Subaru BRZ and Toyota GT-86 + Videos of the car!

I’m sure by now, you would realize that the Subaru BRZ and the Toyota GT-86 look quite identical and in fact, they are! Since Subaru and Toyota join ventured into developing this new ride together. Just make you think back to when the AE86 came in two variants, the Levin and the Sprinter Trueno. Two boasting the same power plants with Subaru already announcing that the BRZ will replace the Legacy B4 as the GT300 contender for the coming new season of the SuperGT.

Will Toyota be doing the same and field the Hachiroku in the next SuperGT season as well? Anyway, all that will definitely be revealed soon but for now, let’s check out some videos from youtube. Starting with a video of the GT-86 being revved. (more…)

2012 Toyota GT 86 unveiled!

To all the fans of the AE86 (Thanks to anime like the Initial D that glorifies that car), the wait is finally over for a replacement to come in and take over the mantle as the driver’s drift machine. Now, the first time I saw the concept version of the car is at the KLIM’10 when Toyota Malaysia brought in the FT-86. During that time, I kept telling the guys at Toyota that I want one and everyone was speculating when a production model would actually surface. Well, I can say the wait we all have been waiting for is finally over. The new name, GT-86 was chosen as a tribute to Toyota’s GT car heritage and the exhilarating drivability of the Corolla Levin AE86. The Toyota GT-86’s official debut will be made at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

The all new GT-86 features a low, highly aerodynamic body and is powered by a 2.0 liter NA flat-four engine as a result of a joint developmebt program between Subaru and Toyota, combined with a D-4S (Direct Injection combined with port injection) technology. The 4-DS increases power and torque over a wide range of engine speed without sacrificing fuel efficiency and environmental performance. The engine power is an estimated 200HP at 7000 rpm even though on some sites, there’s a claimed 300HP version which is most likely the G-Sports variant? This engine will be mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The manual will offer quick and precise shifts with a short-throw, while the automatic transmission will feature sporty shifts controlled by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifts. Power will be distributed effectively to the rear wheels through a limited-slip differential.

Here’s more videos from the 86 launch at The 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011

Looking forward to it landing in Malaysian soil and hope that I’ll get to test drive it. Time to go bug the boys from Toyota all the way til this beauty lands.

R&D Sport Legacy B4 Drivers Interview – Video & Photos

Earlier in the day before the hottest weekend on earth begun, I had a chance to sit down with Tetsuya Yamano san and Kota Sasaki san at Motor Image as the R&D Sport Legacy B4 drivers take a break from their hectic schedule to tell me how it feels to be racing in Sepang.

Check out the interview after the jump. (more…)

GRA 2011 Round 1 @ Shah Alam Stadium

GRA or Grass Racing Autosports recently held their 6th autocross season’s round 1 at Shah Alam stadium, with some new cars coming into the race as well as a lot more girls to drool over. The novice class took to the track first before the seasoned racers take to the field from noon onwards. The circuit’s layout was designed to provide equal playing field for all drivers whether they are driving a FR, FF or AWD.

I headed over to the stadium at 10 in the morning and the novice’s race was already under way. The weather was extremely hot and the track was quite dusty but GRA’s organizer made sure everyone was well protected from the sun with the canopies lined up next to the track where sponsors of the race also put up their merchandise for the public to check out. Here’s some photos from the race. First, the cars… (more…)

Super GT series back for the 11th year

Come June 18 – 19, the Malaysian MotorSports Fraternity will be abuzz with the 11th edition of the Super GT series as JP Performance Motorsports (JPM) will be taking over the management of the Malaysian edition from this year onward. On the 19th of February, JPM and GTA Co. Ltd. signed the agreement at Equatorial Hotel as Sepang International Circuit is handing over the baton to JPM to manage with the hopes of producing an even more electrifying event.

“Super GT is the fastest Super Grand Touring car race in the world and it will be an honor to host it. SIC has been doing an excellent job before this and with their assistance, we hope to make this year’s event another major success in the Malaysian racing calendar” said JPM’s JP Chin. (more…)