Tag Archives: 086A

The internal Toyota codename for the FT-86 Development project.

2012 Toyota 86: HR Interviewed for Drive

April 28, 2012 in HR Originals by

We got a call late last year about an article Drive was putting together to put into The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. They were writing an article on the new Toyota 86 being released in Australia and wanted the feeling from the AE86 enthusiast community about Toyota’s new car, so we happily obliged.  Drive Journalist, Matthew Campbell and I spent a while in a lengthy interview, so long that they cut a bunch of it out of the final article (pictured above), so here it is in it’s entirety.

Matthew Campbell: What made you get involved with AE86s?

Garth Ivers: They are a fun car with endless types of modification paths you can take. The guys and gals who buy them are usually very much into self-serve, DIY mechanics and fabrication and down to earth, great people.

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Exclusive: Australian 2012 86 Details Revealed!

March 6, 2012 in General by

Whilst in Japan in February, we made a trip to the Toyota factory in Nagoya (yep, that’s my ugly mug in the picture above) and were lucky enough to get a good hands-on look at a Japanese-market Toyota 86 on display.  Displayed in the ever popular orange metallic, it really seems a lot smaller in person: a real lithe looking lightweight sports machine.

It’s just as externally gorgeous with the interior even nicer than it looks in pictures. It really needs to be experienced in person to really get the true feeling.  The seating position is just like sitting in an AE86 – everything at the exact place you would expect it to be and super comfortable and low at that. Tall people need not worry, its got plenty of headroom, just watch yourselves in the rear seat – at 175cm, I was bumping the rear glass just sitting stationary!  Needless to say, after just sitting in the car, we we’re even more excited for the Aussie version of Toyota’s 2012 sportscar renaissance to be unveiled.

As it happens tonight, we managed to get an exclusive peek at the internal Toyota Australia sales brief document for their local release of the 2012 86 and it’s got some juicy info inside! Lets take a look:

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HOLY CRAP! FT-86 Leaked Brochure!

October 27, 2011 in General by

Start saving those pennies! Bodykit options, paint options, wow! Check it out translated at 7Tune here!

FT-86 ver.3: Scion FR-S

April 21, 2011 in General by

The name should say it all, FR-S. Scion says it stands for ‘Front engined, rear wheel drive sport’ and they aren’t kidding. Equipped with a six speed ‘sports-manual’ transmission (with optional paddle shift controls on the steering wheel for you F1 enthusiasts on a six speed auto) and a limited slip diff, the FR-S  really holds up to its name.

Based on the past history of manufacturers putting ‘sports’ monikers on otherwise standard cars with only a small up in power and some half-assed attempt at aero,  the new FT-86 concept variant from Scion really wants to show us it’s hachiroku heritage.

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The Second Coming: Toyota FT-86 II

March 2, 2011 in General by

Our brothers over at The Motor Report have some tasty image galleries and details of the new revision of the FT-86 Concept that was unleashed at the Geneva Motor show this week.  If you’re like me, you might not be as in love with this variation as the original or G’s and here’s why:

When compared to the original FT-86 concept, the second-generation is larger in almost every direction. Wheelbase remains unchanged, but width has grown by 35mm to 1795mm, and height by 10mm to 1270mm. The original concept is shorter also, measuring just 4160mm long.

When compared to an AE86, the ‘II’ is more like an RA28 Celica in size and wheelbase: Longer and sleeker. While this variation is definitely still a looker, my love still remains with the G’s concept from last year’s Tokyo Auto Salon. Let’s hope Toyota go two ways with the final release, show and go!

FT-86: New Photos & Art

March 11, 2010 in General by

For those of you out there who are as excited as we are about the FT-86,  head on over to the FT86club forums and check out a bunch of new shots released of the original concept and a bunch of its development art from the creators of this masterpiece; Toyota Europe Design Development!

FT86Club Forums

Jaromir Cech Talks FT-86

February 23, 2010 in General by

The senior designer of the FT-86 project Jaromir Cech talks to Autocar UK about the design philosophies and ideals behind the European-designed Toyota concept. Interesting to see the enthusiasm for the concept to go directly into production ‘as-is’ from Toyota Japan’s directors, with the hope of not changing much (if anything) from the concepts exterior look.  Lets hope they can get it past pedestrian safety checks and onto the road!

[Via 86ers]

FT-86 Will Be A Reality

February 9, 2010 in Random by

Jim Lentz, President & Chief Operating Officer of Toyota Motor Sales, USA has confirmed (via Digg Dialogg) the FT-86 will be coming to market, at least in the USA, somewhere in the near future.

The video features mostly interview questions on the current Toyota recalls, but at 14:26 a question arises about the future of sports car production at Toyota. To watch the video, head on over to Revision3.

Race Yourself in GT5

January 17, 2010 in General, Videos by

In extra FT-86 news is another nifty feature from those tech-heads at Polyphone Digital.  On display at the Toyota stand at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon is the Toyota FT-86 G’s Sports, which boasts an even sharper exterior and a world-first “GPS-track day” unit co-developed with the creators of the Gran Turismo franchise and automotive technology giant Denso.

So what’s so special about the unit, you ask? From what we’ve learned, you will be able to drive your real FT-86 around a real track — the Nurburgring, for example — and then remove the memory card from your car, plug it into your PS3 unit and either “watch” your lap virtually or race against yourself, as your real car appears as the “ghost car” that you battle against.

The GPS unit was tested in a fully race-prepped Lexus IS F at the Nurburgring last October. If you look closely at the FT-86’s dashboard in previous press photos, you will see an outline of Fuji Speedway, a lap timer and an altimeter — which hints at where Toyota is going with this technology.

Word from inside Toyota is that they plan to roll out the technology on “most” future models, with the first of course being the FT-86 in late 2012. Also, as has been previously reported, the Gran Turismo developers are also working on launching a 3D version of GT5 as soon as 3D TVs become available on the market. We’ve taken a quick demo spin of the 3D version, which looks fantastic in early builds. Of course, that assumes GT5 will ever be finished. Latest intel we have is late summer of this year at the earliest.

Check out the gallery at MotorTrend.

[Thanks, Nye!]

Turbo FT-86: The G Sports Concept

January 17, 2010 in General by

Since Tokyo Auto Salon is happening right now in Japan, we thought a special weekend update was in order!  The boys over at 7TUNE have the scoop on the latest FT-86 devleopment – the FT-86 G Sports Concept. It’s a turbocharged special tuned edition of the ‘revival hachiroku’, the FT-86 Concept. Is this the first time a concept has had its own tuner version before the actual car was released?

Adam from 7TUNE writes:

G’s and Toyota have been kind enough to offer me a closer look at the car so a feature is to follow but for now, let your minds wander over the huge proposition this car represents to the future of the aftermarket tuning industry.

Check the rest of the pics at 7TUNE and the live walk-around video from GT Channel after the jump.

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