Toyota has pulled the covers off their latest concept car, an 86 Shooting Brake … a wagon. A wagon. Might be the coolest concept this year?

TOYOTA HAS REVEALED its 86 Shooting Brake, which is a fancy term for what we know as a wagon… or is this a hatch?  Either way, the original idea came from the local team in Australia, who then worked closely with Toyota Japan to create a real-life, working prototype. The shooting brake is very closely based on the 86 coupe, with absolutely minimal changes. Same length, wheelbase, mechanicals, even the lower half of the boot is the same.

According to Toyota, the idea with the 86 was that there would always be a family of 86-based cars.  The shooting brake looks set to retain all the driveability and fun of the 86, but with a little more practicality.

The 86 is already, for its size and coupe style, very practical as it has four seats and a fairly large boot. The shooting brake adds a little more height in the roof, and improves rear-seat headroom. However, as it’s on the same wheelbase there’s no more rear legroom which will be a critical factor for those looking to transport four people, and the boot is not any longer. However, the longer and flatter roof can now be used more easily for roofracks and pods.  The changes have added additional weight is 39kg, to make the unladen weight 1269kg.

The vehicle is driveable, and has been driven hard by Toyota’s test team who report it to be slightly more neutral than the coupe, yet losing none of the fun-factor.

As this is a concept car there’s no guarantee it will be produced…but that would be up to the reaction of the public. Toyota clearly want to extend the 86 family, otherwise it wouldn’t be investing in such vehicles.

What do you think, would you prefer one over the coupe?

Related links

• Toyota 86 track test
• What family sportscar should I buy?

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