link between the UK sports carmaker and his own 86 philosophy. Such an approach has certainly etched Lotus’ place in motoring legend, and we expect it would similarly help cement the 86’s position. This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn  

Toyota has given Australian media the first sneak peak at a new range of performance tweaks for its 86 sports car. Despite the 86 -- and its Subaru BRZ twin -- drawing worldwide acclaim since its global unveiling in early 2012, hardcore performance fans have been crying out for a performance boost to the already dynamic sports coupe. The aftermarket has been quick to answer this demand, with a huge variety of power-up, handling and aesthetic upgrades appearing around the globe. The tuned 86 prototype shown to the media in Canberra this week sports larger 18 by 7.5 inch (up from the GT model’s 16x6.5 and GTS’s 17x7 standard specs) BBS forged alloy wheels with staggered width 215mm front and 225mm rear '86' branded Dunlop Direzza R-spec tyres (up from GT’s 205mm and GTS’ 215mm spec) , plus specifically tuned non-adjustable Sachs dampers on all corners. The 86’s standard springs, swaybars, and suspension bushes are unchanged, and all are intended to leave Toyota’s factory warranty unaffected, and to be made available for both new and used 86 owners. The grippier tyres and more focused dampers are likely to improve the 86’s cornering stability, while the 18 inch wheels better fill the wheelarches for a subtle aesthetic gain. Chief engineer of the 86 project Tetsuya Tada admits that the upgrades are the first of many under consideration, and are intended to maintain demand for the model once the existing order banks are cleared. Toyota Australia’s sales and marketing boss Tony Cramb confirmed the existing local waiting list spreads from 3-6 months, depending on model, colour, and transmission choice, and he expects to satisfy pent-up demand by early 2014.  This first upgrade follows Tada-san’s statement at the Australian launch of the 86 last year: “The dynamic potential of the 86 should not rely on high-performance tyres, but customers who opt to buy high-performance tyres will be pleasantly surprised at the net performance gain.” Subaru Australia have already put a toe in this water with the largely aesthetic S pack for the BRZ earlier this year, and the “tuned by STi” BRZ  tS that appeared online this week looks to take enhancement a step further with a carbon fibre rear wing, Brembo brakes and Recaro seat upgrades. Subaru’s production plans for the  BRZ tS are yet to be confirmed however.  The new enhancements for the 86 were developed in Japan by Tada’s engineering team, so should rival any aftermarket alternative in complementing the 86’s basic engineering. Asked when the new hot bits might be available for sale, Tada-san refused to suggest timing or possible pricing, but asserted that they may arrive simultaneously with new exterior and interior enhancement options, across several international markets.  Tada did confirm that the wheel/tyre/damper package has already passed Toyota’s internal quality evaluation process, and their availability is now up to Toyota’s marketeers. Owners seeking a cohesive factory-approved boost to their 86’s performance should keep their fingers crossed. This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn