GT86 press kit: Design - inspired by the spirit of the 2000GT

Every aspect of the GT86 design has been developed under the all-enveloping, 'Neo Functionalism' concept using the most modern sports car technologies available to create an object of 'Timeless Functioning Beauty'.

Under this principle, the pleasure of driving and the aesthetic beauty of the car are considered as part of its functionality.

Informed by the key words honmono kan, which mean 'authentic' or 'genuine feel', functional shapes and forms are the driving force behind the design. Yet, by recalling the heritage of past Toyota front-engined rear-wheel drive machines, the styling is also intended to evoke the timeless appeal of the sports car.

For instance, the exterior lines and surfaces have been shaped not only for maximum visual appeal, but also to let the driver know where each corner of the vehicle is at all times, helping him place it accurately on the road or track.

This 'viewed from the inside out' approach was integral to the design process from the earliest stages. The bold front fenders are readily visible through the windscreen, and the rear fenders through the door mirrors. These prominent forms at all four corners of the low-lying body add a new dimension to the feeling of being at one with the car.

Evocative Design Combining Iconic Styling with Functional Beauty

4,240 mm long, 1,775 mm wide, only 1,285 mm high and with a wheelbase of 2,570 mm, the new GT86 is the world's most compact four-seater sports car.

It combines the technical constraints of the smallest possible packaging dimensions, a low centre of gravity and excellent aerodynamic performance with evocative, sweeping styling reminiscent of past Toyota sports cars.

A perfectly preserved 2000GT was placed beside the full-scale clay mock-up of the new vehicle whilst it was being sculpted. As a result, the spirit of Toyota's beautiful, 1967 sports car was subtly infused into the styling. Hints of this are evident throughout the GT86 bodywork, most notably in the absence of cut lines in the cockpit superstructure, the side window forms and the rear fender character line.

The classic cut lines of the 2000GT also inspired the designers to place a similar emphasis on the door openings of the GT86 bold line segmentation bringing out the symbolic characteristics of a two-door sports car.

The GT86's bold, simple yet iconic styling incorporates two key pillars of a new Toyota design language: Under Priority frontal design, which places the emphasis on an enlarged lower grille, focusing attention on the lower part of the car for a distinctive, more assertive appearance, and a Keen Look approach for clear, intelligent and expressive styling.

Keen means 'intelligent' and 'clear' in this context clear as in 'Vibrant Clarity', which means bright and clean. The Keen Look concept is not limited to sports cars, and is to be rolled out on many other Toyota models.

This new design language is enhanced by a combination of bold 'scorpion' styling to the lower grille, and the piercing glare of High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps and LED daytime running lights, giving the GT86 an even more aggressive, sporting appearance.

The front of the GT86 incorporates advanced aerodynamics and cooling technologies. But the design doesn't flaunt excessive aerodynamic ingenuity, and the front and rear fenders retain the sensual contours of a sports car.

The GT86 design uses a unique concept called 'Aero Sandwiching'. The car is pushed by air from the top, bottom and both sides —effectively sandwiched by air from all directions, which stabilises it both vertically and horizontally. In this way the car is settled on the road without unnecessary downforce, which can have a negative impact on the drag coefficient and, hence, fuel consumption.

The dented contour on the 'pagoda' roof is an example of this system at work, and similar treatment has also been applied to the underbody, smoothing airflow and enhancing downforce. As a result, the GT86 has a drag coefficient of just Cd 0.27.

The sides of the roof were raised to allow extra headroom, enabling the overall roof height to be lowered further. The raised section on each side widens towards the rear. This form gives extra torsional stiffness to the structure, which is particularly useful on the GT86, the roof of which is fabricated in steel just 0.65 mm thick, to minimise weight.

Further aerodynamic details include a rear spoiler and the use of stabilising canard fins known as 'sakana' (meaning 'fish' in Japanese), which are integrated throughout the bodywork, including in the sides of the rear combination lamps. The location of sakana both on the sides and the underbody of the GT86 further contribute to lateral stability.

To the rear, the contrast between the compact cabin form and the trapezoidal, broad shouldered rear bodywork reinforces the GT86's wide rear track and firmly planted stance. The raised rear diffuser, incorporating twin chromed exhausts, expresses the excellent aerodynamics and lightweight agility of the new sports car.

The new Toyota incorporates numerous, carefully considered sporting details. They include a GT86-exclusive, T-mesh grille motif which is repeated in the triangular rear centre foglamp design, a rear spoiler, a connecting rod motif in the HID headlamps and at the tip of the twin exhausts, and the front wing-mounted '86' piston logo.

The '86' piston logo not only highlights the car's unique, front boxer engine rear-wheel drive powertrain format, but also represents the vehicle tyres sliding in a four-wheel drift, highlighting the perfect balance of the GT86 at the limits of the performance envelope.

Even the vehicle's unpainted resin exterior surfaces have come under scrutiny from the design team. A new grain pattern inspired by the appearance and texture of carbon fibre has been created for the GT86. To the front, this graining forms a V-shaped pattern focused on the centreline of the vehicle, expressing movement. To the rear, the same pattern is inverted, reinforcing the GT86's ground-hugging stance.

The GT86 is available in a choice of seven exterior colours the timeless elegance of Satin White Pearl, Dark Grey, Crystal Black Silica and Sterling Silver, and the more sporting character of Lightning Red, Galaxy Blue Silica and a Toyota-unique Metallic Fusion Orange.

The new sports car is fitted with Toyota's lightest 17" aluminium wheels, which feature machine-finished twin spokes offset with thin, dark accent spokes.

Ergonomic, Functional, Driver Focused Cockpit

On board the GT86, the entirely driver-focused cockpit re-evaluates the essence of sports car driving through the detailed examination of the ergonomics and functionality of every element with which the driver interacts, allowing the new Toyota sports car to be driven as if it were a natural extension of the driver's body.

The shape, layout and construction of each driving control element has been optimised to focus on functionality and usability the positioning and display organisation of the driver's instrument binnacle dials the grip and functional design of the steering wheel the intuitive layout and operability of all switchgear and the ideal shape, construction and material finish of the seats.

The horizontal dashboard design helps communicate the vehicle's roll posture to the driver, whilst its clearly symmetrical construction makes it easy for the driver to perceive the vehicle centre line during competition driving. To that end, a vehicle centreline mark is located on the front upper edge of the dashboard, and its reflected image can be seen on the windscreen.

Built around the large tachometer, the three dial instrument cluster has been designed with particular attention paid to display placement, markings and typeface, ensuring optimum, at-a-glance visibility and readability during sports driving. Hence, a digital speedometer has been located inside the tachometer, as well as a red shift light which illuminates to help drivers change gear at optimum engine revs.

Reflecting the GT86's sporting pedigree, the steering wheel has a diameter of just 365 mm, the smallest yet fitted to a Toyota. Its buckskin finish has been developed through exhaustive feedback from test drivers to offer enhanced steering performance and maximum grip under all cockpit conditions.

The steering wheel centre pad has a quality feel like hand-stitched, natural grain leather. In place of a metal badge, it is embossed with the '86' logo.

With the lowest driver hip-point of any Toyota production vehicle - just 400 mm - the GT86's driving position is 7 mm lower than that of a Porsche Cayman. The seat design has been refined to ergonomic perfection through Nurburgring circuit testing, and under race conditions, to ensure it remains comfortable over long periods behind the wheel.

The seatbacks and cushion cross sections are designed to provide optimum support under G-force acceleration from the front, back and sides. In addition, the shape of the front seat is designed not only for comfort, but also to prevent elbows from interfering with gearshift operation.

Two seat finishes are available, a combination of leather and Alcantara, and a newly designed, non-slip, suede-like fabric which combines durability and breathability with excellent holding characteristics.

The one-piece rear seatback can be folded flat, creating sufficient loadspace for four standard tyres and additional racing paraphernalia.

Over and above the low centre of gravity inherent in its design, a further advantage of the boxer engine installation is that its compact front-to-rear dimensions make the transmission far less intrusive in the cabin. As a result, the pedal box does not have to be squeezed to one side, and the pedal positions are perfect for skilled and sporting driving.

Soft knee pads built into the door trim and centre console sides provide support and help the driver maintain pedal control even during the lateral movement experienced in a particularly spirited drive.

The GT86 interior also features a frameless rear view mirror. This stylish, lightweight design maximises the driver's view astern without overly impeding the view forward through the windscreen.

The dedicated driving focus of the cockpit is further reinforced by a centre console-mounted engine start button, carbon effect trim, a sporting, all-black roof lining, red upholstery stitching, aviation-style switch and lightweight aluminium pedals.

Highlighted by contrasting seat back and side section materials, red accent stitching and silver ornamentation throughout, a choice of sporting, high quality, Black or Black and Red interior colour schemes is offered.

Both schemes incorporate GT86-unique, T-mesh pattern finishes to the instrument binnacle dials, climate control panel, door switch base and upholstery, and the connecting rod motif applied to the instrument dials, side air vents and gear level base.

Comfort, Convenience and Customisation Features

The new GT86 is equipped with a fully automatic air-conditioning system with independent left and right temperature control. Maintaining the GT86 ethos of weight saving throughout the vehicle, the unit is of a notably compact and lightweight design.

The new Toyota Touch audio system is available, equipped with AM/FM/CD 6 speakers, AUX and USB input connectivity. The six speakers comprise two 25 mm dashboard-mounted tweeters, two 160 mm front door speakers and two 65 mm rear quarter speakers.

All versions of the GT86 are fitted with two 12v accessory sockets, twin cup and bottle holders and green UV-cut glass to the side and rear windows. In addition, the new Toyota sports car is equipped with cruise control and a Smart Entry & Start System.

The GT86 has been designed to offer customers maximum potential for individual customisation, with an extensive range of exterior and interior accessories allowing owners to enjoy tuning and customising to suit their needs.

Assuming that some owners will participate in motor sport, the interior has been designed for the easy installation of a roll cage and, in the interests of weight saving, customers can forgo standard equipment such as the air-conditioning system and the audio unit.