Cusco 1-2 gear set and Final Drive Gear set and Limited Slip Differential
1st - 2.946 vs 3.626 (stock)
2nd - 2.011 vs 2.188 (stock)
Final Drive gear available in 4.556

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Every year in April, the Grand Prix of Long Beach comes to life, held in downtown streets of Long Beach that's transformed into an international raceway of 3.17 kilometers.
This year was special however, with some really special guests from Japan attending as guests.

With the final race for Toyota Pro-Celebrity Race after 40 years of rich history, it was also the last time the Scion FR-S would race with these Pros and Stars of American culture.
86'S (pronounced Hachi-Rocks) in Japanese, are the largest of Japan's Toyota 86 owners club, and some of the key folks came to share the moment at this race, and greet the USA fan-base as well as get a taste of Southern California.  The Tour also included a visit to the California Sciencenter to see the Space Shuttle Endeavour, The Peterson Automobile Museum, City of Los Angeles and Hollywood, A drive through scenic Palos Verdes, and The Toyota Museum USA.

Also in attendance were the creators of the Toyota 86/ Subaru BRZ, Chief Engineer Tetsuya Tada, who we are very familiar with by now, but this time accompanied by Sports Car Planning Division Manager, Hiromitsu Kishi, and the man who is responsible for the beautiful exterior design of the Toyota 86, Chief Designer Takayasu Furukawa.   Cusco International (Carrosser) also came along, with Cusco USA Director, Kenji Inoue as well as the Cusco International CEO, Tsutomu Nagase.   Coming to greet them from the USA side, top sales person of the Scion FR-S in the USA, Jeffrey Chang of Longo Toyota/Scion, Auto-Tuned's Young Tea, Robert Stangarone rocking his RSR FRS, Ryan Nambu's 70's Classic Edition FRS, and countless others who all came to shake the hands that bond the globe as fans of the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ.  Vossen's Mike Forsythe, Lexus International's Paul Williamsen,  Kaizen Factor's Ryan Bacsafra, Beat-Sonic USA's Eric Kwon, and Socal South-bay 86's Ron Bautista, Sandy Lirag and his family to celebrate the unveiling of the DAMD OEM+ "Vantage 86!!" and hundreds of FRS/BRZ owners of the West Coast!

I guess pictures speak a lot more than my poor English so I will just show you these following photos.   Can't you just see the joy, the friendship, the fun, and wonders that is the 86's fanbase?

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The Meaning of Kouki, Refining the Toyota 86

Engineers and related task staff of the Toyota 86, are working 24/7 for the last 8 years on this project, and even now, are very much involved in the refinement, and catering all this updates to us, for the 2017's revised version. There's many locations in the body structure spec alone that has been revised, all very minute in detail and very unusual, in the industry to spend such R&D on each tiny revisions, but collectively, refine the car to another level of defining identity.

All-New? That depends on our own definition of what this is.
Do we welcome it? Definitely!

If you like French Roast, this one will be Jamaican Blue Mountain, I think that is the way I'd put it... It's still very much, coffee as we come to love.

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For the USA market, the Scion FR-S will be renamed the Toyota 86 with the merging of Scion brand to it's parent brand, Toyota.  That's old news in the days of internet era.  It's two weeks old by now...

But here's my thoughts on the 2017...Toyota 86.
This new Toyota 86 will also be a year when it will receive its first minor change, or what we enthusiast in JDM scene, will call the "Kouki" model, denoting the mid-cycle changed "Late Model"

The "Kouki 86"will see a change best appreciated by the fans of the current models, says sources.  While the engine will still be a flat-four FA20 that has powered the Scion FR-S/ Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ since 2013, the 2017 will feature extensive tweaks in myriads of ways inside, each subtle, but collectively very significant, to enhance response, fluidity, an even more linear torque delivery, and tactility for performance drivers.  What these changes will actually consist of is still unpublished, but we are expecting a more closer number to the catalog output of 205 ps than previous models had respectively to its catalog spec of 200.  So the "actual" increase might not be just 5 hp difference of catalog's 200 to 205 at all, but much more.  This also applies to the torque figures.
Also I would assume, that the changes in power output is basically a side-effect of honing the engine to even higher levels of control and communication character to the driver, so while the output may still be modest, the thrill and engagement for an experienced driver has been greatly enhanced.

What we gather in the more obvious and generic levels, as debuted at New York Auto Show this past weekend, is the exterior and interior cabin changes.
The headlights of the 86 are now integrated with the turn signals in the main assembly.  Where-as the previous "Zenki" (early models) were separated in the lower bumper, the new 86 will open up this area on the front bumper for a much wider funnel-effect engine air intake and under-hood venting.  This change is also, something that resulted from enhancing driver experience, and the aesthetics are something of a  result of this priority.  So there are visually controversial flow of complex lines and shapes, which are not as simple and visually linear.  But again, there seems to be a huge level of R&D performed with various prototyping and testing to derive with enhanced stability aerodynamically over the last model, which was already very good in this regard.
The rear bumper also has slight changes to the crease lines to reflect the flow both visually and more importantly for the Kouki, the aerodynamics.

We will wait a bit more to get a good high resolution photograph from official press releases or leaks, but here's something interesting that someone leaked from the Subaru side of operation.

We can see in the photo of the cluster, there is a new LCD display panel where there used to be dummy lamps and a fuel gauge on the right-most dial.  The screen, if you look closely, extends past the dial border, and into the center circle, and is a rectangular display.  By the size of the display it looks to be about the same size as the Subaru WRX and STI's center information display unit, or something seen in Toyota Sienna and Corolla/Scion iM as Multi-Information Display.
In the photo, it is simply displaying a right door open indication, but this will feature much more flexibility in terms of the type of information, compared to dummy-lights like before.
For example, it can display a more useful things like Fuel Range, and other types of Trip Computations.  It can also display much more precisely what might be wrong with today's complicated automotive systems, and even user-selected preference options of various vehicle parameters.  Specific to the 86/BRZ, it is also possible to show things like performance driving logs, or track performance items like laps and such...  I know already that even the first 2013 Zenki models has on-board data logging and output capability hidden in the Body Control Unit, which we have seen various reverse-engineered plug-in devices have utilized already as popular products.  And this output from the Zenki was already used to combine additional data to a PlayStation 3 specific device in Japan for logging GPS+Vehicle Data, to render a Gran Turismo 6 Replay based on real driving at a real raceway.  Perhaps that sort of output can be organized and used for the MID screen here in the 2017?  Only time will tell, but even if basic, it should be able to display key things like Voltage, Oil Temp, Water Temp, VSC action mode, and much more already on the car as output untapped.  I hope it's something useful to us "driving enthusiasts."

The Kouki's Steering wheel spoke has been revised a bit at the spokes to accommodate a steering wheel control button array, (perhaps more to really dig and control the MID display areas) as so commonly available to other cars today.   We can see there;s also the usual phone and radio controls as well.
I personally liked the Zenki type for its classic simplicity visually.   But I guess as the car ages a bit in the market, it needed some of the generic things that most consumers expect in a car at this price?  At least, this is what Toyota does well, so I can't be complaining here.    Hardcore tuners of classic AE's have hacked away at these things and made things their own way in the past anyway.  More variety of parts a decade from now, all the better, I say.

Speaking of interchangeability, I am willing to bet pretty hard, that the bumpers, headlights, and tail-lamps can easily be swapped between the Zenki and Kouki models, with just a tad of wiring and socket pinning. The fender panel and hood seems to be exactly the same on both generations so there shouldn't be any cutting or filling required.

Here's something I got too from some folks in Japan of what seems to be a tail light from a Kouki 86.  Seems to be what is on the presentation model shown at New York last weekend.
There seems to now be a uncommon "projector" type unit inside the far ends...  Also an array of LED's it seems to be as well but the brake lamp area of the red covered section we see almost classic diffuser-spread style lighting of older cars.  Nice.   Now if you see what I see at the top...seems to be a fin?  It's not attached to the trunk so it might be hanging from something like a wing huh?

