The 86 GT was also named Best
Performance Car under $60,000 and won the
People’s Choice vote.
In a first for a petrol-electric hybrid car,
Toyota’s Australian-built Camry Hybrid was
announced the Best Family Car.
Camry Hybrid and the 86 GT were among
just four “stand-out” cars considered in the
final judging for the main award.
Drive said the 86 GT has the “perfect
amount” of power to exploit its nimble rear-
drive chassis and is guaranteed to put a smile
on the face of anyone driving it.
“Judges loved the fact that it hit the brief of
being a really fun-to-drive car - and it’s also
impressively affordable,” Drive editor and
chief judge Toby Hagon said.
“It really is a fantastic little sports car - one
that can be fun on the right road, but also
make the drive home that little bit more
enticing. “At about $30,000, it is a bargain - a
worthy Car of the Year winner for 2012.”
Camry Hybrid was praised for its drivetrain
with its 2.5-litre petrol engine and electric
motor producing impressive acceleration and
real-world fuel economy.
Judges said Toyota has achieved “something
special” with the Camry Hybrid and, along
with its affordable price, it made a compelling
case for families.
“On balance, we believe it is the best family
car on the market right now,” the judges said.
Toyota Australia executive director sales
and marketing Matthew Callachor said the
awards for the 86 GT and Camry Hybrid were
a great tribute to the passionate people who
engineered and produced them.
“The 86 was designed for driving enthusiasts
to deliver maximum driving pleasure, lively
yet accessible performance and highly
engaging dynamic abilities - and all at an
affordable price,” Mr Callachor said.
“It builds on Toyota’s 50-year history of
creating exciting, driver-focused sports cars
that have proven popular with the public and
successful in competition,” he said.
Development of the compact four-seat sports
car stemmed from the vision of Toyota’s
global president Akio Toyoda to create a more
emotional connection between car and driver.
“Mr Toyoda is driving the company to
embrace the concept of ‘waku doki’ -
designing and engineering cars that really get
your heart pumping.”
Mr Callachor paid tribute to Toyota’s
development partner, Subaru, saying the
collaboration had brought together the
technical know-how and shared passion for
sports cars of two great companies.
Accepting the Best Family Car trophy for
the locally built Camry Hybrid, Mr Callachor
said the award was a boost to the local car
manufacturing sector, especially to more
than 4,000 Australians employed by Toyota in
Australia.
“This award reinforces Toyota’s pride in
developing hybrid technology globally and, in
particular, bringing hybrid manufacturing to
Australia.
“It really is a win-win for motorists: Camry
Hybrid is not only a great car to drive with
strong performance and on-road dynamics, it
also achieves impressive fuel economy and
excellent value for money,” he said.
Three other Toyota vehicles were finalists -
the Corolla for Best Small Car, the Prius c city
car for Green Innovation and the seven-seat
Prius v for Best People Mover.
Toyotawins Drive car of the year award
Toyota’s“unashamedly focused sports car”, the 86 GT, has been judged the Car of the
Year in Australia at the annual Drive awards.
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