A decision on a convertible version of the Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ is imminent
Toyota and Subaru are expected to make a decision soon on whether to put a convertible version of the GT86/BRZ rear-wheel-drive sports car into production.
Toyota GT86 project engineer Tetsuya Tada confirmed that a convertible version of the car was “technically feasible”. Given the engineering work already undertaken and the likely popularity of an open-top version, particularly in California, a production convertible is almost inevitable, and could possibly be on sale as early as 2014.
Toyota is keen to maintain its promising early sales momentum with a series of model variations and performance pack offerings. “We have not seen a third of the development planned for the GT86,” said Tada.
A black-box telemetry system is one of the developments, which can be retro-fitted to cars. It will record data from track days and allow drivers to compare their performance with other owners by downloading data onto PlayStations. They can also download online tutorials and demos, and Toyota engineers are currently mapping major tracks to note the GT86’s behaviour.
Getting the telemetry scheme signed off by Toyota’s conservative board wasn’t easy, according to Tada, but was aided by the keenness of enthusiast boss Akio Toyoda, who sampled the developing GT86 every month.
