Toyota 86 Prototype 2011 Review

Supra, Sprinter, Celica and MR2 may all be names now confined to the pages of Toyota's history books, but a long-awaited new chapter in the Japanese brand's sporting portfolio has been unveiled to motoring.com.au at its spiritual home, Fuji Speedway.

Entering the front straight in front of an estimated 20,000-strong crowd, on hand to celebrate the Gazoo Racing Festival, '86' was piloted by none other than company head, Akio Toyoda.

Once stopped Toyoda thanked Toyota fans for their patience, grinning through the open driver's door of the burnt orange coupe.

Nearly a decade after its last sports-orientated production car was sold in Australian showrooms, Toyota's new compact rear-wheel drive coupe has been revealed to a swathe of Japanese and selected international motoring journalists eager to sit behind the wheel of a car teased through five iterations since the first 'FT-86' concept model debuted at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

Developed in close conjunction with Subaru, 86 (or Hachi Roku in its native Japanese), as it is officially known, will be powered by a horizontally-opposed D-4S directed injected four-cylinder engine installed front-midship to better improve balance in what Toyota recognises as its "pursuit of ideal handling".

Drawing a [very] long bow, Toyota claims this drivetrain combination can trace its origins to the 1965 Toyota Sports 800 -- a successful player in endurance races of the day. The 800, Toyota says, was a "spiritual predecessor" to the 86, a car it says is the latest in a long line of sports models that include the world-class 2000GT (1967), Toyota 7 (1968) and twins, Corolla Levin (AE86) and Sprinter Trueno (1983-1987).

These grass roots racers have imparted their DNA into the 86, Toyota referring to it as "a sign of its strong wishes and intentions to give the world a fun sportscar without the high performance pricetag".

Although that part of the equation is yet to be confirmed, a Toyota spokesperson told motoring.com.au that "it will start with a three". Our money is on the higher end of the $30,000 bracket.

The Obayashi Road (a short circuit at the back of Fuji Speedway) was ours for three very short laps (one out, one flying, one in) in which we had the opportunity to put Hachi Roku through its paces.

The car's free revving square bore Boxer engine (86 x 86mm) sounds decidedly un-Toyota as it reaches quickly for the redline, second and third gear the pick of our short course.

Diving down the front straight, 86 chirps the back wheels as we flick into third gear, quickly finding the limits of the small coupe as we ignore the braking marker for a hotter entry into a series of tight, undulating turns. Here, it's apparent this is not a tarted up shopping trolley, but a well balanced, nimble package committed drivers will enjoy.

With a generous push from the right foot in second gear, 86 breaks into a well-controlled oversteer, the quick steering rack enabling rapid response, easily breaking across from left to right and left again through a narrow 'S' bend at the fast downhill end of the track.

The 147kW/205Nm engine doesn't exactly have the torque to prolong lurid oversteer, but it doesn't lack for momentum either pushing 86 enthusiastically towards the next corner before the progressive four-wheel disc brakes haul it quickly to arrest.

Toyota says the 86 was all about refining the "sensory impact required in a sportscar". A low seating position (400mm hip point), direct steering feel and responsive pedal action offer a feeling long missing from the Big T's range. Despite its hard top, 86 feels similar to the Mazda MX-5 in terms of drivability and response, albeit with a little more brawn.

The low centre of gravity (460mm) of 86 is a key factor in the car's balance and is the first time since the Sport 800 a Toyota production car has featured figures this low. The quick shifting six-speed manual feels decidedly Subaru, and is as apparent as many other mechanicals in terms of "feel" beneath Toyota's driver-focussed "neo functionalism" interior.

Although not designed for easy entry and egress, the cabin does offer enough room for four(ish) passengers in a 2+2 configuration. The foldable rear seat allowing room enough for four spare wheels… Or two sets of golf clubs.

Toyota promised us the 86 would not be a re-make, but something that can be loved and that will evolve with its owners. For once, we're inclined to agree.

And although a longer drive would have been nice, it's clear from our brief stint behind the wheel that those who enjoy the purity of a simple and well balanced mechanical package will enjoy the 86… And may even see it become a future classic.

The Toyota 86 will be launched in Australia on June 8 (think about it….) next year. Specification and pricing will be confirmed closer to the date.