The Toyota GT86 has been named the Car of the Year at the 2012 Vehicle Dynamics International Awards
This is a fantastic achievement for Toyota and for the Chief Designer of the GT86, Tetsuya Tada. An expert panel of engineers and journalists announced the results of the awards, expressing their delight in the design of the GT86. They commented, “Toyota has succeeded in its aim of recapturing the classic sports car experience in its new GT86.”
The award was presented jointly to the Toyota GT86 and its sister car, the Subaru BRZ.
GT86 arrives in the UK this July in Stoke on Trent, as a revival of Toyota’s sports car heritage. The GT86 is a truly beautiful machine which has been designed in every aspect to be a true driver’s car.
“…one of the best driving sports cars of the last decade” – Top Gear
Toyota’s Chief Engineer Testsuya Tada, pictured below, was also recognised for his work on the GT86, along with his Subaru counterpart Toshio Masuda. Both of them shared the award for VDI Dynamicist of the Year.
Additional to this, Toyota was also awarded the Dynamic Team Award, confirming the success of Toyota’s commitment to producing cars that are more rewarding to drive.
Graham Heeps, editor of Vehicle Dynamics International said; “For some time now we’ve been beating the drum for simplicity. Cars from major manufacturers that take a less-is-more approach and offer fun at legal speeds have been thin on the ground. That’s why we believe the Toyota GT86, and its twin sister, the Subaru BRZ are deserved recipients of the 2012 VDI Car of the Year Award.”
Judge Phil Morse, from the USA said; “A quick look at Toyota’s vehicle line-up should remove any doubt that there is a fierce competitor in the company driver’s seat, and that the tenets of motorsports – superior technology and the enjoyment of driving – serve as his guiding light.”
In addition, the award for the ‘Dynamics Team of the Year’ went to Toyota’s dynamics team, not only for its work on the GT86 but also because of the new emphasis on driving performance that is filtering down through products such as the latest Lexus GS.
Bruno Reinke, Toyota’s European Executive responsible for Chassis & Dynamics, explained their inspiration for the GT86, “Some time ago our president, Akio Toyoda, challenged us to make ‘even better’ cars. This award shows that we are heading in the right direction, and we will continue to make cars with a more dynamic character right across our range – from small city cars, through to sports cars and luxury vehicles.”
Our GT 86 is due to arrive in our show room on Thursday 12th July 2012 – wouldn’t it be great to be the very first person in Staffordshire to take it for a test drive?! Or the first to own one?! Email us on GT86@pinkstones.toyota.co.uk or call 01782 608 579 to register your attendance to our launch evening and to book your test drive!
