| From ToyotaOwnersClub.com Club Featured Motors
When the designers at Toyota were sketching the Picnic the key words buzzing around their heads would have been ‘sensible’, ‘family’ and ‘practical’. Little did they know that two of their Western employees would tear-up the schematics and turn their MPV into a beast from the East… There must be something in the water at Toyota GB’s HQ in Surrey, either that or being surrounded by some of Japans finest automotive exports day-in, day-out can seriously effect your brainwaves. Scott, Toyota’s PR guru met Duncan from the technical department at the water cooler one afternoon, joining forces the pair decided to not just brush the unlikely Picnic MPV with the modifying stick but to well and truly beat it. The crazy project came to life when Duncan sourced a two-litre turbo power plant from an old Celica GT4, a car he used to rally as a privateer entrant in association with Jonny Milner Motorsport.The concept for the ‘Picnic Sport’ was born.
Modifications didn’t end there, TTE supplied a set of lowering springs and the standard 14’ rims were binned in favour of some 17’s donated by a V6 Camry Sport. Front and rear TTE spoilers were also added with wheel arch extensions, both being colour coded in the spray booth.
Inside the services of leather specialists Connolly, who had previously trimmed-up the Rav4 VX and Camry Sport., were enlisted. Re-covering the seats in deep red leather the firm also embossed ‘Sport’ logo’s into all six headrests. Completing the interior transformation a top of the range Satellite Navigation system was installed into a second customised facia panel.
With the ‘Picnic Sport’ finished and the boost cranked-up a notch the rolling road beckoned, confirming a healthy 190bhp figure from the Celica lump, up 126bhp on the factory specification. Upping the boost pressure may have dulled the refinement slightly but the Picnic’s package still provides handling and speed aplenty. The ‘Picnic Sport’ is proof that a family MPV doesn’t have to be slow and boring, some well selected modifications have tweaked this Toyota into a sports car with six seats, now all the kids will want picking up from school in ‘Sport’ style… Spec: Toyota PR’s ‘Picnic Sport’ -2.0 Turbo Celica GT4 engine -Custom made exhaust downpipe -TTE Lowering springs -17’s Camry V6 Sport with 215/45 wheels -TTE body kit consisting of front and rear spoilers -TTE wheel arch extensions -Colour-coded all round -Full leather re-trim in red by Connolly -Exclusive exterior badges -Full Toyota Satellite Navigation system in custom facia Bodykit available through TTE Germany, approx £600 exc. VAT, fitting & painting. Connolly can perform a similar re-trim in any colour for around £1500. © Copyright 2004 by Toyota Owners Club Some articles are copyright of their respective author(s) Like to display our headlines on your website? Click here |
