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Hi-po Toyota GT86 to get KERS?

We happen to like the Toyota GT86 - and, it of course goes without saying that the same applies to the Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S, as well - just the way it is. Yes, that includes the standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine and its 200 horsepower at 7,000 rpm.
That said, a little extra power never hurt anybody, right?
The most obvious way to add some punch to the GT86 would be with a turbocharger, and that has indeed long been rumored for an STI version of the BRZ. Will Toyota follow suit? According to Top Gear, the answer is no. Says GT86 chief engineer Tetsuya Tada, "I think 300bhp with a turbo and 200g/km of CO2 would be tasteless in this day and age. And a turbo would mean the loss of the GT86's uniqueness." Perhaps a bit harsh, but there you go.

2017 Scion FR-S getting slight power bump?

A common refrain when discussing the Scion FR-S and its sibling the Subaru BRZ is that they are capable vehicles but are in need of more power. The latest rumors suggest that some more muscle might finally be on the way for the coupe's refresh. Don't expect something like the STI Performance Concept with a 300-horsepower, turbocharged flat-four, though – the gains in the real world are likely to be significantly more modest. According to Toyota insiders speaking with Motoring in Australia, the local Toyota GT86 (our FR-S) is due for a styling and powertrain refresh for the next model year. The 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine isn't expected to get a drastic power increase, but it's not being completely neglected. A new intake manifold and friction reductions reportedly allow for five percent more grunt. If accurate, and if the changes also come here, that would take output of the US version to 210 hp and 159 pound-feet of torque. The adjustments could improve fuel economy by seven percent, as well. Handling is already a forte for the FR-S and BRZ, and things could get even better with this refresh. Motoring claims that dampers from Sachs might become standard equipment, along with a reinforced subframe. The close relationship with the BRZ reportedly rules out any dramatic changes to the styling for this update. However, the coupe is still likely to wear a new hood with vents in it, reshaped headlights, and a revised fascia with a larger lower grille. At the rear, expect a rear diffuser and exhaust pipes at the corners. While minor compared to all of these rumored updates, Scion recently gave the FR-S a few tweaks in the US for the 2016 model year (pictured above). In addition to some new colors and interior trim, it now comes standard with a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system and rearview camera.

Toyota's Mirai fuel cell car gets its own special showroom

If the car's unique, the showroom better be as well. That's the approach Toyota is taking with the Mirai, its first production hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle. In fact, the model is getting its own special showroom starting this Friday. The Japanese automaker is opening the showroom in Tokyo. The facility takes up two floors totaling about 1,800 square feet and, from the pictures, it looks to have a very Zen-like quality. Toyota will be displaying one Mirai vehicle and will have another vehicle available for public test drives available every Friday. Toyota started selling the Mirai in Japan late last year and has announced plans to debut the car in the US – starting in California – this fall at a base price of $57,500, or a lease option of $499 a month for 36 months ($3,649 is due at signing). Earlier this year, Toyota said it was going to bump production to 2,000 vehicles next year (and 3,000 in 2017) from 700 units this year. With such a ramp-up in store, Toyota will spend about $170 million increasing production capacity of the fuel-cell vehicle. That total probably doesn't take into account the stylish new Tokyo showroom. Related Videos: New Toyota Mirai Showroom in Downtown Tokyo Offers a Glimpse of the Future Tokyo, Japan, April 13, 2015-On Friday, Toyota will open a showroom to highlight the groundbreaking Mirai fuel cell vehicle, which went on sale last December. Located within a hydrogen station operated by Iwatani Corporation in Tokyo's Minato Ward, the space will serve as a hub for sharing information on fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen, with the aim of promoting a hydrogen-based society. In addition to having one Mirai on display and another for test drives, the showroom will use videos and other media to raise awareness about the features of the vehicle, the benefits of hydrogen and more. Overview of the Toyota Mirai Showroom Location 4-6-15 Shiba-Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo Opening April 17, 2015 Floor area 1st floor84 m2; 2nd floor81 m2 Hours 9:00-17:00 Closed Tuesday (The Iwatani hydrogen station is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) Display vehicles 1 Test ride vehicles 1 (available to public on Fridays only) Website http://toyota.jp/mirai/showroom/ (Japanese only)