Autoblog

Gazoo Racing teases Toyota GT86-based concept for Tokyo Auto Salon

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Toyota, Tokyo Auto Salon

The Tokyo Auto Salon will welcome a Toyota GT86 (known here as the Scion FR-S) tuned by Gazoo Racing, said to be called the GRMN Sports FR Concept Platinum. We only get the briefest of teasers right now before the show begins on January 11, so we don't have much to go on beyond a unique lower front fascia and headlight treatment, a hood with at least one scoop, and a giant wing with unique LED taillights out back.

Assuming this coupe is a further development of the GRMN Sports FR Concept from earlier in 2012, it will likewise use a twin-charged version of the 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder and put out something like 330 horsepower and 318 pound-feet of torque. We'll get the rest of the skinny in about two weeks, so for now, there's a gallery of other teased angles above.

Gazoo Racing teases Toyota GT86-based concept for Tokyo Auto Salon originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Dec 2012 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Buy a Toyota GT86 and your wife will hate you

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Scion, Subaru, Toyota

Marketing can be a very strange business. Convincing a man or woman (or child, really) that they absolutely cannot live without the latest, greatest new bit of technology oftentimes takes a unique approach. In the "online film promoting the Toyota GT86" you'll see below, created by agency Happiness Brussels, men are reverse-psychologied into thinking a new sports coupe will make them more masculine by getting their loved ones to hate them. Or something like that. We think.

In any case, we suggest you watch the video below to see how much fun men can have with a GT86 - or Scion FR-S or Subaru BRZ, presumably - at the expense of their significant others. Fair warning: There's a potential Not Safe For Work moment in the ad: beware of a brief male butt shot about 44 seconds in.

Marketing. Gotta love it. Unless you're married to a man. Or something like that. We think. Whatever, just watch.

Continue reading Buy a Toyota GT86 and your wife will hate you

Buy a Toyota GT86 and your wife will hate you originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota GT86 to make British motorsport debut in Britcar 24 Hours wearing AE86 livery [w/video]

George Kennedy — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Toyota, UK, Design/Style

If you liked the Martini Racing Porsche 918 Spyder we just brought you, then you ought to dig this, too. Toyota is bringing back its Team Toyota GB livery for the GT 86 entry into the Britcar 24 Hours. Unlike the the classically decorated 918, we can confirm that the so-hot-right-now Toyota coupe will actually be racing.

The livery harkens back to the AE86 of the raging 80s for the Japanese-British race team. Successfully campaigned by Tiff Needell and others, it took on the likes of an Atari-sponsored Mitsubishi Starion. How's that for getting your 80s fix?

Team Toyota GB ran with great success in the British Touring Car and British Rally Championships in the 80s and early 90s. The rendering released by Toyota, seen above, boasts the livery of that heyday in lightweight Japanese racing.

This will not be the first time that Toyota has entered a GT 86 in competition. The Japanese automaker ran it at the Nürburgring 24 hours, but Toyota has now decided to pull at the heartstrings of nostalgic race fans.

We can't wait to see what this throwback racer will look like for real when it runs at the Britcar 24 at Silverstone, on September 22 and 23. Click below to watch a video of Tiff Needell carving it up in an original AE86.

Continue reading Toyota GT86 to make British motorsport debut in Britcar 24 Hours wearing AE86 livery [w/video]

Toyota GT86 to make British motorsport debut in Britcar 24 Hours wearing AE86 livery [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Watch Toyota celebrate UAE launch of GT 86

Zach Bowman — Wed, 30 May 2012 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Toyota, Middle East

Toyota has officially launched the company's GT 86 sportscar in the United Arab Emirates. The Japanese automaker rolled out the rear-drive hero with a fancy new video shot in the hills around Fujairah. With plenty of drifting, tire smoke and slow motion, the clip serves as a proper introduction to the lightweight coupe. Judging by the quick video, there are a few market-specific changes to the UAE Toyota GT 86, including the availability of one very massive rear wing. The piece has more than a passing resemblance to the exaggerated aero work found on the lusty Subaru WRX STI sedan.

