With the remnants of the Scion brand being folded into the parent Toyota, the once and former FR-S is now the 2017 Toyota 86, a name that has been used for the car internationally since its initial release back in 2012.
Now that it’s a Toyota, the 86 gets an updated look for the new model year. The front air intake has been widened, a move that Toyota says is to enhance the car’s wide stance. Looks are subjective, but the new front end makes the 86 look a little like a frowning jack-o-lantern.
Other front-end changes are LED headlights, daytime running lights and turn signals. LEDs are also now used for the taillights, which go along with a new rear bumper.
Big news for manual transmission fans is that in manual cars only, revised gearing and engine tuning bumps horsepower from 200 to 205 and torque from 151 lb-ft to 156 lb-ft. That may not be a substantial gain, but at least for once something goes well for those who like to row their own gears.
The new name means new logos, and Toyota didn’t want anyone to forget the new name, so there are “86” badges on the front fender, inside the headlamps, on the instrument cluster surround and in the middle of the steering wheel.
Fuel economy for the 86 stands at 23 mpg city and 32 mpg highway for the six-speed automatic and 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for the manual.
Prices do go up with the name change, though. MSRP for the manual 86 is $26,255 and the automatic 86 is $26,975, representing a $950 and $570 increase, respectively.
The 86 will be in dealerships later this month.
Check out this TFLcar hot or not video of the Scion FR-S as its matched against its closest competitor, the Mazda MX-5 Miata:
