New Toyota 86 from First JDM Test Drive [Video]

Our coverage on the production version of what we came to know as the FT-86 in concept form but which Toyota decided to name GT 86 for the European region and simply '86' in its home market of Japan, continues with two fresh videos that depict the rear-wheel drive sports car in action.The first clip is from a quick spin around the Fuji Speedway racetrack, while the second video includes a more comprehensive test drive from a Japanese car magazine that provides us with a more in-depth look at the sights and sounds of the 86 as well as in a wider palette of colors.
Toyota is highly optimistic about the '86', which it describes as an "entirely driver-focused sports car, designed to recapture the fundamental joys of motoring".
The Japanese firm's recipe includes a 200HP naturally-aspirated engine mounted up front matched to a six-speed manual (or 6sp automatic) and a limited slip differential driving the rear wheels, and a near-perfect 53:47 front-to-rear weight distribution.
By now you already know that the '86' will give birth to the global Subaru BRZ and the North American market-only, Scion FR-S.
For those of you thirsty for more information on the '86', you can check out our comprehensive post that includes all the initial specs and details along with the first pictures of both the European and Japanese market models.

VIDEOS

NHTSA Opens Formal Investigation on Chevy Volt and Li-ion Batteries

Earlier this year, a Chevrolet Volt caught fire while stationary at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Winsconsin facility car park, three weeks after it had been subjected to a side-impact crash test on May 12.

Alerted by the incident, General Motors and NHTSA repeated the test in June, but failed to replicate the fire. GM spokesman Greg Martin had said at the time that the fire was most likely caused because the agency staff had not followed the proper safety procedures mandated by the company for handling the Volt and its battery after an accident
Nevertheless, NHTSA joined forces with the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, as well as General Motors, to determine the safety levels of the Volt’s lithium-ion batteries.
Last week, three different tests were conducted. The first one, on November 16, did not result in a fire. However, during the second test, which took place a day later, there was a temporary temperature increase while on November 18, a few hours after the third crash test, the battery was rotated by 180 degrees – and it began to smoke and emit sparks.
NHTSA announced on November 25 that the battery used in the second test caught fire one day before at the Administration’s test facility where it was monitored since the crash test.
After this incident, NHTSA initiated a formal investigation on the subject of lithium-ion batteries that are used not only by the Volt, but also by most hybrid and EV vehicles.
The agency’s formal statement reads as follows:
“NHTSA is not aware of any roadway crashes that have resulted in battery-related fires in Chevy Volts or other vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries. However, the agency is concerned that damage to the Volt's batteries as part of three tests that are explicitly designed to replicate real-world crash scenarios have resulted in fire.
NHTSA is therefore opening a safety defect investigation of Chevy Volts, which could experience a battery-related fire following a crash. Chevy Volt owners whose vehicles have not been in a serious crash do not have reason for concern.
While it is too soon to tell whether the investigation will lead to a recall of any vehicles or parts, if NHTSA identifies an unreasonable risk to safety, the agency will take immediate action to notify consumers and ensure that GM communicates with current vehicle owners.”
The agency also reminded owners of hybrid or electric vehicles of the necessary precautions after an accident:

· Consumers are advised to take the same actions they would in a crash involving a gasoline-powered vehicle — exit the vehicle safely or await the assistance of an emergency responder if they are unable to get out on their own, move a safe distance away from the vehicle, and notify the authorities of the crash.

· Emergency responders should check a vehicle for markings or other indications that it is electric-powered. If it is, they should exercise caution, per published guidelines, to avoid any possible electrical shock and should disconnect the battery from the vehicle circuits if possible.

· Emergency responders should also use copious amounts of water if fire is present or suspected and, keeping in mind that fire can occur for a considerable period after a crash, should proceed accordingly.

· Operators of tow trucks and vehicle storage facilities should ensure the damaged vehicle is kept in an open area instead of inside a garage or other enclosed building.

· Rather than attempt to discharge a propulsion battery, an emergency responder, tow truck operator, or storage facility manager should contact experts at the vehicle's manufacturer on that subject.

· Vehicle owners should not store a severely damaged vehicle in a garage or near other vehicles.

