The
stability and safety dances behind Toyota's steering wheel over the
years making the enthusiast "dancers" feel that is a boring
occupation, and perhaps because of that, the emergence of all-new sports
car aroused actually a great of passion and inspiration only after the
first dance with Toyota 86.
Former Air Force Base, Mendig Airport, in Germany currently used as a
venue of test drive in the country, and in the first time, it has
become the place to experience feelings of reporters, journalists from
all over the world when behind the wheel of Toyota 86, which sends a new
message to the enthusiasts worldwide from this Japanese company. You
may get it after a while.
The engine begins to roar, the screech of tyres on the road, the 86
appears with a full-exciting drift dispelling the cold feelings of early
morning on the track, as promising and inviting all to dance
passionately with her. Then, appearing in the morning fog, I feel
there is something really new and exciting in the walk and Tetsuya
Tada's eyes as soon as the chief engineer steps off the car.
He introduced and talked about the new sports car, the changes in
design philosophy to help the driver experience the feeling of driving a
fast, powerful and fun-to-drive car and that called Waku Doki. Looks
like he was talking about major changes of Toyota.
Thick fog and restricted visibility in the Mendig morning were a part
of which making the initial driving rounds a bit shy and cautious, at a
speed of approximately 100 km/h, but the next rounds were really
different when I got used to the terrain and the 86. The driver and car
as a unified, and racing in excitement, especially when cornering at
speed 90 - 100 km/h, then, it left a regret feeling when the last run
ended.
I had also a great time while sitting next to a professional driver
and enjoyed the 86 showing its dancing abilities follow the whirling
drifts. I felt a little jealous with the guy sitting behind the wheel,
but told myself that I will drive 86 along the streets of the Cologne
ancient city on the next day.
A new day begins, the colorful convoy run slowly in tandem in the
city. I drived the 86 equipped a manual transmission through the streets
of ancient and peace Cologne. Feeling very well every movement of the
legs with pedal when shifting, throttling, braking... all easily and
gently.
I felt feeling better than when behind the automatic gearbox car on
the track yesterday. After lowering the window, I enjoyed fresh air and
cool breeze of the morning caress the face making. I feel like dating my
lover, the 86 at that time.
After the strong roar of engine, a Toyota 86 run forward and left me
behind. I just leisurely enjoy my own sweet to the winding road with
hills on the edge of the city. Raising the window, adding force to the
pedal, and the game began! It is time to enjoy a truely Waku Doki dance
of Toyota 86.
The sports car speedometer rised above 100 km/h, the excitement
rushed to me very fast and I felt the rhythm of dance changed
constantly. Many cars with different colors forming a line to pass
narrow cornerings, the brake lights is on continuously, as the scene in a
real race. That is one of the best feelings in my life.
The 86 offers not only fun to drive, but also accurate steering,
powerful and flexible performance. Wheels glued to the pavement. The
handling of the car in cornering very definitive and accurate. Left,
right, right, left… I enjoyed one of the best sports car and the winding
road around the hills of blue grapes, stretching endless.
Half a day passed quickly. For lunch break, I have some slices of hot
pizza and a grape juice at an outdoor restaurant which located at the
foot of the hill for relax before the final journey on the highway with
no speed limit back to the hotel.
"No Speed Limit" really stimulated my thought. And I'm not alone.
Most of the journalists attended the test drive are familiar faces, with
good driving experiences, however, driving a sports car at the highest
possible speed on the road always is a rare opportunity.
And just like that, you started turn on the highway, everything
becomes a lot faster. Seeing a speed of 150 km/h on the dashboard, but
feeI like the car standing in one place, while the other cars raced
ahead. Very quickly, the speed up to 190 km/h. Towards to the outer
lanes, then, the 86 began go ahead of the other cars and a feeling of
excitement invasived body when I started make a smoke for the behind
cars.
Above 200 km/h, still see a car in the back flashing to overtake!
This road is a paradise for sports cars. After several times changing
lanes as well as avoiding other cars at high speed, 200 km/h, I did not
really feel confident because of three-lane highway, not 7-8 lanes in
the United States. But that was enough. Sometimes, I feel like be in
shooting of the film "Fast and Furious"…
Saying goodbye Cologne and Toyota 86. I back to normal rhythm in
Hanoi. Struggling to drive to the office in the crowded traffic on the
road in the early morning, and remember the 86 with the strong feelings
and passion behind the wheel. That is life! and if the other opportunity
becomes, I am ready to go with you, Toyota 86…
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