Sciaru BRZFRS (BreezeFrees)

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> Remember this?

-> This Italian tuner tries to get a good crack at the GT86:

Toyota GT86-R Marangoni Eco Explorer

^ Well, UK buff-mag Auto Express had a crack at it!

-> On the issue of this one:

^ The Scion-spec tails has an extra LED bulb (that works) with reflectors on its side as per US regulations. This type applies only on USDM BRZ & and the FR-S.

-> On the other hand, the one on the right have non-reflecting blank corners. This type only applies basically on ALL global-spec vehicles like the BRZ, GT 86, & Toyota 86.

^ The same can be applied on the S2000. But on the AP2, its painted red.

-> But on Europe, they have the ones I want. A rear fog light!!!

^ I want that bumper too!

 

[Ddrizle]

 

[homeforsummer]

A sedan variant would be nice, and if they could bring the price down even further due to economies of scale, it might even be an alternative to a boring, base-level Camry or Accord.

A slower, more cramped alternative, but hey... I wouldn't complain much.

Basically, a modern day E30. That's what I keep thinking. I don't think that's a terrible idea if they can keep the price under $30K.

I'd absolutely welcome a small 2-door or 4-door sedan. I've been thinking about just such a thing recently. Simple, lightweight, well-proportioned, and compact.

E30 is one comparison, the one which came to my mind is the Datsun 510. I can't recall whether Toyota ever had a direct alternative. Maybe the 1960s/1970s Corona. Modern interpretation of this? Yes please:

My 1968 Toyota Corona by Fergus McIver, on Flickr​

In other news, I finally had a (brief) go in an 86 the other day. The good news is that even though I only had the car for 20 minutes, it wasn't on public roads, so I was able to have a bit of fun.

Wasn't at very high speeds to can't comment on grip or power really, but got a bunch of chances to throw it sideways and pretty much drive it like an ass, and it was hilarious. Really predictable too, since all the controls are pretty much spot on - great throttle response, loads of steering feel, good driving position, snappy gearshift, good brakes.

Really eager to try one for a longer time now but unfortunately Toyota UK isn't playing ball

 

[Ddrizle]

 

[RocZX]

 

[sumbrownkid]

These cars a popping up left and right around Tampa.

Looks great in that orange for the Scion and white for the Subbie.

 

[CodeRedR51]

These cars a popping up left and right around Tampa.

Looks great in that orange for the Scion and white for the Subbie.

The Orange is "Hot Lava" and yes I agree, it's damn nice. That's the color I would buy if I could afford one.

 

[homeforsummer]

The Orange is "Hot Lava" and yes I agree, it's damn nice. That's the color I would buy if I could afford one.

Likewise, though sadly it's not as sunny here as it is over there, and really it's a color that works best in the sun!

 

[Bram Turismo]

I've testdriven it in black and orange, as well as seeing a white one right next to it. I can tell you right now black is the best colour choice for it. The orange looks great upon first sight, but the car just overall looks way better in black, and strangly I felt better as well driving the black one instead of having a rather strong orange colour flashing at me everywhere I look. I also think orange is a colour is kind of a wrong colour for a car to live with on a daily basis. Looks great every now and then, but every single day? Not so sure.

Black first choice, white second choice. And if I ever had more money than brains, I'd drop a 2JZ in it just for the heck of it and be the ultimate sleeper car.

 

[Yauma9]

If I had the money I'd buy a white one, just because of Initial D, but my second choice would be orange, I want to atract attention with a sports car like this, and not a lot of colors grab attention like orange does (yellow doesn't work here since it's a taxi color).

 

[Beeblebrox237]

I've seen it in white and it looks great like that.

 

[VspecZR1GT2RS89]

Hmmm... For the FR-S/86, I can picture mine in Hot Lava, Firestorm or Whiteout.

Especially Whiteout with a carbon fiber hood, black O.Z. Superleggas rims, Sparco racing seats, Sparco 5 point harness, lighter seats in the rear, 2JZ swap or F20A with stock internal work, running a turbo setup, HKS F-Con V ECU, stronger transmission with TRD lightweight clutches and flywheels, and a GReddy exhaust system and a good looking bodykit from TRD.....

Damn! Now I need to buy one and hook a FR-S up with some parts. Running some ideas here. 💡

 

[RACECAR]

While I like seeing it in many colors, it for some reason just looks right in white.

 

[homeforsummer]

I've testdriven it in black and orange, as well as seeing a white one right next to it. I can tell you right now black is the best colour choice for it. The orange looks great upon first sight, but the car just overall looks way better in black, and strangly I felt better as well driving the black one instead of having a rather strong orange colour flashing at me everywhere I look. I also think orange is a colour is kind of a wrong colour for a car to live with on a daily basis. Looks great every now and then, but every single day?

The orange isn't that bright that it'd be hard to live with. Again, when it isn't sunny it just looks like a burnt orange and when it is sunny, the car looks stunning.

I've seen one or two on the roads in black and they don't really stand out. But then I've never really been one for choosing exciting cars in dull colours, it seems to defeat the purpose.

The only one I've driven is in red, which looks okay but not as striking as the orange. I'd have preferred a more vivid red than the blood-red shade they seemed to go for.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I like this car. Aero parts not over-done, perfect stance, etc. 👍

 

[Murcie_LP640]

This is a couple weeks old now but Subaru Australia brought out a BRZ "S" which, as per most of these special/sports editions is merely cosmetic and handling based, no power increases.

