It has been rumored that the new model of Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ will be coming to this world the end of 2020 or the beginning of 2021 next year. Those cars which appeared in 2012 and after 8 years have passed now.
Regarding the BRZ, it was announced that orders will stop in July of this year 2020. The flow will be almost the same for the 86 as brother car. The 8 years of 86 and BRZ is a history of evolution. A friend of mine bought it, and then he bought it again twice, and I have experienced the growth. Looking back on that, let’s trace how 86 and BRZ changed.
- Start in an unfinished state
My friend bought the first 86 in 2013, about a year after the 86 appeared into market. However, at that time, no improvements seemed to have been made yet. The car known as Type A, felt that there were still unfinished parts when I actually picked it up.
For example, a crackling sound is emitted from around the upper panel of the rear seat, and rainwater collects in the tail lens. later, I heard that the sound came out from the mating surface each time the body twisted it was because welding was not perfect.
Also, even if water from the tail lens was mixed in, a countermeasure was immediately prepared, and I remember having the dealer exchange it for free. So-called minor trouble, 86 & BRZ started from such a state.
- Changing bolts drastically changes DRIVING
However, it was not only that, but it was also impressive that I was involved in refining the driving like a sports car.It was interesting to increase the thickness of part of the body and adding a spot hit points, change the control of the power steering, and change the mounting bolts of the suspension members.
As expected, it was not possible to imitate the addition of a spot hit points, but I felt that the follow-up after sales was exquisite, such as announcing that early type users could divert bolts.
Thanks to that, orders were concentrated on the bolts, which caused a response that it was temporarily out of stock. I experienced the change, but what I felt that the initial model had little information and it enable driver to gain the knowledge of their cars.
The 86 drive, which becomes more interactive linearly with each year’s improvement, was a good opportunity to know that the drive changes with each car parts. Its good to have a perfect car, but it was interesting to be able to experience the growth of unfinished things by repairing and putting a lot of parts.
- Power up with E type
After that, the model that changed the most was the model of the front and rear lights and the bumper design, commonly known as the E type. In these days, only fuel economy and environmental performance are important, it is amazing that it allowed the result of reduced fuel efficiency and have evolved into a more linear and sophisticated driving.
It was also interesting to use aluminum tape and stick to the air flow.At that time, I repeatedly tested it with and without it. While it was unclear whether it was effective, I was also impressed by how the aluminum tape changed the running of the car in a good direction.
When my friend replace this car to new 86, it was so different and couldn’t believe it is a same car! I remember just being impressed. Maybe it was because the early model had troubles such as wrinkles starting around the roof, probably because it drives around the circuit for about four seasons, and it was compared to the car that was driving quite loosely. If you hold the steering wheel that has a slightly smaller diameter and run on the circuit, you will feel the information transmitted directly from the tires, and if you further press the throttle, you can control the power and the final change to control the slight slide. I was impressed by the fact that it had evolved into one that responded just like a limb.
Of course, it seems to be a slight level for those who drive in other cars, but I was satisfied with the finish that I can assert that it is a different thing from 86. At first, I was wondering if my friend should drive the same car, but now I was able to say that I was glad he bought a new one.
- Used even in extreme condition
Later on, in the current model, we went into improving the ABS sensor. This was a measure to clear that an error occurred when there was a large input on a curb when running on the circuit.
The ABS unit that had an error once was not revived again, and it was enviable because the situation was about 180,000 yen(about USD$1,700) for replacement.
In an extreme situation like a circuit, the world of commercial cars can not complain even if it breaks, but it is the splendor of the 86 & BRZ that the attitude of seriously facing it and improving it is also the splendor. I think. Of course, not everything is OK at the moment. Especially in sports driving situations, the cooling was still unresolved, and the weakness was revealed especially regarding the transmission. In the one-make race, it was natural to overhaul once every two races to prevent problems.
This is also a bad effect brought about by the tire war, so it can not be blame only the car in general, but when the next 86 & BRZ appears, I am hoping that it will be better or solved.
However, I hope that they will respond properly to such requests. 86 & BRZ which has evolved steadily over 8 years will surely achieve that. If TOYOTA and SUBARU make a full model change based on the steady efforts they have made so far, it must move like a limb and become a fast and strong sports car.
