2017 Toyota 86 in Iowa City, IA - $17,248

It was hailed as nothing less than the return of the fundamental, affordable rear-drive sports car when it arrived a few years back, and now for 2017 it’s got a new name, a new look and higher performance: the Scion FR-S adopts the Toyota 86 identity used in other global markets, as Scion and its models transition back to the Toyota brand.

For ardent Toyota fans, ‘86’ is a revered badge, indeed. They know ‘AE86’ as the global name for the Toyota Corolla GT-S that sold in the United States in the mid-1980s. It was an affordable, tossable, rear-drive sports coupe with a high-revving engine. In Japan, it was known as “hachi-roku,” meaning 8-6.

For its move to Toyota, the 86 sports car adopted more aggressive styling with a larger center intake emphasizing the low, wide stance of the car. The front of the car has a new high-tech design with standard LED front headlamps, daylight running lights, and turn signals, a new fog lamp bezel and revised bumper. The rear sports LED tail lamps and more sculpted bumper design with integrated aerodynamic diffuser. The alloy wheels feature a new twisted spoke design and 86 logos have been incorporated into a badge on the front fender, as well as inside the front headlamps.

The Toyota 86 is powered by a 2.0L aluminum boxer engine. Among the engine’s high-performance features used to extract 100 hp per liter of displacement is the Toyota-innovated D4-S fuel injection system that combines direct injection and port injection technologies. The direct system provides a cooling effect in the cylinders, which allows the engine to use a high 12.5:1 compression ratio. The port fuel injectors come into play during light- and medium-load conditions to maximize combustion efficiency. Torque is communicated to the asphalt via a six-speed manual gearbox. A six-speed automatic transmission is also available. The high-performance drivetrain is completed by a standard Torsen® limited-slip differential that helps maximize traction between the rear wheels while cornering.

Enhanced control and agile performance are achieved through revised shock tuning and a spring rate change. On the manual version of the car, additional performance comes from a differential gear ratio change and revised engine tuning that increases horsepower and torque. The 86 also sports an ultra-low center of gravity, and its sleek body meets the wind with a low 0.29 coefficient of drag (Cd).

Inside the passenger cabin, the interior also features the 86 logo on the new “Granlux” material used on the instrument panel surround. The same material adds a new, soft feel to the door trim. Drivers also will enjoy new seating material with silver stitching and a revised steering wheel with integrated audio controls and an 86 logo on the center hub. Intuitive controls help the driver keep the focus on driving. A large center-mounted tachometer, the focal point of the easy-to-read gauge panel, integrates a digital speedometer and features a programmable rev indicator. It’s flanked on the left by an analog speedometer, while fuel level and temperature gauges are positioned to the right of the tachometer.

Classic sports car touches include simulated carbon-fiber dash and door trim and aluminum sport pedals and scuff plates. The Toyota 86 shows its practical side with a rear seatback that lowers to expand trunk space. Standard equipment includes Display Audio which features a seven-inch touchscreen display (which integrates the rearview camera), and eight-speaker Pioneer audio system.

Dimensions & specifications
Wheelbase: 101.2; overall length: 166.7; width: 69.9; height: 50.6
All vehicle measurements are in inches.

Engine: 2.0L four-cylinder boxer - 205 hp at 7000 rpm and 156 lbs-ft of torque at 6400 rpm (manual); 200 hp at 7000 rpm and 151 lbs-ft of torque at 6400 rpm (automatic)
Transmission: six-speed manual, six-speed automatic
EPA Fuel Economy: 21 city/28 hwy. (manual); 24 city/32 hwy. (automatic)
Cargo capacity: 6.9 cubic feet

Safety features
Dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side impact airbags, dual head curtain side-impact airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, brake assist, electronic brake distribution, traction control, vehicle stability control, smart stop technology, hill start assist control, rear view backup camera, remote keyless entry, automatic LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, Bluetooth hands free phone system, and tire pressure monitoring system.

Warranty
Basic: 3-year/36,000 mile
Powertrain: 5-year/60,000 mile
Corrosion: 5-year/unlimited
Roadside Assistance: 2-year/25,000 mile 24-hour

Pricing
The base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2017 Toyota 86 coupe starts from $26,255 for the manual and $26,975 for the automatic. Destination charges add $895.