Meet the Toyota "Hachiroku"

[Yokohammer]

It had to happen: sports cars are coming back into fashion, and Toyota isn't planning to be left behind.

Toyota Motor Corp. introduced its new 86 coupe Saturday, betting that the 200-horsepower sports car will widen the automaker's appeal beyond its best- selling Camry sedan and Prius hybrid.

Toyota puts pedal to metal with 86 coupe



I'll reserve personal judgement until I see one of these things in the metal, but it looks interesting.

[Coligny]

Pictures are hard to come by...

mah bad here they got a some:
http://www.worldcarfans.com/111112738520/toyota-gt-86-officially-revealed

Bits of the tail from the new mark X...

Sort of too totoya ish... sideview a bit depressing... No beauty queen... How much around the Nurburgring ?

[Yokohammer]

[Coligny]

Still prefer...



(Juke Type R)

[Yokohammer]

Still prefer... (Juke Type R)

Yeah, I like the way the Juke looks too. Definitely funky, in sort of the way a bulldog is funky and adorable compared to a greyhound, which is fast and functional ... and possibly adorable. But when it comes to response and handling a somewhat lower center of gravity would probably be called for.

BTW ... weird spoiler(s) on that Juke Type R. Not a big fan of spoilers because they don't really do anything unless you're moving at speeds that don't even exist on the Juke speedometer.

[6810]

It had to happen: sports cars are coming back into fashion, and Toyota isn't planning to be left behind.

Toyota puts pedal to metal with 86 coupe



I'll reserve personal judgement until I see one of these things in the metal, but it looks interesting.

Just watching "News Every" right now. According to the companies involved (Toyota & Fuji Heavy [aka Subaru]) this car is marketed for women!

[Yokohammer]

Just watching "News Every" right now. According to the companies involved (Toyota & Fuji Heavy [aka Subaru]) this car is marketed for women!

It's taking me a a while to get all the relevant info together. It was only about an hour ago that I learned that the thing has a Subaru "boxer" engine but with Toyota fuel injection (I think it was). Kind of an interesting combination.

But ... for women!? WTF?
I didn't see that nugget of information in any of the sources I found today. But then again, some people say the Porsche Boxster is a girl's car, but loads of guys drive the things and swear by them (and I'm not talking about hairdressers either). If it was pink with Hello Kitty decor I'd understand, but generally the whole girl's car vs. guy's car discussion doesn't make a lot of sense to your humble Hammer.

Marketing ... sheesh ...

[BigInJapan]

Just watching According to the companies involved (Toyota & Fuji Heavy [aka Subaru]) this car is marketed for women!

Subaru is not just involved, they have a "sister" model, the BRZ (216a).



Toyota FT86 on the left, and the Subaru BRZ (216a) on the right.
The Toyota will be known as the Scion FR-S outside of Japan, just to confuse things.
Carscoop has been following the progress of the FT86 since the rumour stage: Carscoop
Some info on the Subaru BRZ also on Carscoop.
- So, Toyota and Subaru have unveiled their new sports cars, anything coming from Honda? (I had a CRX decades ago, and I was sorely disappointed to see its successor the CRZ...).

[Coligny]

Yeah, I like the way the Juke looks too. Definitely funky, in sort of the way a bulldog is funky and adorable compared to a greyhound, which is fast and functional ... and possibly adorable. But when it comes to response and handling a somewhat lower center of gravity would probably be called for.

BTW ... weird spoiler(s) on that Juke Type R. Not a big fan of spoilers because they don't really do anything unless you're moving at speeds that don't even exist on the Juke speedometer.

As I say... a face only a mother can love...

Give a try to the Juke AWD Dig Turbo... 190 ps... 140kw, all torque available from 2000 to 5200 rpm (240 N.m)

[Coligny]

But ... for women!? WTF?
I didn't see that nugget of information in any of the sources I found today. But then again, some people say the Porsche Boxster is a girl's car, but loads of guys drive the things and swear by them (and I'm not talking about hairdressers either). If it was pink with Hello Kitty decor I'd understand, but generally the whole girl's car vs. guy's car discussion doesn't make a lot of sense to your humble Hammer.

Marketing ... sheesh ...

Subaruz are famously driven only by lesbiunz in the US...

[Yokohammer]

So, Toyota and Subaru have unveiled their new sports cars, anything coming from Honda? (I had a CRX decades ago, and I was sorely disappointed to see its successor the CRZ...).

The only thing I know that Honda are doing (have already done?) is a reissue of their incredibly popular BEAT "kei" cabriolet.

I spent an afternoon buzzing around in a CR-Z when I was shopping for a sports car, and it was actually kind of fun, but the general consensus is that it's nowhere near as zippy as the CR-X was. But since the CR-Z is their current sorta-sports vehicle, I doubt we'll see any surprises in the near future.

[Coligny]

The only thing I know that Honda are doing (have already done?) is a reissue of their incredibly popular BEAT "kei" cabriolet.

