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Updated Toyota 86 unveiled at New York Show (542)

An updated version of Australia's best-selling sports car, the Toyota 86, will be unveiled at this year's New York International Auto Show, running from March 25 to April 3.

Featuring revised exterior and interior design, as well as suspension and powertrain upgrades, the MY17 86 is scheduled to go on sale in Australia in the fourth quarter of this year.

More aggressive styling is focused on a larger grille, emphasising the car's low, wide stance.

Re-configured LED headlamps incorporate new indicators, sitting above redesigned fog lamp bezels and a revised bumper. At the rear, there are sports LED tail lamps and a new bumper.

The alloy wheel design has been refreshed, and the 86 logo has shifted to a stand-alone badge on the front fender, as well as inside the front headlamps.

On the inside, the high-grade GTS features a new, soft-feel 'Grandlux' material (reprising the 86 logo) on the instrument panel surround and door trims.

GTS drivers will also enjoy new seating material with silver stitching, as well as a steering wheel with integrated audio controls.

Under the skin, a revised suspension tune focuses on shock absorber and spring rates, while on manual variants additional performance comes from a gear ratio change as well as increases* to torque (+9Nm) and peak power (+4kW), with Hill Start Assist Control (HAC)^# helping prevent the car from rolling back on steep hills.

Toyota executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said since launching here in mid-2012, the front-engine, rear-wheel drive 86 has captured the imagination of local car enthusiasts.

"With sales in excess of 16,000^** units in Australia to date, the 86 has been a phenomenal success," Mr Cramb said.

"A pure focus on dynamic response and driver engagement has struck a chord with its growing fan base, and this 86 update is sure to add further fuel to that fire," he said.

^*Approximate figures only (Australian specification to be confirmed).
^#Hill-start Assist Control is a driver assist technology and should not be used as a substitute for safe driving practices.
^**16,456 YTD Feb, 2016 (source: VFACTS).

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