Category Archives: 86 / FR-S News

86RC Comes To New Zealand

https://youtu.be/AC3P4FGBFjQ

Isn’t Australia supposed to be the ‘lucky country‘? So why is it we have been bypassed on the ‘build your own’ version of the ZN6 86, the ‘RC’? Japan has embraced the ‘bare-bones’  model with open arms as almost every tuning house in the land of the rising sun grabbed one and put every combination of aftermarket parts into it.

So now that New Zealand is doing the same AND offering a slew of customisable Gran-Turismo style custom upgrades, I’m left wondering what the hell Toyota Australia is doing snoozing on getting the RC to Australian shores?

If you’re one of our Kiwi readers, check out what you can all walk down to the dealership and get at the official website here. For everyone else here in Australia and over in the US, well just visit it and cry a little I suppose.

[86RC – Toyota New Zealand]


Hachiroku Master: Tsuchiya & The New 86

All of us here at HR Blog have been long time fans of Irish motorsport photographer Paddy McGrath, but his latest works might just contain some of the most iconic images of the Drift King yet! However they didn’t come without a great deal of personal anguish from Paddy!

He writes:

Those of you with an interest in drifting will surely recognize the name Keiichi Tsuchyia, also known as the ‘Drift King’. Tsuchyia-san is the godfather of drifting, and without doubt one of the most important people in the history of the sport. CAR (magazine) wanted to celebrate his history whilst also exploring his involvement with Toyota’s new GT86. The brief I received illustrated clearly what CAR wanted from the shoot, and allowed me to plan in advance what equipment I would be relying on.

Unfortunately, on the day of the shoot my appendix decided it no longer wanted to be a part of me. Shooting in much discomfort and pain, I was limited in my movement and abilities. It was pretty upsetting, as this was something I wanted to deliver 110% but I just couldn’t. I pushed on as much as I could and once the shoot was over, made my way to a local hospital where I was admitted for surgery.

I knew beforehand that there was a tight deadline, so I started editing the images a couple of hours after surgery. It probably wasn’t a great idea editing them in a hospital ward (under fluorescent lights) and under the influence of many amazing drugs, but sometimes you have to push on. All things considered, I was happy with the product of the day’s work. I just can’t help but think what could have been though …

With a tenacious work ethic like that, it’s easy to see why Paddy has come so far in the world of motorsport photography in just a few short years!

Hit this link here to see the full set of amazing images and the whole story, and be sure to pick up the August issue of CAR magazine for the article!


New Zealand TRD Special Edition!

Those lucky Kiwi’s over the ditch always get the best stuff and now they have the best local ‘special edition’ of the 86 too!

Only 20 New Zealand TRD Special Editions will be built as part of the initial production run and each car will be numbered and supplied with certificate of authenticity. The car is a NZ ’86’ Spec (similar to our base model ‘GT’) with the TRD 18″ Black Forged aluminium wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport 3 225/40 tyres.

To go with the extra grip the Michelin’s provide, Toyota NZ are also fitting the TRD Special Edition with the now-infamous TRD Mono-block Brake Calliper Kit. The contents of which are: Front Mono-block Calliper (6-pot), Rear Mono-block Calliper (4 pot), 2-piece Front Brake Rotor (355mm), 2-piece Rear Brake Rotor (345mm), Stainless Steel Braided Brake Hose (Front / Rear) and Brake Pads (Front / Rear).

Obviously, the styling isn’t exactly standard either. This special 86 is fitted with the TRD Aero package containing a Front Bumper and Side Spoilers, Rear Spoilers,  Under Bumper (Diffuser) and Boot Spoilers.  The car also sounds the goods with the fitment of the TRD ‘quad-tip’ rear muffler too!

At NZ$63,486 (Roughly AUD$48,795 at time of writing) it’s not exactly cheap – an 86 (GT) spec car can be had for NZ$41,986 (AUD$32,269) – but you do get a hell of a lot for your money. A similarly priced TRD-Spec in Australia would cost roughly $46,000 – Would you pay the extra $16,000 for the TRD treatment? Hit the comments and let us know!

Check out the full details here and hit our flickr here for more wallpaper-sized images of the NZ TRD Special Edition.

Leaves me wondering though, why hasn’t Toyota Australia offered a similar limited-edition TRD version here in Australia? Surely at even 50 limited edition cars, they would be snapped up super-quick!


Fredric Aasbø & His 2JZ Toyota ’86-X’


86 or BRZ? It’s All About Driving Style

Take the Toyota and Subaru twins on back-to-back circuit runs and see exactly how each one differs in the real world. The result? Well you’ll just have to watch it!


GT86 vs AE86: “A Small Tiny Turismo”

Nino Karotta crosses Europe in a new GT86 to finally put it up against his race-spec AE86 on a racetrack… A must watch!


Toyota 86 Official Australian Presskit

While I write my review and impressions of the Toyota official launch day, here is the official presskit from yesterdays launch. Check it out after the jump.

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Get Retro! Panda Edition Scion FR-S

Five Axis has been busy! Inspired by the unique two-tone AE86 colour scheme known as ‘panda’ to hachiroku enthusiasts, Five Axis  has released some new ‘Retro Series’ designs for their own special release Scion FR-S (Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ) vehicles.

Japanese Nostalgic Car had the news:

The Retro Series will draw on the new car’s AE86 heritage with a color scheme reminiscent of the original’s trademark “panda” design. Each comes with a Five:AD aero kit, which has a natural line that creates a perfect break for the two-tone transition. It’ll be offered on two colors of the FR-S, Whiteout or Firestorm, which Five:AD is calling High Tech Two-Tone and High Flash Two-Tone, the official Toyota names for what fans have come to know as ”panda” and “red panda,” respectively.

These special edition FR-Ss will be available through select Toyota/Scion dealerships across the US in limited numbers, so if you want one keep up with Five Axis Design’s Facebook page for the latest news.

Here is an as-yet unavailable colour scheme I made based on the silver-black two-tone AE86 design. Let’s hope 5AD get it sorted too!

Which one is your favourite? Or you think Five Axis needs to go back to the drawing board on the panda style 86? Hit the comments and let us know!