After months of speculations and intense testings and preparations, the production version of the Toyota FT 86 is finally here. And while the design language remains faithful to the concept, Toyota has came with a surprise: they have changed the name. The car will be called GT 86 as a tribute to Toyota’s GT car heritage and the exhilarating drivability of the Corolla Levin AE86. Official debut will be made in just a few days in Tokyo.
The new GT 86 is based on an entirely new platform and features a low, highly aerodynamic bodyshell. Under the hoof it will get the same engine as its Subaru sibling: a 2.0 liter, naturally-aspirated petrol engine. However, for the Toyota model this engine will only deliver 300 HP, while Subaru has promised that their model will go up to about 300 HP. Customers will have to choose between a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
The car’s exterior design remains pretty much similar to the FT-86 II concept. This means an enlarged lower grille, bold "Soprion" styling to the lower grille, 17" wheels, a rear spoiler, twin rear exhausts and the "86" piston logo. But while the exterior is strictly oriented to sportiness, the interior is also offering a business allure and as Toyota promised is entirely driver-focused.
Despite the long we will still give the new GT 86 the prize for the most beautiful sports car of the year. The car is not only a sports car, but it also combines elegance with beauty and aggressiveness. Its true the exterior design brings nothing new as we have seen it both in the concept cars and leaked images, but it still impressed us.
Up front the GT 86 has received a new Toyota design language: Under Priority frontal design with an enlarged lower grille and a bold "Scorpion" styling to the lower grille. The car will sit on a 17" alloy wheels and at the rear will get a rear spoiler, twin rear exhausts and the "86" piston logo.
A sporty exterior has been combined with a driver-focus interior. The car’s cockpit is further reinforced by carbon effect trim, a sporting, all-black roof lining, red upholstery stitching, aviation-style rocker switchgear and lightweight aluminum pedals. It comes with a large tachometer that offers a at-a-glance visibility and readability during sports driving. The steering wheels measures only 365 mm, the smallest yet fitted to a Toyota and has been finished in buckskin finish. The front seat has been designed to offer great comfort, but also to prevent elbows from interfering with gearshift operation.
The new Toyota GT 86 measures just 4,240 mm long, only 1,285 mm high and with a wheelbase of 2,570 mm. It offers a near-perfect, 53:47 weight distribution and a center of gravity of only 475 mm.Under the hood you will find the same engine as in the upcoming Subaru BRZ production car. This means a 2.0 liter, naturally-aspirated petrol engine featuring Toyota’s D-4S technology. With separate twin injectors for both direct and port injection, and a high compression ratio of 12.5:1, D-4S increases power and torque over a wide range of engine speeds without sacrificing fuel efficiency and environmental performance.
In the Toyota model this engine will only deliver 200 HP at 7000 rpm and maximum torque of 151 lbs-ft at 6600 rpm, but Subaru has promised a total of 300 HP. The engine can be combined with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The manual transmission will offer quick, precise shifting via the highly engaging action of a tactile, short-throw lever, whilst the automatic transmission will be controlled by sporting, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts.
The engine’s power will be distributed to the rear wheels via a limited slip differential.
The new Toyota GT 86 will be making its world debut in just a few days at the Tokyo Auto Show and will go on sale in the summer of 2012. An official announcement for the North American market will most likely be made in Detroit.
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