In Japan they are calling it the “Hachi Roku” but here in South Africa it will be known as the Toyota 86 sports car. Toyota designed the 86 with the driver in mind, to create a ride that has precise and instant throttle response, steering input and powerful performance. The new Toyota 86 is set to impress.

New Toyota 86 is fun and thrilling to drive

The engine in the 86 is a compact, front-mounted, free-revving petrol engine that drives the rear wheels. It is a 4-cylilnder boxer engine that produces 147 kW at 7000rpm and a max torque of 205 Nm at 6600rpm. The new Toyota 86 has maintained a light weight and low centre of gravity to achieve the best possible power to weight ratio, thus further enhancing the pleasure of the ride.

The engine was developed by Toyota and Subaru and is the first of its kind to be horizontally-opposed with a D-4S. The system features twin injectors for both direct and port injection and a high compression ratio. This increases the power and torque across a wide range of engine speeds. The car is available with either a 6-speed manual or automatic, with the automatic coming in the option of paddle-shifts.

Look for the new Toyota 86 in South Africa in the second half of 2012.