The Toyota 86 (eight-six) is so named for being the aesthetic successor to the Toyota Corolla Levin AE86 series and the Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86 series, both produced in the 1980’s. Mutually developed by Toyota and Subaru, the 86 landed in South Africa in June this year and debuted on the 9th of July.
The Toyota's twin sister – the Subaru BRZ – shares almost every spec and line with the Toyota. The BRZ, also a rear-wheel drive with a Boxer-engine, produces almost identical power output of 149kw and 200hp at a top speed of 224km/h. A difference to note between the two cars is that the suspension on the BRZ is set up to be much stiffer that its Toyota counterpart. According to Subaru this is because the “handling integrity is critical”. Due to the high demand in other parts of the world, the BRZ is only due to be released in South Africa in the last quarter of 2012, and is currently being tested locally at altitude and for fuel stability.
Hailed as being the spearhead of a new direction for Toyota, the 86 is available in two ‘versions’: standard and high spec, with the high spec model also available with automatic paddle-shift transmission. All three models are produced with Subaru’s innovative new four-cylinder boxer engine, which is a nod to the Toyota Sports 800 - Toyota’s very first sport’s car that also used a boxer-style engine. The 86’s 2.0-litre engine is also the first horizontally opposed model that is fitted with Toyota’s D4-S direct fuel-injection system.
This combination delivers an alleged power output of 147kW at 7000 rpm and a respectable 205Nm at about 6500 rpm. The 86’s chassis is designed to complement the lightweight body (1257kgs) and combined with the low centre of gravity the car is very clearly designed to handle every tight corner with ease and finesse. This rear-wheel drive coupé’s top speed is claimed to be just over 220km/h while the all-important 0-100km/h dash should be done in about 7.2 seconds.
Specifications of the standard version’s exterior include colour-coded front and rear bumpers, a dual exhaust tail-pipe and diffuser, Halogen headlamps and 16” Alloy wheels. The high spec exterior features comprise of coloured door handles with SMART entry access and HID headlamps with automatic levelling. When it comes to the interior specifications both versions include a 3-spoke leather steering wheel, and aluminium accelerator, brake and clutch pedals while the high spec has digital and analogue speedometers inside the centered rev counter, reinforcing the sports feel of the 86.
Those who have been lucky enough to truly push the 86 and enjoy the ‘car that has been designed around the passionate driver’ assure us that the car feels impeccably balanced and handles like an extension of the driver’s thoughts. The ads contain the simple command “Go Play”, and one gets the sense that this is exactly what the 86 is designed to do. The design and functionality have created a car that inspires its driver and turns everyday roads into a track in the imagination.
The Toyota 86 will form a vital part of the auto giant’s new visual identity, and it must be said that the Toyota sales team is probably very excited to have a fun, exciting and stimulating car to sell!
So what’s the brass tax on one of these bad boys? According to Toyota South Africa the Standard Spec model is priced from R298500, while the high spec version starts at R329400 and tops out around R346500.
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Image sourced from toyota.co.za