Still at the blueprint stage it seems...

[Yokohammer]

Still at the blueprint stage it seems...

What blueprint? They used to make the darn things. All they need to do is take the tarpaulin off the factory, pour in some nuts and bolts and steel wool, and press the "go" button! [SIZE="1"](I know, I know ...).[/SIZE]

They'd better get their butskis in gear on this one or they'll miss the boat (again).

[Coligny]

From what I read they were planning a replacement, not a new run. The tooling for he original beat has certainly been reconverted long time ago, I bet the body panels dies have been remelted quite fast.

Usually it's impossible the make a new production run of a 10 year old design. Don't think you can 'grand father' the former homologations. And there is no way it's still up to the current regulation (polution/safety/dead hookers capacity of the trunk).

Plus, the original design was from Pininfarina. Don't even know if they still have the rights on this.

[Mike Oxlong]

According to MotorTrend, it will not be a "kei", but targeted at the same crowd that might drive a Mazda MX-5.

[Yokohammer]

According to MotorTrend, it will not be a "kei", but targeted at the same crowd that might drive a Mazda MX-5.

Interesting. Thanks for the link. I had just assumed it was going to be a bolt-for-bolt reissue. A 1.3~1.5 liter advanced VTEC engine with dual-clutch transmission could make for a cool little car, especially if they really can make it weigh less than 2200 lbs (that's under 1,000 kg!).

Unfortunately, chances are I won't even fit in the thing (even the MX5 is too small for me).

[Mike Oxlong]

A friend of mine who retired down here drives a Beat. He's average height at 5'11" or so, and it's a helluva squeeze. But on the extremely congested local roads, the car's a good fit.

[Coligny]

I fit moar easily inside a Daihatsu Copen than on a standard Note... You can't always tell the size of the seating by the size of the car...

The Renault Twingo has always been famous for it's confort for overweight people despite being the smallest car in the lineup...

[Yokohammer]

I fit moar easily inside a Daihatsu Copen than on a standard Note... You can't always tell the size of the seating by the size of the car...

The Renault Twingo has always been famous for it's confort for overweight people despite being the smallest car in the lineup...

True. If you want to talk Nissan, I'm quite comfortable in a Tiida, which is not exactly a huge car. On the other hand, I will burst every seam on a March if you try to fit me in.

It's more about leg room and steering-wheel-to-knee clearance really. I "fit" in an MX5, for example, but my knees end up jammed up against the bottom of the steering wheel, which can make for some seriously dicey driving. Comfort and safety sort of go hand in hand.

[Greji]

My Land Cruiser 4WD is still a tank, but it is extremely handy when you want to run over a French guy in a Daihatsu Copen.....

[BigInJapan]

According to MotorTrend, it will not be a "kei", but targeted at the same crowd that might drive a Mazda MX-5.

Interesting to see that the Beat is making a comeback. I heard that they have a bit of a cult following in the UK, which would mean that 6'+ giants can fit in them (albeit cramped). I drove a co-workers MX-5 once and it wasn't too bad (might have been a different story with the top up though).
As Hammer mentioned, leg-room and knee clearance is indeed the clincher. I can't fit in dad-in-law's kei-tora which sucks. Also tried to squeeze into a friend's Cappuccino years ago, that was a no-go.

[matsuki]

Been following this car forever and hopefully ordering one soon.



Marketed towards women? Nope, not sure where you heard that but the Pres of Toyota himself went against the marketing bastards to make sure the car was made for drivers, not marketing details. In other words, it will impress you when you drive it but the highest bariki or fastest car it is not. Looks like production weight is 1180kgs = 2,601 lbs. Lightweight, slightly underpowered but should handle like a dream with such a low center of gravity and the MR configuration. Design-wise, I wish it looked more like the FT-86 II concept instead of getting a 2000GT-esque rounding treatment for production...but I'm sure it cosmetic surgery with aftermarket parts will fix the main gripes there. The interior is simple and clean.

[YT]pbJQdPuhlrU[/YT]
Love the shitty translation...why not have someone that knows cars and can pronounce English translate? TIJ...

Subaru's BRZ varient (basically the same car with some cosmetic differences and Subaru branding) will also be interesting.

[matsuki]

Oh...and this is the second concept I was hoping it would look more like...

[waruta]

Been following this car forever and hopefully ordering one soon.



Marketed towards women? Nope, not sure where you heard that but the Pres of Toyota himself went against the marketing bastards to make sure the car was made for drivers, not marketing details. In other words, it will impress you when you drive it but the highest bariki or fastest car it is not. Looks like production weight is 1180kgs = 2,601 lbs. Lightweight, slightly underpowered but should handle like a dream with such a low center of gravity and the MR configuration. Design-wise, I wish it looked more like the FT-86 II concept instead of getting a 2000GT-esque rounding treatment for production...but I'm sure it cosmetic surgery with aftermarket parts will fix the main gripes there. The interior is simple and clean.

