TOKYO — For years, Toyota has yearned to build a fun new lightweight rear-wheel-drive sports coupe in the mold of the cult Corolla Sport from the '80s. Now, at last, it's on the way with this fascinating FT-86 concept, which will bow at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show later this month.




The FT-86, of course, is the sportster that the world has half-jokingly referred to as the "Toyobaru." It was developed with Subaru and has a 2.0-liter normally aspirated Subaru flat-4 engine and a six-speed manual transmission.

Back in 2008, Toyota and Subaru announced this startling rear-wheel-drive coupe program was approved. There would be two versions, one for Toyota and one for Subaru. Subaru will build both cars in Japan and supply what will be the next-generation version of its unique and admired boxer engine. Toyota has spoken of late 2011 for a first on-sale date, at least for its version of the coupe.

While Toyota is loath to say, the expectation in Tokyo is that the "Toyobaru" will be based off a shortened Impreza platform converted to rear-wheel drive. The suspension will be front strut with rear double wishbones. The showcar's gray-themed cabin has a racy driver console and air vents.

With the demise of the MR-2, Celica and Supra, one aim is for the FT-86 to put some fun and funk back into Toyota's road-car range. Even so, some see the use of Subaru's 1,994cc engine as a strange choice, since it's not especially sporty in non-turbo trim.

But Toyota engineers really appreciate its low center of gravity, and that's the key here. One insider who has driven the car says it handles brilliantly. The stock engine also keeps the price down, with $25,000 or under the target here.

At this stage, the FT-86 is a running prototype, with sharp 2+2 styling and a 164-inch overall length. Width is 63 inches, and height is a low 50 inches.

Inside Line says: This is just a first outing for the FT-86, and much could change by the time it hits dealerships two years from now. — Peter Nunn, Correspondent

credits to Edmunds
original link here


Some more...

I wonder if it would be possible to mate up the ej257 swap with that RWD tranny. If so... it'll be a beast.

So is this a Celica successor?
The reason I think its a Celica successor, because I read it somewhere that Toyota/Subaru are joining together for the Celica,

Supra successor?
The reason I think its a Supra successor, because the FT-HS is supposedly the Supra successor, and this FT-86 looks exactly like it,


or just pure AE86, aka Truno/Levin sucessor..aka a reinvented coupe Corolla?

Either way, I think I'll be looking forward to this car!

Looks pretty hot. Looks like it's a new 86!

I agree it looks similar to the Supra concept, but I think it is probably because of the same designers. I highly doubt it is the Supra successor due to the engine displacement and price point. It is closer to the Celica market, but it would appeal more to males like the Evo and WRX even though it would be RWD.

I read a while back that Subaru/Toyota are using the Integra Type-R as the bench-mark for this car. So it's probably going to be more track orientated than drag.

the front/side angle reminds me of the Lexus LF-A. hopefully the production car will look close to that.

FT-86 lol nice name choice.

Finally some details that make the concept seem closer to reality.
I'm glad they're going with a boxer instead of a rumored alternative energy powertrain.
I wonder about specs/price point of the rumored turbo model.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oOXdKcdpZ8

25k? Thats it? That thing looks gorgeous.

Is this the Genesis killer?

looks nice, but don't expect the interior to be anything like the concept car.




they got the engine sound all wrong lol

^ Can't hear it since I'm at work, but it looks great from the video. Lets hope it looks 1/2 that good in real life when it goes into production. I can't help but think it looks like a Z from the front... the FT looks like what the Z should have looked. I think this will give the Gen Coupe a run for its money.

Looks sweet, perfect timing for the vehicle to come out if i cannot get a mr-s by the end of 2010

LOOKS AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!

LOVE THE IDEA.

nah, i really doubt it unless they come out with Turbo model.
FHI NA engine doesn't have much potential, which is why the article made comment about the engine choice on this vehicle.
EJ22E = 142 hp, EJ251/D = 165 hp. Those NA FHI engines don't have much hp and has bigger displacement. I'm looking forward to see if FT86 will continue the use of Subaru EJ motor, if so will it exceed 200 hp for NA flat 4.

