Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ "Japan Car of the Year"

[ichitaka05]

Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ "Japan Car of the Year"and a message from Chief Engineer Mr.Tada and FHI's Mr.Takefuji.

Reference: MotoP's Facebook

Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ - Recipenet of the "Japan Car of the Year 2012-13 "specialty category"


My loose, unofficial translation of the Press interview of both Mr.Tada, Chief engineer of Toyota 86/ Subaru BRZ project, and Mr. Takefuji of FHI
Subaru, as reported by Response Web (Japan):

Upon being presented with the “Japan Car of the Year 2012, Specialty Car” award the two gentlemen had the following to say about the project.
Photo: Response webmagazine

Mr. Tada : “To the folks in the automotive industry and business media, there must have been many concerns and questions about the creation of a traditional sports car, (which is typically seen as signs of excess and wealth in Japan where modesty is a virtue) in an era of hardships and challenges in economy. However, with an award like this presented to the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ, it only shows to the public, the depth and enthusiasm of Japanese journalism, and a message to the world that the is a very strong fan base and a deeply rooted passion for such cars in Japanese society and automobile culture.

Mr.Takefuji of FHI added: “It was in October of 2005, when Toyota had approached us to collaborate on an automobile, and we had many discourses at the time on what type of car was to be created.
By 2007, we had finally agreed to make a sports car, based on a type of sports car that can create and embrace a culture for many motorists. It was a long and grueling 5 years in the making since. Today however, with this event, we are so glad and appreciative to receive such high marks for the 86/BRZ, and we will continue to use this car for further development, honing and refining more elements that seem fit, and through Asian markets and originating from Japan, and will challenge the best of Germany finest automobiles in refinement and quality. This will be our goal.”

___

How wonderful is that folks! This applies the the sibling car, the Scion FRS as well for the USA.

& here's the referenced site MotoP got it from: Response JP

[mashal]

Winning


I-Tapatalk

[Bristecom]

I knew they would win this award. Congrats.

[White Shadow]

Well, at least they won in Japan. Here in the North America, they aren't winning jack.

[shishand]

Originally Posted by White Shadow

Well, at least they won in Japan. Here in the North America, they aren't winning jack.

Good... I don't want a bunch of idiots driving this car because it won some bullshit haha and honestly i don't need anyone declaring how good the car is to shape my opinion

[whaap]

I might be over reaching a little here but I think our cars have only scratched the surface when it comes to the notoriatiy they're going to experience as the motoring public becomes more and more aware of their presence. The twins fill a space in the motoring world where I feel there has not been any cars before them.

[Accurate Race Shop]

Originally Posted by whaap

I might be over reaching a little here but I think our cars have only scratched the surface when it comes to the notoriatiy they're going to experience as the motoring public becomes more and more aware of their presence. The twins fill a space in the motoring world where I feel there has not been any cars before them.

I don't think they have really broke new ground but they have brought back something that has been missing for a long time. 20 years ago Japan matching the USA in pure power wasn't happening so they aimed for cheaper and a fun experience it was a hit. For some reason they have been moving to the family car market and only making a few good sports cars. I think this car is their announcement back into the market of small fun cars. I expect to see many more like this car showing up on the market in the next few years.

[whaap]

Originally Posted by jasper

I don't think they have really broke new ground but they have brought back something that has been missing for a long time. 20 years ago Japan matching the USA in pure power wasn't happening so they aimed for cheaper and a fun experience it was a hit. For some reason they have been moving to the family car market and only making a few good sports cars. I think this car is their announcement back into the market of small fun cars. I expect to see many more like this car showing up on the market in the next few years.

The ground that I think they broke is in the fact they built a very good knock off of an exotic (think LFA) priced at sports car entry level and having outstanding handling chracteristics right out of the box. I honestly can't think of another car that accomplished those three things in a single package.

[Sigh-on-Rice]

Its somewhat misleadimg. Japan car of the year actually is Mazda CX-5. 86/BRZ won the "speciality category", which is more like 2nd place.

[Dazza]

Originally Posted by White Shadow

Well, at least they won in Japan. Here in the North America, they aren't winning jack.

Winning in Oz also

http://smh.drive.com.au/car-of-the-y...126-2a2tj.html

[Accurate Race Shop]

Originally Posted by whaap

The ground that I think they broke is in the fact they built a very good knock off of an exotic (think LFA) priced at sports car entry level and having outstanding handling chracteristics right out of the box. I honestly can't think of another car that accomplished those three things in a single package.

They might have been the first to get it right but they are not the first to try think back to the fiero "the poor man's Ferrari"

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

[whaap]

Originally Posted by jasper

They might have been the first to get it right but they are not the first to try think back to the fiero "the poor man's Ferrari"

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

I mentioned three attributes for the FR-S/BRZ twins: price, handling and styling. The Fiero made it for styling but definitely not for handling and I'm not sure where they stood on pricing. A 1984 base price was $8,000.00.
Either way it's certainly not a point to be argued. We can just count ourselves lucky the twins came along when they did and the fact we have one.

[mackeye]

Cheers ! :happy0180:

[Accurate Race Shop]

Originally Posted by whaap

I mentioned three attributes for the FR-S/BRZ twins: price, handling and styling. The Fiero made it for styling but definitely not for handling and I'm not sure where they stood on pricing. A 1984 base price was $8,000.00.
Either way it's certainly not a point to be argued. We can just count ourselves lucky the twins came along when they did and the fact we have one.

Can't argue with that I am very happy a car this good is finally affordable enough for the everyday person to own and enjoy!

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