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NEWS
2015 Toyota 86 sharper, stiffer
Better-handling, more responsive Toyota 86 for Europe mid-yearToyota Europe has announced an updated GT86 will go on sale in the EU from mid 2014, boasting sharper handling and response and subtle “blink and you’ll miss it” cosmetic changes.
Badged as an 86 in Australia and a Scion FR-S in the USA, European market Toyota GT86s get recalibrated shock absorbers that feature a new stabilising force technology for the 2015 model year, designed to improve at-the-limit control. It's not yet clear whether the chassis changes will be offered in Australia when an upgraded model arrives later in 2014.
“The Australian Toyota 86 will undergo an upgrade in the third quarter of this year but it's still a little too early to talk specifics, which will be announced at the time of the launch,” Toyota Australia's public relations manager, Mike Breen, told motoring.com.au.
According to the Toyota 86’s chief engineer, Tetsuya Tada, the updated 2015 model 86 will have crisper steering response and less body roll thanks to the damper tweaks, and the fact that the rear dampers are now directly attached to the body, improving dynamic control.
As we reported in 2013, it appears unlikely that Toyota will offer a high-output model that produces more power via turbocharging or hybridisation, focussing instead on refining the sports car’s acclaimed handling. As such the car's 2.0-litre boxer four-cylinder engine is likely to continue in its current state of tune, delivering 147kW and 205Nm output.
“GT86 is all about driver involvement, and we are committed to keep enhancing this aspect of the car,” said Tada of the rear-wheel drive car, which reignited interest in affordable sports cars (and Toyota design) when it arrived in Australia in June 2012.
The Toyota 86’s chief engineer explained the changes to the car’s damping rates and rear suspension change the way the car interacts with the road, resulting in “even better steering stability and a more communicative handling.
“We decided to change the way how suspension parts - including the rear shock absorbers - are attached to the chassis. This increases body rigidity, hence adds to better handling stability and response,” said Tada.
“Shock absorbers were also retuned. We used a new technology for stabilising damping force, and we improved friction control and responsiveness,” he added.
The car now gives the driver “that extra bit of control, especially when the car is driven on the limit,” said Tada, who also confirmed a handful of “subtle” cosmetic changes will distinguish the 2015 models from their progenitors.
Two changes to the car’s exterior will be enacted for the 2015 model year; the car’s pole antenna has been swapped out for a shark-fin item, which sharpens up the roofline and also helps the aerodynamics according to Tada, while two new exterior colours are available, silver and white.
Inside the Toyota GT86’s cabin is a new look faux carbon-fibre finish, “giving the cabin a sportier, better quality feel,” says Tada.
Scheduled to arrive in European dealerships in the northern Summer, roughly mid-year, it’s not clear when it will be offered in Australia.
Furthermore it remains to be seen if Australian deliveries of the Toyota 86 will get the same mechanical changes as European 2015 models, as Toyota Australia was unable to comment at the time of writing.
A Subaru Australia spokesman told motoring.com.au that he was “currently unaware of any changes for the upcoming model year BRZ”.
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Written byFeann Torr
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