So, Garlick and I went on a bit of a charm offensive today, setting out the PH stall at a number of car manufacturers and generally fluttering eyelashes at anyone with a press fleet. And yes, that's as scary an image as you can imagine. Almost as scary as the critical mass of Mercedes geekery that ensues when gathering myself, Garlick and walking Benz encyclopaedia/PR man Rob Halloway in one room. Salvation/distraction came in the shape of the rather excellent canteen at the Mercedes HQ.
An HQ, like many others, situated in Milton Keynes. Not a place one would normally associate with thrills, it has to be said. And if the town has a vehicular equivalent in this respect you'd have to say Toyota would be it.
Indeed, a day circulating Milton Keynes in a Toyota doesn't sound like a recipe for fun. And normally it wouldn't be. Unless that Toyota is an AE86 Corolla, it would appear. Discretion is probably the better part of valour here but anyone who knows Milton Keynes and the key attributes of said Toyota can probably put two and two together here and figure out why the grin has yet to leave my face.
Going by John Simister's quick run in the GT 86 it sounds like the spirit of the AE86 has been successfully revived. After all the teaser info, rubbish press photos and showfloor tyre kicking it's a relief to finally hear what it's like from behind the wheel too. Can't wait to have a go myself. And I think I know where I'll be taking it.