Will the Toyota GT 86 find favor in the UAE? We certainly think it's got a shot. If there's a more car-obsessed culture on this planet than the one found in the U.S., it lies in the well-funded Middle East. You can check out the launch video for yourself by scrolling below, or head over to the Toyota UAE Facebook page for a little more information.

Continue reading Watch Toyota celebrate UAE launch of GT 86

Watch Toyota celebrate UAE launch of GT 86 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 May 2012 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota GT 86 lets new boxer engine rev in latest vid

Chris Shunk — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Videos, Toyota

Toyota is an auto sales juggernaut, but when it comes to sports cars, the Japanese automaker tends to come up exceptionally short. That should change with the introduction of the Toyota GT 86 in Europe and Scion FR-S in North America, both of which promise rear-drive fun and a reasonable price tag. So far we've seen the 86 in person and we've snapped plenty of pics, but we haven't had the chance to hear the 2.0-liter boxer engine rev.

That changes all changes thanks to a three-minute video that is big on CGI and funky techno music. Hit the jump to watch the animated 86 in action. You'll see the boxer four assembled out of mid air, wrapped in 86 sheet metal and driven to the virtual limit. The video is very Forza meets Gran Turismo and the music a bit overpowering, but the sound of the new boxer engine makes it a must-watch.

Continue reading Toyota GT 86 lets new boxer engine rev in latest vid

Toyota GT 86 lets new boxer engine rev in latest vid originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota GT 86 sports car revealed [w/video]

Alex Nunez — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 22:25:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota

It's no secret that the Toyota FT-86 will finally make its production-spec debut next week at the Tokyo Motor Show, and ahead of that, the automaker's UK office has released the first official photos and some initial specs. In Europe, the car will officially be called the Toyota GT 86. In Japan, however, the car will simply be called 86.

Cutting right to the chase, here are the specs that are now official, from the Toyota UK announcement. Obviously, there's more to come:

2.0-liter boxer with D4-S injection (direct and port injected)
197 hp @ 7,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft (205 Nm) @6,600 rpm
6-speed manual or automatic transmissions
17-inch wheel/tire package standard
4,240mm (167 in.) long, 1285mm (50.6 in.) high, 2,570mm (101 in.) wide
53:47 front-to-rear weight distribution
475mm (18.7 in.) center of gravity

As demonstrated in the photos, everything is basically in line with what we've seen so far in the various leaked materials. So, start getting excited. In addition to the sharp styling outside, the interior looks the business, and the "86" fender logo is just plain cool. The GT 86 goes on sale in the UK next June.

We'll be on hand in Tokyo for the official reveal at the end of the coming week, with plenty more then. In the meantime, peruse the photo gallery, then hit the jump for a video and the full press release.

Continue reading Toyota GT 86 sports car revealed [w/video]

Toyota GT 86 sports car revealed [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Nov 2011 22:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Eight-Six day has come and gone

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:56:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Japan, Hatchback, Toyota

Back in our misspent Dime ~~daze~~ days, we made the annual trek to Mt. Shasta to bathe in the glory of all things Datsun, but we were primarily there to compare notes and swap parts with other 510 fanatics. The date was easy to remember: May 10th. Little did we know that another group of enthusiasts had their own thing going over 5,000 miles away on another notable calendar day - August 6th.

"8-6" day, as it's come to be known, is an excuse for anyone with a Hachi to head down to the Nikko Circuit to spend a day ripping rubber around the track in celebration of their favorite commuter-cum-racer. AEU86 forum member, Miguel, was on hand for the festivities and snapped a ton of great shots, including the turbo'd Tec Arts AE86 and a number of very clean, and very fast, Hachis. Follow the 'Read' link below to check it out.

[Source: AEU86]

Eight-Six day has come and gone originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Aug 2007 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments