Toyota's FT-86 concept

[altiain]

Toyota’s Hachi-Roku for the new millenium

Toyota's President Akio Toyoda has said the automaker is in desperate need of an excitement injection, and here's the first dose: the Toyota FT-86 Concept.

Inspired by the Corolla-based AE86 sports coupe of the '80s, the FT-86 concept was designed by the automaker's ED2 styling studio in France and bears a remarkable resemblance to the FT-HS concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show several years back.

Since it's a "concept," Toyota hasn't divulged much about the FT-86 yet, but we do know it's powered by a Subaru-derived 2.0-liter boxer four sending power to the rear wheels. Toyota focused on keeping the weight down to improve handling and, according to one source, the platform is unique to the concept. The engine sits lower in the engine bay to aid aerodynamics while keeping the center of gravity in check, and the overall dimensions of Toyota's new 2+2 are 163.78 inches long and 69.29 inches wide, with a wheelbase of 101.18 inches.

After the FT-86 bows in concept form at the Tokyo Motor Show next month, the production model will be shown sometime next year with sales beginning sometime in late 2011 carrying a sticker price somewhere north of $20,000

Hmm… not bad. The interior is obviously show car fluffery (unzipping the CD player slot?), but the exterior looks pretty production ready.

Keep the weight below 3000 pounds, offer a turbo variant with ~280 horsepower, a limited slip, and some decent brakes, price it around $30k and Toyota might just have a hit on their hands.

[jrj512]

Nice looking car.

[Miatamaniac92]

Like it and I'll admit to liking the AE86 as well.

If they keep the weight down I think even a low powered version would sell pretty well if priced ~$20K.

I'm torn on the decision to use a boxer. Never worked on them, how does basic maint. and upgrades compare to an inline four (though I guess alot of it depends on engine bay packaging)?

Chris

[SirHustlerEsq]

extreme want.

[Miatamaniac92]

In GranTurismo glory already:




GT really is breaking into car marketing.

Chris

[trickyrix]

GT really is breaking into car marketing.

Chris

IIRC, GT had something to do with Subaru bringing the WRX stateside.

[Nexus Flux]

I likey, I'll take it

[Miatamaniac92]

IIRC, GT had something to do with Subaru bringing the WRX stateside.

I think it's a reasonable to think GT contributed a small part in our ability to purchase the Evo, WRX, and Skyline.

Chris

[MadMerv]

Not enough pix. I'd like to see where, exactly, the engine lies and the weight distribution. It certainly is a slick looking body with that low nose. Could be seriously fun :)

[Miatamaniac92]

The video has a very small glimpse under the hood.

Chris

[wrx74]

http://jalopnik.com/tag/tokyo-motor-show/

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2009...OKYO/910069998

[altiain]

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2009...OKYO/910069998[/QUOTE]

“Sports cars have to be red, but we wanted a new red,” chief engineer Tetsuya Tada said. “So we came up with shoujyouhi red, the traditional red color of a Japanese monkey's” backside.

So it's "Monkey Ass Red"?

[gabkwong]

Keep the weight below 3000 pounds, offer a turbo variant with ~280 horsepower, a limited slip, and some decent brakes, price it around $30k and Toyota might just have a hit on their hands.

This is doable! Subie has all the hard wares on the shelf already. And adding a blower etc. yourself should not be that bad considering all those Subies that are on the road that can donate all the goodies.

[2004Busa]

Dare I say resemblance to 370z?

[CobaltFire]

I like it. Though I worry about power capability. They say "Subaru derived", which implies differences. Given it is Toyota, expect those differences to be cost driven, and for it to probably run ~180HP N/A (compared to the Subaru 2.5's 160HP N/A). They will be aiming it at the MX-5, so that will be the ballpark they will need it to be in.

We shall see though!

I'd prefer it if Mazda made the Coupe based on the MX-5/RX-8 Chassis that they have talked about.

[wrx74]

Linke

[wrx74]

Link

[creek]

I like it. The boxer can give it a very low CG and hood line if they leave the inter cooler off of the top of the engine. I even like the color. One please.

I would have said magenta.

[wrx74]

Link

[driftdevil]

Well they have screwed the pooch once again.