New website FT86club is fast proving to be the go to place for the latest information on the ‘Toybaru’ project. The Toyota–Subaru collaboration has achieved much attention across the globe and especially in the world of internet forums. The climax of that build up will be reached early next month when both cars are revealed [...]
As well as this new image above engine specs, and more, for the upcoming Toyota FT-86 have been revealed in new leaked material (check out the source link). To summarise the key data, the standard FT-86 will feature a 147kW normally aspirated 2.0 litre four cylinder boxer engine, confirming its ‘Toybaru’ roots. Peak power is [...]
Supposedly we’re looking at a genuine Toyota ‘Modellista’ brochure for the FT-86. The much hyped rear-wheel drive sportscar will make its public debut at the Tokyo Motor Show (3–11 December). The transition to production car has remained reasonably faithful to the concept. The biggest changes are around the front wing/spoiler treatment and given the radical [...]
Despite the demise of the Rick Damelian empire, one of Sydney’s largest dealership networks, new vehicle sales were buoyant last month. A total of 86,819 sales were registered, an increase of 1765 (2.1%) on the same month last year. Year-to-date a total of 752,128 new vehicles have been sold and the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries [...]
Things are looking up as far as new vehicle sales in Australia are concerned. At total of 88,082 sales were recorded in August. That’s up 7091 compared to the previous month and 5960 more than August 2010. Steve Payne, FCAI acting Chief Executive, explains the market is trending upwards after a slow start to 2011, [...]
Toyota’s radically styled TMG EV P001 has smashed the lap record for an electric vehicle at the Nürburgring. This is just the third genuine attempt at an EV record around the demanding Nordschleife, following MINI and Peugeot, but Toyota’s lap time of 7 minutes 47.794 seconds is going to take some beating! Jochen Krumbach was [...]
A total of 80,991 new vehicles were sold last month according to official VFACTS numbers. That represents a small drop of 1.7% compared to July 2010. Steve Payne, FCAI Acting Chief Executive, explains the year-long trend is lower again, “While the drop in sales in July is small compared to the same month last year, [...]
Here’s all the left over bits from the Australian International Motor Show. The cars that didn’t quite have enough material for their own sub-gallery or, in some case, cars that usually don’t fit the AUSmotive niche. The Suzuki Swift S-Concept you see above caught our eye. It looks quite sharp, don’t you think. Speaking of [...]
While work utes are not usually the focus of attention for AUSmotive we have given the new Volkswagen Amarok a bit of air time. With that in mind we thought this video review pitching the Amarok against the undisputed class-leading Toyota Hilux was worth sharing. It’s a no nonsense comparison produced by the NRMA and [...]
Recent word from Toyota confirms their FT-86 II Concept, first revealed at Geneva in March, will be on show at this year’s Australian International Motor Show. In its new rotating host arrangement the 2011 show will be held in Melbourne (1–10 July). Toyota Australia’s senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner is excited by [...]
April’s Easter and Anzac day holiday break is being cited as the cause for an 8.8% drop in sales compared to 2010 figures. In all 74,214 new vehicles were sold. Japanese marques are expected to have temporary ongoing supply issues following the unfortunate earthquake and tsunami. Toyota and Holden continue their reign as the country’s [...]
The Toyota FT-86 II is the car which is supposed to reignite the soul of the Japanese auto giant. A rear-wheel drive sports coupe with provocative styling is a pretty good place to start, too. Via their FT86club website Toyota has provided some sound clips of their new hero model. Hmm, we’re sure it will [...]
March was another month without much fanfare as far as vehicle sales go. The official press release from FCAI is very matter of fact. In real terms, though, the numbers don’t seem too bad. A total of 93,984 sales were registered, a drop of just under 1% compared to March 2010. FCAI Chief Executive Andrew [...]
You can tell it’s not been a great month for new vehicle sales when less than a handful of companies issue press releases. That’s certainly been the case with February’s sales, which fell 1.6% on 2010 numbers. FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar is talking things up, though, claiming private buyers are out in force, “Sales [...]
Toyota is claiming the cardigans are off and its passion for sports car driving is back with the launch of the FT-86 II Concept. It’s the latest effort in the Toyota–Subaru joint development. Based on the press release, this is also pretty much how the production version will look when it goes on sale in [...]