Quote:
Originally Posted by NLS8520
Chief Engineer Tada unveils the 2017 updated Toyota 86 with a theme of pure driving, for every one. Description is about the reintroduction, updates, and identity of the 86.
Points:
1. There are over 100,000 86/BRZ on the roads around the world.
2. The ownership demographics is becoming younger in age each year.
3. Toyota (Japan and Australia) is concentrating efforts to promote and assist grassroots racing efforts for the Sunday racers.
4. The platform is "ideal rear-drive sports car" with economy of participating in attainable grass roots racing.
5. Tires are one of the attention Tada gave to updates. Collaborating with a tire maker to produce the ideal tire for this car.
6. Driver tactility was the main focus for the updates, including all control mechanisms such as brakes, suspension tune with damper valve design, mated with high-load, low-resistance springs. This also applies to aerodynamics to smallest details. High speed operation is affected in major ways from the start, and the 2017 update took it further, including the aluminum rear wing and front air splitter bumper using more of the available air for stability and efficiency. Aluminum tapering and harmonic damping to reduce vibrations to enhance feel as well as refined sense of tactility. Lighter wheels along with Brembo braking calipers.
7. Much of the driver tactility update is based on the feedback from racing operations and drivers who have been involved in endurance racing.
The details like the 7000 rpm mark on the tachometer is now at 12 o'clock position for peripheral vision reading of redline approach.
8. Many of these updates are things that evolve the 86 to a more refined level of the original goals, but not changing the character.
It's a simple presentation but one that define the missions for the changes in the minor change he calls in other descriptions "Kouki" the latest model of a driving enthusiast's car.
From Moto:
The main focus for the redesign as Chief Engineer Tada claims is for the complete enhancement and concentration to improve overall air-flow, and down-force characteristics of the 86. This was the primary goal of function over all other elements
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Yes it says it "took it further" but also was clear that the original design did much. How much the "further" really is is not stated and how the changes impact the average driver could be disputed. I have little doubt that a track regular will feel and appreciate the changes but the vast majority will never be able to tell the difference.
I know I sound like I am against the changes but that is not the case. Although I personally do not care for the appearance I am in no way saying the update should not have happened. Overall the car shows an improvement and that has to happen in order for it to survive.