Hansen
Clearly Toyota is not boring anymore. The GT86, or better known as the Scion FR-S (which is now dead), the Subaru BRZ, or the Toyota 86, is a barebones two-door, rear wheel drive sports car that makes just enough power to give you lots of thrills, but not enough to get you into a lot of trouble. We’ve said it once before, it has the makings of a future classic.
Now Toyota UK has created a proper throwback by giving it an Initial D livery, which is an homage to the AE86, Hachi-Roku, Eight-Six, or whatever you want to call it, that graced the Manga pages and made many of us fall in love with the sport of Drifting and Togue racing.
This GT86 Initial D concept gets the proper “Panda” style graphics mimicking the one found in the Manga comics. The concept has also received some proper Sportivo suspension upgrade from TRD and rolls on RS Watanabe F8 black alloys. We’ve always thought the base BRZ/FR-S/GT86 was always a little bit on the underpowered side, so this concept has been equipped with a Fujitsubo Authorize S exhaust system, in hopes of reduced engine back pressure.
We already love this little sports car so making it into something that pays tribute to Initial D gives us nostalgia and hits us in the ‘feels’ just a tad. We totally want it!!!
Here’s the press release from Toyota UK:
Inspired by the Initial D Japanese manga comic series, Toyota’s new GT86 project re-imagines the world-famous AE86 Corolla for a new generation.
On its launch in 2012, the Toyota GT86 was instantly recognised as a spiritual successor to the rear-wheel drive Corolla GT Coupe – also known as the AE86 – of the mid-1980s. That connection has been re-emphasised with the creation of a one-off GT86 Initial D concept, liveried and kitted to match its comic book Corolla predecessor.
Initial D was a cult Japanese manga comic series in which the young hero, Takumi Fujiwara, famously drove a modified AE86, honing his driving skills on mountain roads while moonlighting as delivery driver for his father’s tofu shop. The car emerged as a star in its own right, influencing the emerging drifting scene and inspiring a live action movie and various arcade games.
To emphasise the new concept’s roots in pop culture, Toyota commissioned UK-based manga artist Sonia Leong to design a series of panoramic backdrops that effectively put the real GT86 into comic strip action scenes. Sonia has previously applied her graphic skills to create a manga film featuring the Toyota Aygo.
The concept
Created by Toyota’s UK special projects department, the GT86 Initial D concept is a faithful re-imagining of the fictional AE86. The coupe not only copies the manga car’s distinctive panda-style monochrome livery but uses new versions of the same Japanese market components that were featured so successfully on the original.
These include custom-made RS Watanabe alloy wheels, TRD suspension, a Fujitsubo exhaust system, Cusco strut brace, and a carbon fibre bonnet. Less obvious cues are the yellow-tinted fog lights, which hint at the Cibié spotlights fitted to improve Takumi’s night-vision, and the silver-painted engine cover that is a nod to the high-revving 20-valve ‘Silver Top’ 4A-GE engine installed during the series.
The thorough makeover is also evidenced by the inclusion of carbon fibre door handle protectors and mirror covers that give an effect similar to the black plastic material used on the AE86. In addition, mud flaps have been installed because they were on the original Initial D car, the boot lid spoiler has been removed, and the rear lenses have been tinted.
Joe Clifford from the special projects team commented: “Right from the start, the Toyota GT86 was
developed as a car that would appeal to enthusiasts, whether in standard trim or as an exploitable
The Toyota GT86 Initial D concept will be attending motoring events around Britain throughout the summer.
(Source: Toyota UK)
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