PanOrient News | Toyota to Launch Compact Sports Car '86' in Japan in April

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Toyota to Launch Compact Sports Car '86' in Japan in April

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Tokyo- (PanOrient News) Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) will launch the "86" compact rear-wheel-drive sports car, which was exhibited at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011 as a production prototype, on April 6 throughout Japan. In step with the launch of the 86, TMC will open "Area 86" specialty shops, where car enthusiasts can get together to talk about automobiles and where shop specialists can support car-owner activities aimed at helping give sports-car culture local roots, Toyota said in a press release.

The 86 was developed as a unique rear-wheel-drive vehicle, with intuitive handling, that embodies the essence of driving enjoyment and features the world's first horizontally opposed D-4S (direct injection four-stroke gasoline engine, superior version) engine installed front mid-ship. Adoption of a package consisting of the world's only horizontally opposed engine coupled to an ultra-low-center-of-gravity (460 mm) rear-wheel-drive system offers fun driving at a level unprecedented in earlier sports cars.

The newly developed horizontally opposed D-4S engine provides a maximum output of 200 horsepower (PS), and the synergistic effect of an aerodynamically superior form and light weight (1,190 kg, RC grade), result in fuel efficiency of 13.4 km/L under the JC08 test cycle outlined by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

The line-up includes the standard G grade; the luxury GT grade, which includes projector-type discharge headlights, 17-inch aluminum wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and parking brake lever, and an aluminum pedal; the GT "Limited" grade, which adds seat coverings made of leather and Alcantara (and heated driver and front-passenger seats), and a rear spoiler; as well as the RC grade, which is suitably customizable for serving as a base vehicle for racing. Seven body colors to accentuate the elegantly aesthetic beauty of the vehicle and a choice of either black or red for the interior are available.

The 86, with numerous dealer-installed interior and exterior customization and tuning parts, carries on the spirit of the AE86 in its aim to be a car that evolves with its owner.

In step with the launch of the 86, TMC will set up 283 Area 86 shops at dealer locations throughout Japan, where specialists will provide comprehensive, expert advice and services to car enthusiasts. Designed as a place where sports-car enthusiasts can gather, Area 86 shops will exhibit the 86, provide it for test-driving, and distribute information related to sports cars, with the aim of becoming places where people can be immersed in the fun of automobiles.

In collaboration with Area 86 shops, TMC will help owners fully experience their 86s by providing various materials on 86 mountain passes in Japan deemed most suitable for enjoyable driving of the 86. TMC also plans to undertake activities together with sports-car enthusiasts to aid in further building sports-car culture over the long term, such as setting up an 86 owners website, producing merchandise featuring the 86 logo in collaboration with companies from other industries and holding an 86-only race (targeted for 2013).

TMC has combined the numerals "8" and "6" to create a symbolic "intuitive handling" 86 monogram, and will use the monogram on 86-specific merchandise and at promotional events.

PanOrient News