The Toyota 86 has been making waves since its first launch not long ago. Having an illustrious and legendary predecessor certainly helped, but the new incarnation of the car is set to make its own headlines.
It is common knowledge that Toyota teamed up with Subaru to create the Toyota 86. Subaru on the other hand named their version, the BRZ and it made it’s maiden GT competition at this year’s SuperGT racing series. The BRZ as expected came to Sepang International Circuit, coinciding with Toyota Malaysia’s launch of the 86 a week earlier and Subaru’s launch of the BRZ through its distributor Malaysian distributor Motor Image at SuperGT Rd 3 Sepang.
Speaking of the launch of the new 86, Toyota Malaysia is currently putting up roadshows aggressively across the country to showcase their new cars such as the Camry but obviously more focus were put in by the punters to the 86. By the time I got to the car, the metallic black paint was covered with finger prints everywhere.
The legendary 86 may have been powered by the widely popular 4AGE straight four cylinder engine, but the new one has a Subaru-derived flat four boxer engine. Having a boxer did enable the car to have the engine mounted so low, reducing the centre of gravity as well as giving the car superb handling characteristics.
Toyota came at full force showcasing the new 86 at SuperGT Rd3 Sepang. Design-wise, I think Toyota nailed it. The nice touch of twin dual exhausts is also stunning. It would make a very good daily driver, at least for me.
The words ‘Proud of Boxer’ is emblazoned on even the crew shirts. The 86′s sister car, the Subaru BRZ competes in the 2012 SuperGT series in its corporate colours and decked out in the expected outrageous widebody that most SuperGT racers would have.
The Subaru BRZ GT300 racer is run by R&D Sport team who is managed by Shinji Motojima. Drivers Tetsuya Yamano and Kota Sasaki are no strangers GT300-class podium finishes and championship winners.
Kota Sasaki partnered with 1st driver and three-time GT300 winner Tetsuya Yamano in 2005 to win the GT300 title.
Miss Megumi Haruna was the GT Queen tasked to be at the grid with her outfit in matching Subaru corporate colours. This Tokyo lass is into sports such as snowboarding and tennis while being quite handy herself in the kitchen.
Above is a promo video of the BRZ GT300. The Subaru blue paintwork, the GT widebody and most importantly the grumble of the boxer race engine, one can’t say or feel anything else but to be..
..”Proud of Boxer”.
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