Linky link

 

[RACECAR]

That's..hardly different apart from the small spoiler.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Just replicated that TRD Griffon car in GT5. With sport soft tires I beat their Tsukuba record by 0.030 of a second. Think I got it pretty close to the real thing.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

NEWS -> Oh well, no Cabrio & Turbo for the GT86/86:

Company thought they would be too expensive

According to a recent report, Toyota has axed plans for a turbocharged GT 86 and a GT 86 Convertible.
Details are limited but Automotive News is reporting the company thought the models would be too expensive to develop given their limited sales volumes.
The news comes as a bit of a surprise as Toyota recently introduced the FT-86 Open concept at the Geneva Motor Show. At the time, Toyota said the concept was created to "gauge reaction to [the] possible development of a cabriolet version of the GT 86 sports coupe." They also said the GT 86 was always envisioned to be offered as convertible so it was equipped with "frameless doors" and a rigid structure early on in the development cycle.
The rumored cancellation of the turbocharged variant is also a letdown as Toyota GT 86 chief engineer Tetsuya Tada previously confirmed a high-performance variant was going to be introduced later in the car's lifecycle.
Source: Automotive News

LINK

<- On the Turbo, lets just hope Subaru doesn't follow suit...

EDIT -> In other news:

Subaru Secures Larger Allocation of BRZ Coupes for UK, Confirms Approved Pro-R Tuning Parts

Earlier this year, Carscoops learned that on average, Subaru receives only about a tenth of the total production of the Toyota GT-86, Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ coupes, which translates to roughly 100 cars for the UK in the first half of 2013.
Things are set to get a little bit better as Subaru announced on Wednesday that it has secured increased supply of the BRZ for the British market, albeit without releasing any specific numbers.

"The BRZ was launched in spring 2012, though limited initial supply meant that high levels of demand from British buyers couldn&#8217;t be met," said Subaru in a statement. "The continued popularity of the model has enabled Subaru UK to secure a larger annual allocation of the BRZ from the brand&#8217;s Gunma factory in Ota-city, Japan."

The Japanese carmaker added that with the increased number of cars coming to the UK, in most cases and depending on specifications and colour choice, British buyers will be able to receive delivery of a new BRZ within two to six weeks of placing their order.

Paul Tunnicliffe, Managing Director of Subaru UK, commented: &#8220;The BRZ has been a sales success for us, but we&#8217;ve always struggled to match demand with supply. We&#8217;re hoping that our larger allocation will address this, and we&#8217;re confident that a greater number of car-loving buyers will now be able to appreciate the BRZ&#8217;s blend of light weight, usable power and fine handling characteristics.&#8221;

In addition to the news on the larger allocation, Subaru UK revealed that it will soon begin to offer factory-approved performance, handling and styling modifications from Subaru tuning specialist, "Pro-R", through its dealer network, with details to be released.

LINK

^ I hope this spreads out...

 

[homeforsummer]

I'm not overly fussed they've decided against the cabrio, as it just didn't look right. Suffered from the same issue you get with any convertible with more than two seats, which is that it looks ass-heavy.

As for the turbo, it wasn't something that bothered me anyway, but I can't see it really bothering anyone else - there are plenty of aftermarket options, after all. Okay, so maybe not in warranty, but that's the risk you take.

 

[Wolfe]

I agree with hfs on the cabrio, it didn't look right. The loss of a turbo version is too bad, but I'm not one of the whiners who think the current engine is underpowered. It would be nice if Subaru went ahead with the plan, as you said, The Vanishing Boy -- I'd like to see what a high-performance variant could do in magazine tests and all.

 

[Bram Turismo]

I did feel like it lacked just a nudge of power. An extra 50hp would be all anyone would ever need out of the GT86. It kind of feels like there's a lack of an extra nudge in the high revs, but that's only for me personally.

I'm glad the soft-top version was dropped. I initially thought it looked great, but now I think it would've looked horrible. You just have to have a coupe with the GT86.

I've also grown more fond of the GT86 in white, I'm still not sure whether I can actually choose a colour right now. Black is safe, the orange only looks spectacular when the sun is out, and personally I think sportscars always look good in white.

 

[CodeRedR51]

It kind of feels like there's a lack of an extra nudge in the high revs, but that's only for me personally.

Intake/Exhaust upgrades would take care of that. 👍

 

[Bram Turismo]

Intake/Exhaust upgrades would take care of that. 👍

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'd do something about those 50hp extra I'd want. But apparently because I'm younger than 25, my insurance company deems it necessary to charge more than double for my '95 Corolla than my dad's '05 Saab cabrio. Currently hoping for a secure position within my company, and then when I turn 25 next summer I might go for it. We'll have to wait and see.

I pretty much knew I had to have a GT86 when I testdrove it. I loved it that much.

 

[dsgerbc]

I'm sure Mazda is happy at no convertible 86.

 

[Ddrizle]

 

[RACECAR]

Is it weird that I'm glad there won't be a turbo version? Maybe its just me, but I always felt that it would completely go against the purpose of this car if there was a turbo version.

 

[dsgerbc]

^I agree. I don't mind a supercharged one though.

 

[niky]

Like Bram Turismo, having driven the 86, I do feel it could do with about fifty more horses. They would liven the chassis right up.

Hell, I'd settle for Toyota shaving about 50 kilos off the curbweight by junking the rear seats and insulation and adding about twenty or thirty ponies with breathing and reprogramming mods.

 

[Kamuifanboy]

I was able to test a 223 HP model GT-86 around Fuji Speedway the other day. It felt completely different than the stock model that I was able to test last year. The car becomes so much more fun and the power feels just about right with the 20 added Horsepower.