MOTORING: Industry Giants TOYOTA and SUBARU join forces to create an Exhilarating, Lightweight, Rear-Wheel Drive Sports Car that’s “Affordable” and “Fun to Drive”

Here they are: The Toyota GT 86 (Toyota calls it the Scion FR-S in the United States) and Subaru BRZ. 

 

They are awesome. Here’s why:

• They’re rear-wheel-drive sports cars with flat-four boxer engines.
• They’re extremely light for what they are, weighing around 2,600 pounds.
• They’re nimble, agile and very sporty to drive.
• They’re MUCH more affordable than almost any other rear-drive sports coupe
• They’re gorgeous.
• Tested and Trusted build quality from two giants in reliable cars.

Currently on Sale around the world, anticipation of these cars was massive all through the auto industry, as the automakers finally unveiled them at the Tokyo auto show earlier this year. They were developed in a corporate partnership and are essentially the same car. 

Truly amazing cars, updating the classic Japanese sports coupes of the 1970s - with thoroughly modern direct-injection boxer engines bolted to a proper six-speed manual, or optional six-speed automatic with paddle shifters. 

2-Litre flat-four boxer engines generate 200 Horsepower/151 lb-ft of Torque and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 6 seconds (That’s tenths of a second faster that a 3.5-Litre V6 Honda Accord /Toyota Camry)

Click Here for more details as well as Industry experts comments on the GT86/FR-S/BRZ 

These cars were purpose-built to be exceptionally fun to drive, and priority was given to that, rather than generating excessively high engine output or acceleration figures – as found in much more expensive thoroughbreds such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Bugatti, etc  They are priced in about the same neighborhood as a Camry.  

The rear wheel drive layout delivers a more engaging, thorough driving experience as opposed to the cheaper to manufacture, higher fuel economy front wheel drive layout found in practically EVERY other japanese car.

 Tetsuya Tada, the Chief Engineer on the GT 86, said as much in an excellent interview with Bertell Schmidt of The Truth About Cars:

“There is a Toyota standard for designing new cars,” he said. “This standard was to a large extent ignored. Why did we do this? There are cars that are accepted by a lot of people. Practical cars that are easy to drive and that do not break easily. These are standard Toyota cars. The 86 is not a car like that. We had to change our design approach for this car. We may have to do this again for other cars.”cars that are affordable, fun and soul-stirring.

Sam Smith (MSN Autos):  “The GT 86 suggests Toyota is waking from its long slumber. The GT 86 is Toyota building a car that stirs the soul, incites some passion. It is Toyota building a car, not an appliance.”

Autoblog:  “It's pretty safe to say that the Toyota GT 86/Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ joint venture has been quite a success so far. Here at Autoblog, we've had nothing but nice things to say about the Toyobaru coupe, and it's a similar story elsewhere in the automotive press.”

Taiwo Onalaja's Thoughts: I've got to see what these feel like to drive!!! This car is getting rave reviews from automotive journalists everywhere!!! Nice one Toyota/Subaru

Which would you rather own? It's all down to badge preference...