Interesting statement in new 86 review

[Sport-Tech]

Automobile's review of the 2017 GT86 is up now, and it contained this:

Unfortunately, the throttle and brake pedals are just a bit too far apart for easy heel-and-toe downshifts — a result, Tada says, of the fallout from Toyota’s unintended acceleration debacle earlier this decade.

The twins aren't the only cars with this issue; I have suspected for a while that the greater horizontal pedal spacing (along with changes in relative heights and depths) seen in current manually-equipped cars have been made by manufacturers to reduce the likelihood a fumble-footed driver will hit the wrong pedal - at the expense of being able to easily negotiate heel-toe shifting. Another argument for adding switchable rev-matching (auto-blipping) to modern manuals.

Another interesting tidbit - seems likely the strengthening of the chassis with the refresh was not a preparation for any future power boost:

Toyota and Subaru engineered this chassis to accommodate a convertible version without the need for heavy bracing, but that won’t happen with this generation model. Tada would like a convertible from the get-go for a second-generation model, but he hinted that Toyota has yet to sign off on an 86 Mark II.

[guybo]

I have no problem heel n toe shifting in my 2016 frs. But I have really wide feet too. There's ways to install wider pedals for those with regular size feet.

[Sport-Tech]

On not having signed off yet on a second gen model: isn't it a bit late in the game for making such a decision? I thought new-gen design and engineering started as soon as a mid-cycle refresh was finalized. Toyota could of course spend the money to get the ball rolling before making a final decision but it seems like an inefficient way to operate.

[mazeroni]

Originally Posted by Sport-Tech

On not having signed off yet on a second gen model: isn't it a bit late in the game for making such a decision? I thought new-gen design and engineering started as soon as a mid-cycle refresh was finalized. Toyota could of course spend the money to get the ball rolling before making a final decision but it seems like an inefficient way to operate.

Not to start a "what they should for the new 86 - OMG boost or fail."

What does "sign off" mean? You "green light" a project for design, protype testing, etc.; but doesn't sign off imply that the car can move from concept to pre-production? I wouldn't expect a new 86 until MY 2019 or 2020 at the earliest. But they might have clay models and early engineering development already in progress, but Toyota / Subaru still have authority to kill it at any point. Right?

[StraightOuttaCanadaEh]

That was my first observation with this car. Pedals too far apart. I heel and toe, but it's hit and miss. It looks like I'll have to adjust my technique

[Sport-Tech]

Originally Posted by mazeroni

Not to start a "what they should for the new 86 - OMG boost or fail."

What does "sign off" mean? You "green light" a project for design, protype testing, etc.; but doesn't sign off imply that the car can move from concept to pre-production? I wouldn't expect a new 86 until MY 2019 or 2020 at the earliest. But they might have clay models and early engineering development already in progress, but Toyota / Subaru still have authority to kill it at any point. Right?

My read of "sign off" as used here is that Toyota has yet to make a final decision to go ahead with a second generation car for production.

[TommyW]

As far a s the heel\toe issue it just takes some time to get comfortable with having your food barely on the brake pedal just be sure that your shoes have good grip.

[Tcoat]

I wouldn't read a lot into the "Hint" it hasn't been signed off.


"Tada says in broken English"
"but he hinted that Toyota has yet to sign off on an 86 Mark II."


It would appear they at least talked to him (appearances can be deceiving though) which makes this statement the most interesting of all:


"Tada-san bristles at the suggestion of adding a turbocharger – say, for example, the Subaru WRX’s 268-hp boxer engine, which would negatively affect the linearity of the power band."

[ichitaka05]

It's a bit hard. After a while, you'll get used to it... but I went on different way.

Bought GSeed's Heel & Toe kit


But it was a bit too close, to I had to CNC down about 1/4" and it's perfect height for me.

[Shinchu]

i have small feet (shaddap) and have no problem doing smooth rev matched heel toe downshifts.
auto rev matching on a manual makes me want to barf.

[imnotsureaboutbrz]

I'm still trying to learn the heel toe, but I've been living with a manual car for 2 weeks and the weather is still crap... but that said if there was a topless version of this car I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

[why?]

Another interesting way to look at the quotes is they purposefully made the car too heavy.

[FR-Sky]

It is easy to heel toe. It is just hard to control the gas pedal with your heel at first.

[Anthonyc77]

Size 9 foot, can heel toe easily even if barefoot. Didnt even have to think twice about it, and thats coming from a miata with a pedal extension. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