Article from Club4AG speculation of new Toyota 86

[ichitaka05]

Moto-san from Club4AG wrote a speculation of new Toyota 86. Worth reading. He says he is speculating, but if you are familiar with this guy, you know he probably knows a ton more about it already that he can't say yet...

http://club4ag.com/2017-toyota-86/

WHAT WE CAN EXPECT WITH THE "KOUKI" THE 2017 TOYOTA 86 (MY THOUGHTS...)

86 CONCEPTS, AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, FRS/ BRZ, TOP ARTICLE
MARCH 26, 2016
BY MOTOP

What we can expect with the "Kouki" the 2017 Toyota 86 (my thoughts...)
March 26, 2016
For the USA market, the Scion FR-S will be renamed the Toyota 86 with the merging of Scion brand to it's parent brand, Toyota. That's old news in the days of internet era. It's two weeks old by now...
But here's my thoughts on the 2017...Toyota 86.
This new Toyota 86 will also be a year when it will receive its first minor change, or what we enthusiast in JDM scene, will call the "Kouki" model, denoting the mid-cycle changed "Late Model"

The "Kouki 86"will see a change best appreciated by the fans of the current models, says sources. While the engine will still be a flat-four FA20 that has powered the Scion FR-S/ Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ since 2013, the 2017 will feature extensive tweaks in myriads of ways inside, each subtle, but collectively very significant, to enhance response, fluidity, an even more linear torque delivery, and tactility for performance drivers. What these changes will actually consist of is still unpublished, but we are expecting a more closer number to the catalog output of 205 ps than previous models had respectively to its catalog spec of 200. So the "actual" increase might not be just 5 hp difference of catalog's 200 to 205 at all, but much more. This also applies to the torque figures.
Also I would assume, that the changes in power output is basically a side-effect of honing the engine to even higher levels of control and communication character to the driver, so while the output may still be modest, the thrill and engagement for an experienced driver has been greatly enhanced.

What we gather in the more obvious and generic levels, as debuted at New York Auto Show this past weekend, is the exterior and interior cabin changes.
The headlights of the 86 are now integrated with the turn signals in the main assembly. Where-as the previous "Zenki" (early models) were separated in the lower bumper, the new 86 will open up this area on the front bumper for a much wider funnel-effect engine air intake and under-hood venting. This change is also, something that resulted from enhancing driver experience, and the aesthetics are something of a result of this priority. So there are visually controversial flow of complex lines and shapes, which are not as simple and visually linear. But again, there seems to be a huge level of R&D performed with various prototyping and testing to derive with enhanced stability aerodynamically over the last model, which was already very good in this regard.
The rear bumper also has slight changes to the crease lines to reflect the flow both visually and more importantly for the Kouki, the aerodynamics.
We will wait a bit more to get a good high resolution photograph from official press releases or leaks, but here's something interesting that someone leaked from the Subaru side of operation.

We can see in the photo of the cluster, there is a new LCD display panel where there used to be dummy lamps and a fuel gauge on the right-most dial. The screen, if you look closely, extends past the dial border, and into the center circle, and is a rectangular display. By the size of the display it looks to be about the same size as the Subaru WRX and STI's center information display unit, or something seen in Toyota Sienna and Corolla/Scion iM as Multi-Information Display.
In the photo, it is simply displaying a right door open indication, but this will feature much more flexibility in terms of the type of information, compared to dummy-lights like before.
For example, it can display a more useful things like Fuel Range, and other types of Trip Computations. It can also display much more precisely what might be wrong with today's complicated automotive systems, and even user-selected preference options of various vehicle parameters. Specific to the 86/BRZ, it is also possible to show things like performance driving logs, or track performance items like laps and such... I know already that even the first 2013 Zenki models has on-board data logging and output capability hidden in the Body Control Unit, which we have seen various reverse-engineered plug-in devices have utilized already as popular products. And this output from the Zenki was already used to combine additional data to a PlayStation 3 specific device in Japan for logging GPS+Vehicle Data, to render a Gran Turismo 6 Replay based on real driving at a real raceway. Perhaps that sort of output can be organized and used for the MID screen here in the 2017? Only time will tell, but even if basic, it should be able to display key things like Voltage, Oil Temp, Water Temp, VSC action mode, and much more already on the car as output untapped. I hope it's something useful to us "driving enthusiasts."

The Kouki's Steering wheel spoke has been revised a bit at the spokes to accommodate a steering wheel control button array, (perhaps more to really dig and control the MID display areas) as so commonly available to other cars today. We can see there;s also the usual phone and radio controls as well.
I personally liked the Zenki type for its classic simplicity visually. But I guess as the car ages a bit in the market, it needed some of the generic things that most consumers expect in a car at this price? At least, this is what Toyota does well, so I can't be complaining here. Hardcore tuners of classic AE's have hacked away at these things and made things their own way in the past anyway. More variety of parts a decade from now, all the better, I say.
Speaking of interchangeability, I am willing to bet pretty hard, that the bumpers, headlights, and tail-lamps can easily be swapped between the Zenki and Kouki models, with just a tad of wiring and socket pinning. The fender panel and hood seems to be exactly the same on both generations so there shouldn't be any cutting or filling required.
Here's something I got too from some folks in Japan of what seems to be a tail light from a Kouki 86. Seems to be what is on the presentation model shown at New York last weekend.
There seems to now be a uncommon "projector" type unit inside the far ends... Also an array of LED's it seems to be as well but the brake lamp area of the red covered section we see almost classic diffuser-spread style lighting of older cars. Nice. Now if you see what I see at the top...seems to be a fin? It's not attached to the trunk so it might be hanging from something like a wing huh?
Chief Engineer Tetsuya Tada said from New York Auto Show, that there's significant aerodynamic changes, so this might be something we can expect? A proper wing for the first time in 86/BRZ for the USA? Let's wait and see as time closes in...
I'll keep you informed if I think of anything else or see something...