Unrelated to this writing, but the Chief Engineer Tetsuya Tada said from New York Auto Show, that there's significant aerodynamic changes, so this might be something we can expect? A proper wing for the first time in 86/BRZ for the USA?  Let's wait and see as time closes in...

I'll keep you informed if I think of anything else or see something...

Kouki Toyota 86 2017

The following photos, from Toyota's Global Pressroom website: http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/toyota-86-nyias-2016.htm

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2016 Toyota GRMN 86, Limited Production to 100 Units Unveils at Tokyo Auto Salon 2016

We've always stuck our necks out in hopes to buy the limited model from last year, the 14R60 sold only in Japan with a whole ton of cool track-ready and functional differences, some elaborate as much as dry carbon roof, and swan neck wing.  We never got them outside of Japan however, and this new model, also slated near $60,000 USD (Y6,400,000 JPY) is again slated for orders on Japan only next year starting on January 4th, 2016.
This GRMN considered some of the 14R60 complaints of not having a drastic engine spec changes over the standard 86.  And notably as a result, will come with completely hand-balanced, and built FA20 with internal components coated with friction reducing racing treatment, and plenty of tricks that took the Gazoo Nurburgring 24 Hour car to victory.  It's mated to a specially treated and rebuilt close ratio 6 speed manual box as well.  Catalog rating for the GRMN's engine is Naturally Aspirated 216ps/21.1kgm which is roughly 10% higher than normal FA20, but the biggest difference being the utter ability to spin smoother, and rev higher and endure much more abuse. It also produces peak torque at nearly 1000 rpm lower revs, as well as peak horsepower at 300 higher rpm, making the power delivery linear and stable all the way to upper ranges.

Among the more visible side of the tuning is much like the 14R60, where dry carbon roof as well as hood, and even trunk lid this time are used.  Side glass are all replaced with high gloss UV poly-carbonates, as well as the rear window.   Front glass is replaced with high-durability lightweight composite glass that reduces weight as well as adds rigidity.  More dry carbon can be found in the side garnish for the fenders, and bottom skirts and front lip area too.  All functionally designed in the Toyota R&D wind tunnels of course.
While there are these obvious exterior cues, most of the tuning is something only the extremely talented and capable drivers will notice, and as such, is a completely refined "driver's car" rather than something flashy conjured by marketing ideas.  Computer re-tune of the engine, throttle and ABS are obvious, but in this package, a very factory-only re-tune expertise are applied such as te-rune of the VSC, LSD actuation, steering programming, braking balance, and suspension damper valving, all original and extremely specific to these 100 cars.   The newly developed seats are from Recaro and are realigned at the reclining angle for the 86's cockpit as well.   Front brakes feature a racing mono-block 6 piston caliper and drilled rotors, and rear having now a 4 piston as well, and in addition to reclaim the body alignment added by the increased forces, there are strategic reinforcements both at the sub-frame add-on, as well as in the integral parts of the uni-body.   Despite all the additions though, combined with the replacement of dry carbon goods and interior upgrades, the weight is kept exactly the same as the standard model GT grade, at a mere 1230kg curb weight.  This means this car will move down a raceway quite differently than the standard 86 in the hands of a good driver.

In fact these, like the 14R60 will be taken offline from Subaru at mid-production, and hand assembled to this spec at the Toyota's Motomachi Plant where race cars, and extremely high end, low production cars like the Lexus LFA and last of the best Toyota Land Cruisers were hand-built as the normal agenda.  These 100 cars will slip through there and met with few dozen extremely qualified craftsmen for the assembly.  So in other words, this is the truly Toyota-built "86" when we consider all the important assembly that takes place here, and modified from the production standard 86.

(translated from Press Release materials Toyota Japan, Response article, and other sources.)
Photos: Response.jp

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Scion FR-S Release Series 2.0 releases in January 2016 (Update)

So here is a little update on the Scion FR-S Release Series 2.0, previewed last month. This month, the vehicle was displayed at the LA Auto Show to general public for the first time, following the industry release at SEMA.
The car is said to be officially launching at the start of January 2016 in limited number of 1000 units. With a rough count of how many Scion dealers and regional breakdown, that roughly translates to an allocation of about 1~2 cars per dealer.

