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2017 Toyota 86 improves on Scion FR-S (pictures)

Only slightly modifying the hot styling of the Scion FR-S, the renamed Toyota 86 gains new badging consistent with the Japanese market, and more power.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
2017 Toyota 86
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2017 Toyota 86

As Toyota dropped the Scion brand, the it renamed the former FR-S the Toyota 86.

2017 Toyota 86
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2017 Toyota 86

Along with the new badging, Toyota made some changes to the model, making it a bit of refresh.

2017 Toyota 86
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2017 Toyota 86

Along with slight styling changes, the car gets a power improvement and new suspension tuning.

2017 Toyota 86
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2017 Toyota 86

Toyota revised the front bumper, along with the 86 rename.

2017 Toyota 86
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2017 Toyota 86

The 86 retains its front-engine, rear-wheel-drive format.

2017 Toyota 86
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2017 Toyota 86

The grille sits low on the front, mostly obscured by the hood overhang.

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2017 Toyota 86

LED lights adorn the headlight casing, and the 86 emblem is etched in the side of the lens.

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2017 Toyota 86

Vents on the front fender add a performance look.

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Enthusiasts will appreciate the bump in power for the direct injection 2-liter four-cylinder engine. It now produces 205 horsepower and 158 pound-feet of torque.

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2017 Toyota 86

Toyota notes that it retuned the suspension, hopefully making for even better handling.

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2017 Toyota 86

The FR-S, and now the 86, is not about power, but about engagement through nimble handling.

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2017 Toyota 86

As a 2+2 seat coupe, the 86's practicality is limited.

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2017 Toyota 86

The wide haunches on the 86 contribute to the sporty look.

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2017 Toyota 86

The sharkfin antenna, for satellite and terrestrial radio, comes standard.

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2017 Toyota 86

Toyota notes that it fitted the new 86 with LED taillights.

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2017 Toyota 86

Toyota does a nice job of integrating the exhaust tips with the rear fascia.

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2017 Toyota 86

The 86 sports twin exhaust pipes.

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2017 Toyota 86

Beyond the interior 86 badging, there isn't much difference in the cabin from the former FR-S.

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2017 Toyota 86

Toyota keeps the dashboard relatively uncomplicated.

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2017 Toyota 86

The six-speed manual transmission delivers satisfying shift action.

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2017 Toyota 86

Sport seats offer light bolstering.

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2017 Toyota 86

The steering of the FR-S was very quick and responsive, a trait we can hope is retained in the 86.

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2017 Toyota 86

The 86 badge sits proudly on the steering wheel.

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2017 Toyota 86

Showing its sports car character, the tachometer sits front and center.

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2017 Toyota 86
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