Toyota’s arsenal of cars at this year’s edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed that takes place in Britain from July 11 to 14 will include the GT 86 TRD Griffon Project. If the name rings a bell it’s because the Japanese carmaker had originally presented the concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January this year.
Toyota Racing Developments (TRD) developed the 86 Griffon as a track racer keeping the road-going model’s 200-horsepower boxer engine intact, but upgrading the rest of the components and more importantly, shaving 500 pounds (226.7 kg) to bring the curb weight down to just 2,310 pounds (1,048 kg).
In particular, the bonnet, roof, doors, boot lid and rear wings are made from lightweight carbon fibre, while TRD further reduced weight by using carbonfibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) for the bumpers, wider front wings and rear diffuser, and polycarbonate instead of glass for all windows.
The track-focused GT 86 sports new aerodynamic enhancements along with interior improvements that include a TRD driver’s bucket seat, gear shift knob, ignition button and oil pressure and water temperature gauges, plus a Momo steering wheel and Takata seatbelts.
According to Toyota, a number of components were strengthened or upgraded, such as the new TRD mechanical LSD, a coilover suspension kit, shorter final gear ratio and new 18-inch wheels wrapped in Yokohama Advan tires.
PHOTO GALLERY
VIDEO