Toyota of Japan releases 41st Toyota 86 Touge drive video
In the latest video in the series, the Toyota 86 takes on the Yufuin-Hita road in the dark and rain.
And proves that the 86 is a car you can enjoy driving year-round, and is up to any conditions.
Yufuin and Hita are areas in the south of Japan, on Kyushu island. This is a very humid and wet area, and is well-known for its hot springs. Note how those springs come into play in the video.
We are using this video series to learn more about Japan, but also to plot a drive around the country one day. There are thousands of great roads to drive in Japan and places to see and this terrific series by Toyota has shown us dozens of places that we wouldn’t have known about otherwise.
Doumo arigatou gozaimasu, Toyota!
Toyota of Japan releases 40th Toyota 86 Touge drive video
Incredible: the 40th video in the series of touge videos created by Toyota of Japan to celebrate the Toyota 86!
Follow our complete coverage of the entire series of Toyota Touge videos in our “86/BRZ/FR-S” category.
Toyota of Japan releases 39th Toyota 86 Touge drive video
#39 in the long and engaging series released by Toyota of Japan to celebrate the “touge” characteristics of the new Toyota 86.
Follow our complete coverage of the entire series of Toyota Touge videos in our “86/BRZ/FR-S” category.
Toyota of Japan releases 38th Toyota 86 Touge drive video
#38 in the series of touge videos creates by Toyota of Japan to recognize the road trip attributes of the Toyota 86. We’re posting all the videos on our blog to honor the 86, but also because they are a terrific resource for people outside of Japan interested in the country – and perhaps (like us) taking their own drive in Japan one day.
Follow our complete coverage of the entire series of Toyota Touge videos in our “86/BRZ/FR-S” category.
Breaking news: Subaru announces Twin-Turbo BRZ!
Incredible news from Subaru, released just this afternoon in time for April. Everything everyone around the world wanted for our favorite new sports car, all delivered at once and in a single package.
How’s that for responsiveness to their customers? And Subaru certainly understands the power of the Internet!
Subaru Press Release follows:
April 1, 2013
SUBARU SURRENDERS AND CONFIRMS AWD TURBO CONVERTIBLE TWO-SEATER DIESEL HYBRID BRZ
- Maker Gives in And Admits Everything
Cherry Hill, N.J., – Bowing to continued media and internet speculation, Subaru of America has confirmed that it will launch an AWD Twin-Turbo Convertible two-seater Diesel Hybrid BRZ for sale in 2015. The new model essentially takes all of the media and internet rumors surrounding the highly successful BRZ sports car and delivers them in one fell swoop.
A spokesman for the company said: “Having just launched the current model to widespread critical acclaim, we are tired of fighting off the constant speculation about what’s “next” and so we are just giving in and delivering all the speculation in one vehicle.”
The new model, which is expected to have a starting price, will however NOT come with a much anticipated rear back-up camera. The spokesman confirmed that after shoehorning two convertible switches (up and down) onto the fascia there just wasn’t room for any more instruments. The AWD Turbo Convertible two-seater Diesel Hybrid BRZ will come in a single color, noseeum black and will be hand produced at Subaru’s Brigadoon facility.
More denials about future BRZ variants can be found at media.subaru.com
Happy April 1.
New Vortech Supercharger for FR-S/BRZ: not enough HP gain?
Vortech has released their new kit for the FR-S and BRZ twins.
Included parts:
- Gear-driven V-3 H67B centrifugal supercharger, designed specifically for the FA20 Boxer engine. Includes 3.48” drive pulley (approximately 9 PSI at factory redline) and G3 helical gear configuration.
- The V-3 features an internal oil reservoir. No connection between the oil pan and the compressor gear case is required; no oil line. Includes a remote fluid drain hose (attached to supercharger) that allows for simple fluid changes without removing the supercharger from the vehicle.
- Technologically advanced, high-efficiency, 5-Axis machined billet impeller and high-diffusion housing developed in our SAE-J1723-compliant supercharger test cell.
- Stylized airbox and filter housing design allows for additional flow, while retaining the factory cold air ram intake. Quick release fasteners allow for simple access to filter for change/cleaning.
- Integrated air/air charge cooler configuration features all aluminum tube ducting and an oversized cooler core to provide maximum cooling with minimum pressure loss.
- Discharge duct connections utilize heat-resistant silicon sleeves and premium quality stainless steel clamps.
- CNC machined billet mounting bracketry with black anodized finish for attractive and functional “factory-type” appearance and rigidity.
- All necessary belts, pulleys and reusable high-flow air filter.
Here’s a link to the installation manual: http://www.vortechsuperchargers.com/download.php?dir=pdf/manuals&file=4TF020-010v1.0.pdf
At approximately $5700 street, it’s a very well thought-out and engineered kit… but the problem is that it’s also mild. 240 rear wheel horsepower (claiming 294 gross HP at the flywheel) doesn’t cut it when you can supercharge an S2000 and achieve as high as 100 horsepower above this - with the same emissions certification and reliability. You’ll note the kit doesn’t include or require injectors (which would be an easy fix, since the car has both direct and port injection) or a fuel pump upgrade.
So the net-net in our humble opinion is that this is a small step forward, but still not as good a set of results as a factory engineered and turbocharged BRZ STI would provide. And where that car is – indeed IF it will ever be produced at all – is still a complete mystery.
Race-only Toyota TRD supercharger for Scion FR-S: $26,000
TRD has released a supercharger kit for the FR-S. Cost: $26,000, without tuning or electronics, and a minimum order of 2. Enthusiasts would be outraged, except this part is intended solely for Pirelli World Challenge race teams. Like the Continental Tire Challenge series, what you see racing on the track is not necessarily related to what you can buy. In fact, this supercharger is necessary for the FR-S to keep up with the other cars in the class.
It’s a nice kit, fits under the stock hood, and is obviously engineered well. We can only hope that TRD continues development, provides a tuning package and an emissions certification, and most especially gets the price down to the 6-7 thousand mark. It’d be hard to believe this isn’t the plan, but under the current circumstances this kit is expensive to produce due to ultra low volume production and start-up casting and engineering costs.
Toyota Press Release Follows:
March 1, 2013
To: Toyota Parts, Sales and Service Managers SUBJECT: Pirelli World Challenge/Scion Racing Parts Inquiries – FR-S Supercharger
As part of Scion and Toyota Racing Development’s participation in the Pirelli World Challenge series, regulations require Scion to provide parts information through Scion dealership Parts Departments. The requirement is meant to support Pirelli World Challenge race teams that have an interest in racing Scion products. An FR-S Supercharger has been developed by TRD for racing use only. The kit is set up for race teams only, and is not intended/legal for street use. The kit includes only the housing, manifold, rotor group, intercooler cores and low temp radiator. Any mounting/fitment details are the responsibility of the team purchasing the kit. Also, engine management software is the sole responsibility of the team.
Part Number Cost Minimum Order Quantity PTR29-00086 $26,000/Kit 2 Kits Order lead time on the kits is approximately 7 – 9 weeks.
Please note: there is no requirement or expectation that the Parts Department will stock Pirelli World Challenge racing parts. If an inquiry is received regarding this supercharger kit, please have the interested party call 1-888-551-2929, option 2.
Toyota of Japan releases 36th Toyota 86 Touge drive video
Episode #36 in the acclaimed video series. This one is again set in very early or late Winter, and is set to a jazz theme. Terrific!
Be sure to see our “86/BRZ/FR-S” category for all of our coverage of the Toyota 86/ Subaru BRZ/ Scion FR-S right back to the original Concept FT-86.