Participating dealers will start taking deposits as early as immediately this month, so go inquire at your local dealers soon, if you are interested. Individual parts that make this car unique, as with any Release Series Scion cars, are not available as parts or accessories.
The RS 2.0 features saddle tan accented leather/microfiber-suade combo seats and interior panels, off-white paint, and luxury features akin to Japan's Limited model such as Smart-Key system, Dual Zone Climate Control, Leather padding at center and knee console, Seat heating, HID/LED headlight, Auto Headlight, as well as a very sedate, functional front spoiler and trunk extension. Concave fin spoke wheels are also unique to this car, in black chrome finish.

Overall, it is a more of a contrast from the RS 1.0 which was more of a boy-racer sports package, while dynamically the RS 2.0 will be nearly identical in driving finesse, the visual cues here are more of an sultry mature state that blends with high fashion and statement of sensual side of sports car ownership.
I think they've hit yet another consumer base they could have tapped all along, as the car certainly fits and lives up to the genre here well enough with beautiful body lines alone.

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2016 Scion FR-S Release Series 2.0 (RS2) Updated 11/2015

Coated in a modern fashion, soft-gray gloss, sans the passe pearl or the glitter of cheesy metallic, the FR-S Release Series 2.0 (aka RS 2.0) is a second in the limited RS series FR-S from Scion. The production volume will be limited to 1000 units.

The exterior is the counterpart to the Release Series 1.0 of yellows and race-car extensions. The RS 2.0 is a concept that reminds us of pastels and grays of post-War classic cars of the 40's and 50's from Europe perhaps. Sophistication really, is the new game here, and if we imagine what sort of fashion fits this, I can honestly say with a single word, nostalgia. Gentlemen in brown wool jackets, with oval elbow patches, and ladies with big felt ribbon hats, and long burgundy skirts... I mean, seriously, if you like this treatment, then you'd definitely need to replace your current wardrobe to something from the 1940's. And that is, really cool.

The interior will be covered in the saddle-polished leather that seems to be much thicker than standard issue Toyota palettes. The color combination is very classy, bordering on the term "traditional" if it wasn't for the time-slip gray exterior. Like the Monogram, RS 1.0, and Scion 10 editions, the RS 2.0 does have Smart-Key, and HID/LED headlight assembly as well as covered padded center console, along with automatic dual-zone climate control that everyone seems to opt for these days. The dash panel is covered in faux-suede reaching for the bigger wallet tastes too.

Exterior extensions are also all-new, but so subtle that it just flows and blends into the complex curves of the FR-S. There is a ABS front lip that extends just enough to keep the FR-S shape relevant. The trunk spoiler is color keyed to the lid but smaller and more gently raked than any previous spoiler on this car. The wheels too, are in the current trend of black-chrome. For many fanatics, this looks a lot like the BRZ tS/STI wheels blended with Enkei RS05's bent spoke cues, but they are not piano-black and are 17 inch stamped with FORGED markings... The last bit hinting at the TRD USA origin of where the wheels are sourced.

All in all, for most people who witnessed it for the first time, it is an unexpected departure in focus from the racy show-car toy trends the FR-S is often built toward.
It's a bit confusing to most who've followed this car since 2012, and even more so for people who associate Scion as an economy brand. However, if you can re-frame your mind to think that Scion is where Toyota does weird experiments which has been really what it is about since the start, then it makes much more sense.

I sort of like the RS 2.0 package, and it's probably going to create a lot of noise, controversy, and debates online among Social Media netizens soon. And guess what? That's exactly what a niche car should do, and create a non-universal fan-base of exactly 1000 units.

Like the much more decadently appointed and sky-high priced Japanese edition called the Style Cb that appeared on the market there earlier this year, this one is reaching for a whole new demographic obviously. But we'll wait till the marketing campaign begins to see where and who Scion has in mind exactly, for the Western Hemisphere.  Regardless, I find it tasteful.

