Oops…Toyota 86 Coupe Drifts Into a Metal Barrier in Japan

Drifting a lightweight, rear-wheel drive coupe like the Toyota 86, which is Japan's version of the North American Scion FR-S and the European Toyota GT 86, on a wet parking lot can be loads of fun just as long as you accept the increased risk of losing control.

Which is what happened to one of the drivers trying out the 86 at a parking lot in Odaiba, Japan, last Friday on March 9.

Fortunately for the driver, he didn’t hit the metal barrier hard thus reducing the damages to the car. If you want to see what happened, head past the break for the video.

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New Toyota FT-Bh Concept Breaks Cover in Geneva

Motor shows and Toyota hybrid concepts go hand in hand and at the 2012 Geneva Salon, the Japanese company lifted the covers off a new prototype model named the FT-Bh, an ultra-lightweight supermini that makes use of viable methods and materials for its construction.

The concept is close in size to today’s Yaris, at 3,985mm long, 1,695mm wide and 1,400mm tall, with a 2,570mm wheelbase, but it tips the scales at just 786kg (1,732 lbs).

And this despite the fact that its hybrid powertrain, which comprises a two-cylinder, 1.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with an electric motor, is heavier than the three-cylinder 1.0-litre unit (weighing about 60kg / 132 lbs) used in the Yaris.

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Toyota Refutes CNN Report that it Knew About Unintended Acceleration Problems Since 2006

The sudden acceleration-related problems that plagued Toyota's vehicles and which were blamed for several accidents, injuries and deaths, led to a huge recall campaign, a massive fine and even a Congress inquiry. And it is not over yet. Not only because of the pending lawsuits, but also due to a report from CNN on its Anderson Cooper 360 program that aired on Thursday.

The news network claims that it has uncovered a 2006 Toyota internal memo marked “confidential” that described the results of the adaptive cruise control software in the model bearing the internal code 250L that is the Lexus LS 460.

According to CNN’s translation of the original Japanese document, the report stated: "The cruise control activates by itself at full throttle when the accelerator pedal position sensor is abnormal." It also suggested that the carmaker would have to implement "a fail-safe overhaul" for another production model, the 180L, i.e. the Toyota Tundra.

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