Toyota GT86 Shooting Brake concept revealed

Toyota has revealed a Shooting Brake concept of its well-received GT86 sportscar in Sydney, Australia. Developed by Toyota Australia’s product design team, the concept is said to be a driveable vehicle that has been put through its paces on Toyota test tracks.

Toyota 86 chief engineer, Tetsuya Tada said the “nicely weighted and direct steering of the 86 ensures the car retains the involving drive experience of the coupé with a slightly more neutral feel in tight corners”.

The prototype was hand-built in Japan under the direction of the global sports division, and according to the car manufacturer, the four-seat sportscar offers more rear head room and luggage space.

The car retains the wheelbase and the front fascia of the original sportscar. The roof is now stretched all the way to the rear, where the styling is a complete departure from the original, sporting a new vertical tailgate and a slim windshield.

Tada added that Toyota wanted to gauge reaction to the concept, which was conceived only as a part of an internal design study. He said: "While we never say never, and I would love this concept to become a production reality, it is very much a concept that demonstrates the passion within Toyota for cars that are fun to drive."

Toyota UK also said the concept was a “local Toyota Australia project unveiled at launch of local GT86 race series” with no plans for production.