Is that Ebisu circuit I see? Also hoping that those bucket seats will make the final production model, but probably wishing too much...This car reminds me of the Celica or MR2, both not the most powerful or fastest car out there, but a lot of fun and very well balanced until they decided to boost the HP...

[matsuki]

Sure looks like Ebisu but I think this was held at Fuji. (I wasn't there...but will see it in person tomorrow at Tokyo Big Sight)

Bucket seats without a roll cage...dangerous combination. With the engine lacking in power, I'm sure alot of aftermarket focus will be on lightening the thing as much as possible. I know I for one will be trying to find every bolt/nut I can replace on it. (with titanium! won't be cheap but no sacrifice except the wallet with that)

[Coligny]

My Land Cruiser 4WD is still a tank, but it is extremely handy when you want to run over a French guy in a Daihatsu Copen.....

That might make a good pr0n scenario... necrophiliac crash pr0n...

I'll just be carefull when I see Toyota Jihadmobiles with the leaf sign...

[waruta]

Sure looks like Ebisu but I think this was held at Fuji. (I wasn't there...but will see it in person tomorrow at Tokyo Big Sight)

Bucket seats without a roll cage...dangerous combination. With the engine lacking in power, I'm sure alot of aftermarket focus will be on lightening the thing as much as possible. I know I for one will be trying to find every bolt/nut I can replace on it. (with titanium! won't be cheap but no sacrifice except the wallet with that)

You know that usually in any form of racing (mine is motorbikes), everyone in hell-bent on lightening the frame, add-ons and whatnot, but it's usually cheaper to lighten the rider It costs astronomical amounts to pare down 10-20 kg from a 150kg bike, but that amount is easily lost amongst us FG'ers. (Unless of course you are talking about the competition in which the average Japanese rider has the weight of an anorexic high school gyaru and comparable in size to a professional jockey; double win for them in terms of aerodynamics and weight) (sigh)

I think the first mods will be a Subie turbo unit bolted on to the NA engine and probably suspension mods all around. Throw out all the back seats and extraneous material for comfort and you'd probably lose about 50-100kg depending....

[Coligny]

Been following this car forever and hopefully ordering one soon.

You're barely out of diapers and want to buy a sports car ?

Be kind enought to start with a beat up hatchback that wont kill you and the first optimistic corner under the rain. Then when you discover how driving in Japan is a dreadfull task void of any possible fun, put your money either into savings or into this:

At least it will keep you safe from the other idiots on the road.



(Renault Saviem VAB 6x6, as usual, tell them I send you, they'll ive you a free keyholder)

[Coligny]

[quote="waruta"]You know that usually in any form of racing (mine is motorbikes), everyone in hell-bent on lightening the frame, add-ons and whatnot, but it's usually cheaper to lighten the rider It costs astronomical amounts to pare down 10-20 kg from a 150kg bike, but that amount is easily lost amongst us FG'ers. (Unless of course you are talking about the competition in which the average Japanese rider has the weight of an anorexic high school gyaru and comparable in size to a professional jockey]

Speaking of mods, I (really) desperately need some Narva driving lights, but they don't seems to have a japanese importer. Do you know if their is a japanese newspaper/magasine aboot rally cross where I could find adress for these kind of shops ? the usual crap a the local combini is as usual more geared toward hello kitty steering covers...

[matsuki]

You know that usually in any form of racing (mine is motorbikes), everyone in hell-bent on lightening the frame, add-ons and whatnot, but it's usually cheaper to lighten the rider It costs astronomical amounts to pare down 10-20 kg from a 150kg bike, but that amount is easily lost amongst us FG'ers. (Unless of course you are talking about the competition in which the average Japanese rider has the weight of an anorexic high school gyaru and comparable in size to a professional jockey]

Haha, indeed...I'm at 75kg now but as my body fat % goes into the single digits, my weight goes up

Same engine mounts as the Suby EJ engine series, intentionally....there will be swaps galore. Not planning on that, not right away at least.

You're barely out of diapers and want to buy a sports car ?

Be kind enought to start with a beat up hatchback that wont kill you and the first optimistic corner under the rain. Then when you discover how driving in Japan is a dreadfull task void of any possible fun, put your money either into savings or into this:

At least it will keep you safe from the other idiots on the road.

Hey Coligny, this baby's last car was a 550hp Lexus SC300. (got my hands on a pretty hardcore engine/turbo/ECU/trans setup from a pretty well known tuner that was parting out their demo vehicle) Way overkill for my weekend jaunts but was pretty fun on the highways and I was able to swap over my OEM A/C (Before that was a rally spec AWD Celica with WRC homogilation goodies like Water/Air intercooler and anti-lag.)

Of course that boat of a Lexus was back in LA where space was abundant...here in Japan, driving the company minivan around Tokyo was enough to convince me to think small and nimble. (though the Vitz I rented last week felt like it was going to blow over when it got windy on a bridge crossing) I'm more worried about getting loan approval...being FG doesn't do much for you in terms of credit eligibility here.