SEMA: Toyota 86 goes targa-top

A targa-top version of Toyota's popular 86 coupe, known as the Scion FR-S in the US, will take pride of place at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas next week.

The official Toyota concept, dubbed the Scion FR-S T1, was created by Jeremy Lookofsky of Cartel Customs and is backed by the Japanese brand, which will also show customised versions of the Scion tC and xB.

Painted Azzuro California Blue, the open-top 86 features a black removable targa top and all-new sheetmetal featuring a more prominent integrated rear spoiler.

Of course, it rides on lower suspension and bigger wheels – in this case custom 19-inch forged alloys – and packs a number of other chassis and engine upgrades.

They include a high-mounted custom centre exhaust, GReddy street turbo kit, KW coil-over suspension, Wilwood Big Brake Kit with custom nickel-plated finish and an OEM Audio+ System 400 stereo with Pioneer AVIC-8000NEX head unit.

“It’s an honor being involved with Scion for the seventh consecutive year, bringing design concepts to reality and setting the bar for the SEMA Show,” Lookofsky said.

“We have won two Mothers design awards and SEMA fan favourite awards throughout the years, and I’m pretty confident our FR-S will come home on a positive note as well.”

As we've reported, speculation continues to surround the arrival of an official production version of the 86 Open convertible concept, and Toyota is also expected to produce turbo-AWD, hybrid and even four-door versions of its affordable rear-drive boxer coupe.