Toyota has revealed a surprise new vision for the GT86 sports car – a shooting brake concept.

Designed by the company's Australian division, the GT86's chief engineer reportedly liked the quarter-scale clay model so much that he assigned craftsmen to hand-build the full-size concept.

A higher roof line right to the hatchback-style tailgate gives more interior headroom for rear passengers, although legroom is the same as in the coupé.

The boot is more practical than on the standard car, lending the concept new attributes.

Brad Cramb, Toyota Australia's Divisional Manager National Marketing, said: 'The Toyota GT86 lends itself perfectly to a concept that expands its appeal with added versatility, while retaining its sleek and sporty coupé styling and sharp, responsive driving character.

'Equally suited to weekends away as well as the track, it's a car you could buy with your head and your heart.'

Chief engineer Tetsuya Tada said 'I was totally surprised and liked it so much that I arranged for my expert takumi craftsmen to hand-build the Shooting Brake concept, based on the Australian design.

'It is a fully functioning, driveable vehicle that has been put through its paces on Toyota test tracks.'

There are no plans to put it into production but the company says that it's monitoring media and public reaction.

He added 'While we never say never, and I would love this concept to become a production reality, it is very much a concept that demonstrates the passion within Toyota for cars that are fun to drive.'