Aoshima 1/24 2012 Toyota 86/Scion FR-S Kit First Look

By Aaron Thomas, Front Range Auto Modelers (FRAM)

First Look

The Toyota 86 is a collaborative effort between Toyota and Subaru. The "86" is sold under three different brands associated with its creators, Toyota, Scion, and Subaru. The "86" refers to the Toyota AE86, a popular series of sports coupes known as the Toyota Sprinter and Toyota Corolla, manufactured from 1983 to 1987. The heritage can also be traced back to the Toyota 2000GT, Toyota's classic front engine, rear wheel drive sports car, and the Toyota Sports 800, Toyota's first sports car to use a "Boxer" engine. Coincidently, the bore and stroke of the engine is also 86mm. The engine is a 2.0 liter that uses Subaru's horizontally opposed boxer engine, as well as Toyota's injection system.

Let me start by saying that this is my first experience with an Aoshima kit, so when it was offered to  me for a review, I was excited. Upon opening the box, I was greeted by some of the nicest moldings that I have seen in a long time. What you will see is 12 sprues, molded in black, white, chrome, clear and red. There is also a package of really nice tires and some poly caps. You will also find a very complex instruction booklet.

Before assembly begins, you will need to decide on how you want to build your model. There are lots of options, including a lowered and cambered suspension, and left or right hand drive. Also, now would be the time to decide on your choice of color, as the body color is carried over into the interior. There are also options to build either the Toyota 86 or the Scion FR-S. It is interesting to note however, that there are no optional parts for the Subaru BR-Z, which is basically the same car.

Assembly begins with the front suspension, and quickly moves to the transmission, and the rear suspension. Upon some test fitting of several of these parts, I found no problems with fit anywhere. Next will be the interior, and there are a lot of pieces to it. There is also a lot of detail painting to be done here, so take your time and the effect will be impressive.

Decals are included for the gauges, steering wheel, and GPS screen. This brings me to the only real disappointment in the kit. While the body is molded beautifully, the hood is not molded as part of the body. This kit is curbside, (no engine), so why do I want to open the hood? Are there other versions of this kit on the way? We can only hope. This is too nice of a kit to not have an engine.

The body in this kit is a work of art, however it is extremely thin so use caution when doing any sanding. Once the body is completed, it will be time to install the windows, and attach the body to the chassis. Again, I did some test fitting in this area, and found no issues. Once the body is complete, it will be time to install the windows, and then attach the body to the chassis. After a few more trim pieces, your model will be finished. I can't wait to finish mine. I think I will do mine in Pearl White, or maybe Red, or maybe ….. Decisions, decisions!

Despite its shortcomings, this is a very well done kit., with lots of options and potential for other versions. Well done, Aoshima!!

My sincere thanks to DML for this review sample!