Kouki Toyota 86 2017

[hmong337]

The fact that they're still keeping that useless speedo is stupid AF. At least give us a meaningful gauge like oil pressure.

[WNDSRFR]

Useless Tach?

I hope you mean Speedo.

[c4lvinnn]

Originally Posted by hmong337

The fact that they're still keeping that useless tach is stupid AF. At least give us a meaningful gauge like oil pressure.

I hope you meant speedo

[raven1231]

Just realized you posted this lol oh well

[funwheeldrive]

To anyone on the fence about buying an 86, or to those who recently bought one and are now regretting their purchase for not waiting for the refresh:

I'm sure the my17 will perform better overall compared to the older models, but that doesn't mean that the original model is outdated. This car is very dialed in regardless of what year you buy. I have owned a stock 86 for 2 years now and I still haven't reached the limits of this car on public roads. The current engine setup has proven to be reliable and sturdy. Tuners have had years to perfect tunes for this car and made it easy to upgrade without sacrificing overall reliability.

Those who buy the newer model will most likely need to wait for the aftermarket to adapt to these new settings, and the new pieces have yet to prove themselves over the test of time. I have no doubt that Toyota/Subaru spent a lot of time making sure that the refresh will be modder friendly, but I don't think anyone will be missing out by purchasing an older model. This is a great platform no matter what year you decide to buy.

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

I'm sure the my17 will perform better overall compared to the older models, but that doesn't mean that the original model is outdated.

Toyota says it'll perform better if it will be a manual. And they are not even sure if it'll be a 5hp increase. Some Toyota officials say that it will be between 2-5hp. This is really a joke and never heard this before. A difference in engine power between a manual and an auto? What are these people smoking? I am really sad of what they had to offer as a car refresh(*) and I am afraid that if they continue like this then they will just kill the platform.

I hope the refreshed models to not remain in history as a desperate move in most part of the marketing departments!

(*) They didn't even bother to upgrade the tires to a bigger width when they changed the rims and upgraded the suspension! *sigh*

[Sosa]

I'm excited that there's a good chance on interchangeable parts.

Also interested to learn more about the Zenki and Kouki designation. I understand Zenki is the MKI (2013-16) model, and Kouki the facelift.
What is the second generation and it's subsequent facelift referred to as?

1st Gen = Zenki > Facelift = Kouki > 2nd Gen = ? > 2 Gen Facelift = ?...

[hmong337]

Originally Posted by c4lvinnn

I hope you meant speedo

Correct... lol. Speedo.

[funwheeldrive]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

Toyota says it'll perform better if it will be a manual. And they are not even sure if it'll be a 5hp increase. Some Toyota officials say that it will be between 2-5hp. This is really a joke and never heard this before. A difference in engine power between a manual and an auto? What are these people smoking? I am really sad of what they had to offer as a car refresh(*) and I am afraid that if they continue like this then they will just kill the platform.

I hope the refreshed models to not remain in history as a desperate move in most part of the marketing departments!

(*) They didn't even bother to upgrade the tires to a bigger width when they changed the rims and upgraded the suspension! *sigh*

There are actually a lot of cars that have more power with a manual transmission compared to auto. I can't think of any off the top of my head because I only buy manual though.

[cdq85]

hate the fact that they put controls on the steering wheels. makes it look like a camry.

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

There are actually a lot of cars that have more power with a manual transmission compared to auto. I can't think of any off the top of my head because I only buy manual though.

I agree if we discuss about wheel power or 0-60 mph results. However, crank power should not be different. If you have an example of different specifications between an auto and a manual please share. The only way I can think is that they managed to "pass" the emission regulations using a bit better engine management in the manual transmission. However, this is a very weird case to promote especially after what happened to other car companies lately. I think Toyota and Subaru would be in a much better position if they claimed that they achieved this with a new air-intake design. This is what some of us were expecting.

[raven1231]

Originally Posted by Sosa

I'm excited that there's a good chance on interchangeable parts.

Also interested to learn more about the Zenki and Kouki designation. I understand Zenki is the MKI (2013-16) model, and Kouki the facelift.
What is the second generation and it's subsequent facelift referred to as?

1st Gen = Zenki > Facelift = Kouki > 2nd Gen = ? > 2 Gen Facelift = ?...

Catachi and bukkake

[Veloist]

Originally Posted by Sosa

I'm excited that there's a good chance on interchangeable parts.

Also interested to learn more about the Zenki and Kouki designation. I understand Zenki is the MKI (2013-16) model, and Kouki the facelift.
What is the second generation and it's subsequent facelift referred to as?

1st Gen = Zenki > Facelift = Kouki > 2nd Gen = ? > 2 Gen Facelift = ?...

Zenki & Kouki refer to two versions of 1 generation so it would kind of go like this:

2013-2016 MK1 Zenki
2017-2020 MK1 Kouki

2021-2024 MK2 Zenki
2025-2028 MK2 Kouki

We'd probably use chassis codes too:

2013-2016 ZC6 & ZN6 Zenki
2017-2020 ZC6 & ZN6 Kouki