14 Mac 2011

We’ve got a new Toy to play with

Toyota FT-86
The dark side ... Toyot's awesome FT-86

ONE model doesn't change a car firm - but it can make a big statement of intent.

And the car making the statement that Toyota are back into sports models is the FT-86 coupe, which will be on sale next year.

This is the world's biggest car firm returning a much-needed touch of glamour to their line-up.

It is five years since Toyota axed the Celica and the MR2 roadster and decided there was no place for sporting models in their portfolio.

They poured their considerable resources into worthy mainstream models and their determination to dominate the eco world of hybrids with the Prius.

Their obsession has paid off with more than two million sales and they are about to extend the model into a family of cars, along with adding a Yaris supermini version to the Auris hatchback.

The Yaris hybrid, apart from being green with a 1.3litre petrol engine and electric motor, is also the new more aggressive face of the Yaris supermini that is due to go on sale later this year. But for Toyota owners brought up on racy models such as the Supra, Celica and MR2, it's been a barren few years.

Toyota FT-86
A touch of glamour ... FT-86 coupe will go on sale next year

Fortunately, company boss Akio Toyoda is a petrolhead as well as an environmentalist and he has promised to put some sex appeal back into the brand. And having seen the FT-86 in the metal last week, I can tell you he is a man of his word.

This is one hot coupe. It looks like a miniature version of the Lexus LFA supercar. But while the LFA costs in excess of £300,000, the FT-86 - it will get a new name before it hits showrooms - could set you back as little as £25,000. The FT is oozing with aggression and attitude but a "green" 2litre turbo engine will give it both performance and useful fuel economy.

Lexus LFA
The future's orangs ... Lexus' LFA supercar

Just to confirm that Toyota still have their sensible side, they have brought out a compact people carrier - the Verso-S - which we've just tested.

We've also tested a special edition Prius, released to celebrate the model's tenth anniversary.

Toyota will be hoping the new models will help divert attention from their nightmare of 16million recalled cars in the past 15 months and put the focus back on cars with reliability and a bit of sex appeal.

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