UMW Toyota Motor has launched two cars in a single event in Sepang today.
The much awaited Toyota 86 combines the fun-to-drive approach of the original Toyota AE86, Toyota Sports 800 and the mighty Toyota 2000GT.
The first fruit out of the Toyota-Subaru relationship (Toyota has 16.5 per cent shares in Fuji Heavy Industries, the owner of Subaru), the engine cover bears the name of the two companies.
Powered by a 2.0-liter boxer engine so synonym to Subaru, Toyota must have contributed to the valve technology in that powerplant because it revs as smooth as Honda VTEC engines.
Transmission is a 6-speed auto with paddle shifters or a 6-speed manual, the latter for the more enthusiastic drivers. The car also comes with Traction Control, VSC, VSC Sports, ABS and EBD and BA.
Safety has always been paramount for Toyota, and they definitely did not want to take any risk. Luckily, the Toyota 86 does not feel like it was designed by a primary school discipline teacher.
We drove the automatic version around Sepang International Circuit’s south track for three laps with the Sports mode on. It was definitely easy to get the tail stepping out but since we were forbidden not to switch off the traction control, the computer allowed a limited drift angle before it kicked in and turned it safely into a more manageable understeer.
The All-New Toyota 86 is priced at RM 243,000 for the manual transmission and RM 249,000 for the automatic transmission. Six color options are available – Satin White Pearl, Crystal Black Silica, Sterling Silver Metallic, Lightning Red, Galaxy Blue Silica, and Orange Metallic.
Currently, the company has received more than 30 bookings for this car.
On the tamer side of the track, UMW Toyota has launched the all new Camry.
Now assembled in Shah Alam instead of Thailand, the new Camry is more luxurious and focus has been given more to provide a quieter cabin.
The All-New Toyota Camry is available in three variants, which comprises the top-of-the-range 2.5V, followed by the 2.0G, and the 2.0E. The 2.5V features a new 2.5 litre engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the 2.0G and the 2.0E are equipped with a 2.0 litre engine and a sequential shift automatic transmission.
The All-New Toyota Camry is priced at RM 149,900 for the 2.0E variant, RM 157,900 for the 2.0G and the 2.5V variant, which is our top-of-the-range model, is priced at RM 180,900. Four color options are available –Attitude Black is a new colour, followed by the Camry ‘signature’ colour White Pearl, Silver Metallic, and Medium Silver Metallic.