· Consumers with questions about their electric vehicles should contact their local dealers.

On November 25, GM responded with its own statement, which reads as follows:
“The Volt is safe and does not present undue risk as part of normal operation or immediately after a severe crash. GM and the agency’s focus and research continue to be on battery performance, handling, storage and disposal after a crash or other significant event, like a fire, to better serve first-and secondary-responders.”
Hybrids and EVs are bound to become an increasingly common sight in the years to come. Therefore, it is only natural for both federal agencies and manufacturers to investigate possible risks posed by the novel technologies used by these vehicles.
On the other hand, as the Detroit Freep notes, National Fire Protection Association data shows that in 2010 215,500 car fires occurred in the U.S., all involving gasoline or diesel powered cars and none a hybrid or EV.

PHOTO GALLERY:

Toyota GT 86 Sports Coupe Officially Revealed in Production Guise

The wait for the most hotly anticipated (and teased, may we add..) sports cars of the year, the production version of the Toyota FT-86 2+2 coupe, is finally over as the Japanese automaker came out with all the juicy details ahead of the car's world premiere at the at the Tokyo motor show on November 30.

In Europe, the new Toyota will be called the GT 86 in tribute to the Japanese firm's GT car heritage and especially the Corolla GT (or Levin) AE86, which inspired its creation. The Japanese domestic market version will be aptly called 86.
The GT 86 is the result of a joint Toyota and Subaru development programme that will spawn two more models, the global Subaru BRZ that will also make its debut in Tokyo next week in production trim, and the North American market Scion FR-S.
All three cars will share the same platform and mechanical hardware including the Subaru-sourced flat-four, with only minor styling differences between them.
The story of the GT 86 began in October 2009 with the unveiling of the first FT-86 Concept in Tokyo and was followed by the almost production ready FT-86 II concept at the 2011 Geneva motor show this past March.
The exterior styling of the GT 86 is what we would best describe as more "Fast & Furious" than the original FT-86 concept, which had a sleeker, simpler and overall more European feel to it – but that was something to be expected after seeing the second iteration of the FT-86.
The interior design of the sports coupe is generally uncluttered featuring a three-meter instrument cluster arranged around a large tachometer and a large center screen for the audio and navigation systems.
The dashboard gets a carbon-effect trim, while there's all-black roof lining, red stitching on the upholstery, aviation-style rocker switches and lightweight, aluminium pedals.The GT 86 is also fitted with 365mm diameter steering wheel, which is said to be the smallest ever fitted to a production Toyota.
The GT 86 measures 4,240mm long (166.9-in.), 1,285mm (50.6-in.) high and 2,570mm (101.2-in) wide, which Toyota says make it the most compact four-seater sports car available in the market today.
Under the hood, you'll find Subaru’s new, horizontally opposed, naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine upgraded with Toyota's D-4S direct injection technology that delivers 200PS (197bhp/ at 7,000rpm and a peak torque of 205Nm (151.2 lb-ft) at 6,600rpm.
A standard six-speed manual gearbox with a short-throw lever or an optional six-speed automatic transmission that can be controlled using paddle shifts mounted on the steering wheel, drive the rear wheels via a limited slip differential.
Toyota says that both the powertrain and the driving position have been set "as low and as far back as possible to achieve the best balance" with the GT 86 boasting a near-perfect 53:47 front-to-rear weight distribution – though the company has not yet announced the car's weight. The 2+2 sports coupe also has a very low center of gravity, at just 475mm (18.7-inches).
The suspension features MacPherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the rear, while the standard version of the car rides on 17-inch wheels (18-inch for the JDM model) and is fitted with ventilated disc brakes all around.
Aside from the ABS, the GT 86 is also equipped with switchable vehicle stability control systems, which Toyota claims "have been tuned specifically to deliver dynamic stability at the limit of the car’s performance with minimal electronic intervention to help preserve the purity of the driving experience".
We'll keep digging for more information on the new Toyota GT 86 as well as its Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S siblings and bring it to you as we get it. In the meantime, hop over the break to check out the high-resolution photo gallery.

EUROPEAN TOYOTA GT 86

JDM TOYOTA 86