It’s not an understatement to say that the Toyota GT 86 is without question one of the most hotly anticipated models to come out of Toyota in quite some time. So when the car was officially revealed, we didn’t have to wait long to see a racing prototype come to life soon thereafter.
Turns out, Toyota Racing Development has developed not just one, but two prototypes based on the GT86: The N0 and the N1.
Official details behind the two models have yet to be revealed, but the Japanese website Response managed to take a few photos of the two cars as they were being prepared for the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. Compared to the 86 N0, the 86 N1 appears to be the more aggressively tuned of the two, as evidenced by the enormous carbon fiber rear wing the race car is sporting. The N1 also comes with the same logos and decals the N0 has, as well as special TRD badges found throughout the vehicle.
As far as engine enhancements are concerned, we’re pretty sure that TRD did something to both models to improve on their performance capabilities. Nothing has been announced yet, but we expect details to be revealed sooner rather than later.
It took around three years for the Toyota 86 sports coupe to be officially unveiled. And now that it’s here, the wait for a race-spec version of the sports car appears to be much shorter.
At the Gazoo Racing Festival - where the Toyota 86 was officially unveiled - two race-spec versions of the car also made appearances, both of which were tuned by Toyota’s in-house racing arm, TRD.
The first and less modified of the two is called the 86 "N0." Not a lot of details have been revealed at the moment, but photos taken by Japanese website Response revealed a few intriguing details about the model. To begin with, both the N0 and the N1 appear to be full-spec racing cars modified for track purposes. The former is the less modified of the two and doesn’t come with the carbon fiber rear spoiler on the N1, but still looks like it’s got the full checklist of racing paraphernalia down pat, including a race-spec exhaust system, a set of Volk Racing TE37 bronze wheels, and a full roll cage on the interior.
Performance enhancements are most likely done on the N0, although TRD has yet to reveal any information on that regard.
Nevertheless, when the time comes wherein the details emerge, we’ll be sure to bring them to you faster than you can say "Gazoo!"
Aston Martin will be going to the races in 2012 with a new Vantage GT3 race car, which was just unveiled by the British automaker. The new model will join the current Aston Martin racing line-up that includes the Vantage GT2, GT4, DBR9 GT1, and AMR-One LMP1.
John Gaw, Aston Martin Racing Managing Director said: "The DBRS9 has been a very successful GT3 racing car and, despite being more than six years old, is still competitive today. However, the competition has moved on and we needed to create a new car that combines our six years’ experience in this category with the latest race technology to continue Aston Martin’s success in GT3 for many years to come."
The new Vantage V12 GT3 is based on the V12 Vantage production car that’s already out in showrooms and its addition to the line-up of other Aston Martin race cars makes the British brand the only automaker to have a specific race car for every GT class.
UPDATE 11/21/2011: Aston Martin has announced that it has started testing the new V12 Vantage GT3 3 at Brands Hatch in Kent this week, covering almost 1000 kilometers in just two days with factory driver, Darren Turner, behind the wheel. John Gaw, Aston Martin Racing Managing Director, said: “The testing of the new V12 Vantage GT3 has gone really well. We haven’t had any significant issues with the car, despite having covered close to 1000 kilometers, exceeding all our expectations in the car’s first track test.
UPDATE 11/25/2011: If a few days ago we have reported that Aston Martin started to test the new V12 Vantage GT3 race car, now is time to actually see the car in action. After watching the video we can tell you one thing for sure: that car is fast! See for yourself!
Find out more about the Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 after the jump.
The latest video from the Rennsport Reunion IV event is called "This is how you meet your heroes" and, as its name suggests, it is a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with some of Porsche’s greatest racing heroes - be it cars or drivers.
Names like Hurley Haywood, Derek Bell, and Brian Redman are very familiar with Porsche fans and, in this video, these fans will get the chance to see them next to cars like the Porsche 917 and the Porsche 962 - cars that made history in the racing world. So, turn up your volume and listen to the exhaust notes of these two amazing cars.
It’s been a while since we last heard from Daihatsu so it was a bit surprising to find out that the Japanese automaker actually attended the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show with a concept called the D-X, pronounced d-cross. And to make things better for these guys, the concept actually looks good!
We don’t have an answer as far as a production future for the D-X Concept is concerned, although it appears that Daihatsu is promoting it as a Transformers-inspired vehicle that can take the shape of a number of vehicles, including a convertible, a roadster, a sporty van, and even a race car. Talk about taking versatility to a whole new level.
The D-X has a base look that can be shifted in a variety of different ways to suit the driver’s preference. Under its hood, the concept runs on a .66-liter two-cylinder engine that comes with direct injection and turbocharging technology. The words ’turbocharging’ and ’Daihatsu’ are about as likely to be put on the same sentence as Pintos and Ferraris, but the mere fact that it is actually speaks volumes to the strides Daihatsu is making in turning a new leaf for their company.
