Visually, the 86 receives minor changes front and rear, with a slightly more aggressive air opening up front and cleaned up taillight graphics.
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The new 2017 Toyota 86 has been given exterior, interior and suspension updates. New “twisted spoke” alloy wheels fill the wheel wells, and “86” logos appear on the fenders and even inside the headlamps.
Just as in the regular model, the powertrain consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 179 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque, mated to either a standard six speed manual gearbox or an optional six-speed automatic.
Bob Dyland said, “The times, they are a changin” and this Toyota 86 is proof of an idyllic auto brand gone to the wayside. Inside, the black sport seats, steering wheel, shift boot, and parking brake handle are picked out with red stitching.
The instrument panel also gains a new soft-feel “Grandlux” material, embossed with the 86 logo, with the material also flowing onto the door trims. Meanwhile, manual buyers – and, really, if you’re getting a Toyota 86 you should be going for the 6-speed manual transmission – get Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), which promises to stop the auto from rolling back when on an incline.
Toyota will also continue competing in the Formula Drift championship with drivers Ken Gushi, Ryan Tuerck and Series Champion Frederic Aasbo all climbing into new Toyota 86s for the 2016 season.
Arguably the most appealing vehicle in ill-fated Scion’s line-up has been rebranded by Toyota, and it’s with a name that many agree the compact sportscar should’ve had in the first place.
“We’re very excited to be showing the C-HR Concept as a Toyota and adding it to our line-up next year”, said Fay. Toyota will market it to “young urban creatives”, who it thinks its hatchback design will appeal to. It creates a lower center of gravity, increased body rigidity, more responsive handling and improved ride comfort.
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More information about the technical specifications for the C-HR will be available when the production version debuts later this year.