(UPDATE 11/22/2015)  According to Scion Officials, the Release Series 2.0 will go on sale in January 2016.  The estimated pricetag will be $30,000 for the manual transmission and $31,000 for semi-automatic paddle shift transmission.  USA Scion dealers will be taking orders as early as start of December 2015.

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Toyota S-FR Concept at the Tokyo Motor Show 2015

Among the featured concepts though the surprise of the show is the Toyota S-FR.  A ultra-compact 2+2 seat, Rear Wheel Drive sports car.
With overall length of 3990 mm, width of 1695 mm, wheelbase of 2480, it is considerably smaller than the current Toyota 86 (Scion FR-S), and even undercuts the dimensions of the recent ND  Mazda Roadster (Miata MX5) for all but the overall length by some couple inches.

From the photos it has many nostalgic cues of of the old Sports 800.   And, the long nose really defines the character as a FR sports car of classic shapes.
It's stated in the press release that it does have a manual transmission with 6 speeds, and conceptualized to be a very re-configurable car for customization in the aftermarket realm.
Further research apparently went into making it even lighter than it looks from the dimensions of it.   It's claimed to be designed not only as a sports car, but something the owners can enjoy it as a mode of transport with tactility, fun, simplicity and inexpensive entry price.

Now for the important things we want to find out, they didn't release, or the fact that this is even slated for production.   No planned dates, no pricetag, and moreover, no designation of the engine...  But, it certainly does peak our curiosity, as a compact lightweight of this class will be even more affordable, capable (if just for the light chassis) and tons of fun, possibly more than the current Toyota 86.  We'll just have to wait and see for more details to be released on this.   And in the meantime, raise your voices and tell everyone, "WE NEED THIS CAR TOO!"

Toyota S-FR Concept ( Source of information: Toyota Global Newsroom http://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/detail/9737083/ )

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86 Style with BRZ 2015 Fuji Speedway
August 2nd , 2015

Again for the 5th year, the world's largest AE86, Toyota 86, and Subaru BRZ Event came to Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka Japan, this August 2nd, 2015.   On site were 2100 cars, and 5000 people, who all took part in various things from gymkhana, road circuit racing, dirt trial, photography lessons, and many other interactive events.  On display were all the recent concept cars, and production trends, new options, and 100's of aftermarket builders and manufacturers displaying the latest equipment.
Celebrities in motorsports none short of Keiichi Tsuchiya, and Junichi Wakisaka, as well as Akira Iida came out to speak to the audience.
Event mastermind, Mr.Kishi of Toyota also hosted the annual 86 Green Cup as well, which the RSR Team along with Eric Kwon of RSR USA, won the title.

Sandy Lirag of OEM Audio+ came out to launch the Reference 400CF+J to be distributed by Cusco Japan for the Japanese market, wishing to equip more 86/BRZ users with unparalleled audio experience, and was represented by Cusco Demo cars, Bride Racing Seat demo car, and the famous Ushi-Kun colored Maruman 86 built with care by the one and only Hiromitsu Mannen of Maruman Motors Hokkaido.
TRD brought out the latest with Yellow 86 TRD Nurburgring Package, the venerable and notorious limited edition 14R60, and the pace-setting concept racing car, the Griffon 014.
Initial D Girls graced the venue, as well as umbrella gals from every major manufacturers and N1 Taikyu and D1 Grand Prix Teams.

What made it most special for me though, at this event was that it was also the location of my wedding as well.  Accompanied by Mr.Tada, the Chief Engineer of the FT86 Project, as well as Chief Exterior Designer, Mr. Furukawa, my wedding announcement was held on stage with stories of my past introduced to the audience.  It's been a joy to be hosted by Toyota's key officials for the vehicle, and it will be a day to remember as one of the best, if not the best of my life.  Joining me on stage were two other couples who've met with Toyota 86 activities, celebrating their joys in life as well.

Adam Zillin of 7Tune, came to shoot the event and hitched a ride with me on the parade lap of 200 cars, around Fuji lead by the leading 86 Cup car drivers, Drift King.  I had a chance to lead this pace lap in a 86 Open Concept II, convertible 86...

Photo: Motohide Miwa (Club4AG) / Sandy Lirag / Adam Zillin (7 Tune)

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