I would totally invest in this car! ...If it's going to be available in the U.S. *Crosses fingers

I may regret doing this in the future. But I'm willing to sell my swapped Impreza just to get one of these bad boys.

I was planning on keeping the IS for the long haul but if this comes out... I'm gonna be soooo tempted.

I think the launch model year won't get an LSD or some other little goody. IS-F didn't get LSD til its 2nd year. MkIII Supra didn't get turbo til it's 2nd year. It's all part of Toyota's kaizen philosophy.

Like you guys I'm figuring how this will work into my budget lol but I might save my cash til at least the 2nd model year.

Tapered rear like the GT-R. I'm glad it doesn't have a factory turbo, this car is going to have a huge aftermarket scene.

I'm not too fond with the grill...

Overall, I like it.

Is it an open, semi or closed deck block? If it's open deck the turbo boys would be quite disappointed to find out it'll require a lot of money and engine reinforcing to get a good amount of boost into it.

Usually wrx are open deck. Nothing really wrong with it if you're not trying to make 500+ whp.

nothing is been confirm on the motor just yet. I too wonder if they're going to use FHI "EJ" motor on this vehicle, but if they are using "EJ" then most likely it'll be open block. If you look at EJ motor, it's pretty rare If you find a closed deck subaru block. I know only EJ22T, older EJ20G (RA type) and 22B engine (EJ22G) that are closed deck out of all Subaru motor on top of my head.

Closed deck has it's own bandwagon but i wouldn't build one for myself. I couldn't justify running that much boost to need one. the newer semi closed deck could handle high boost and big number if built properly.


true, EJ205 are all open deck (02-05 wrx)
EJ255/7 and also JDM EJ207 are semi closed deck.

I completely agree.

Wow i like this car, for its price, i think its really worth it. Is it gonna be sold under Toyota, i think I heard somewhere in canada, its gonna be "subaru"? dont kno bout that crap tho but its a nice car

wow what a nice car lol i wonder if it did come out how much this car would cost

I think in America it will be sold as Subaru.

What? Why?

Why the hell not?

Article estimated $25,000.



and as Toyota.

Both, all at the same time. Toyota and Subaru.

Toyobaru!!!! sounds like some kinda funky Japanese dish.

Give the consumer a choice of badging! Subie fans can buy it as a Subaru (even though it might not be one 100%), and who knows, Toyota might revive the Corolla GT-S name, or the Levin/Trueno names.

correct me if i'm wrong, but i think i read in one article that subaru will be coming out with their own body styling? so there will be 2 different models?

I'm suprised the Gran Turismo Concept Video hasn't been posted yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QZacNDd6vI

omg, FT-86 is soooooo sexy -.-

The cars hawtt, can't wait for it to hit the markets.

Andrew did... on the first page of the thread, but the video has since been removed.

I don't think Toyota would name it anything with Corolla in it. GT-S or not. They tried creating a sporty Corolla with the XR-S already and that didn't turn out to be very popular and it wont work in the US. Corollas are econoboxes now, and that is where they are making their big bucks. My money is on them creating a whole new car with a new identity.

Toyobaru/Subiyota lapping the ring

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/toyota-...type-spy-shots/

doesn't look that similar to the concept car

Bad news, the concept car design (the red car in the first post) isn't going to make it as the actual production car. One more week till the unveiling, but from the spy shots, it doesn't look anything like the concept car.

http://www.motortrend.com/future/spied_veh...ring/index.html

Too lazy to post the info, but in the link above, Motortrend says Subaru will have an STI version of the FT-86 in the future, in non-turbo form, that will bump the hp up to 240-250 using a NA 2.5 boxer engine.

The FT-86 will sit on a heavily modified Legacy platform to accommodate rear wheel drive.

That's a mule.

Dam I don't know if I should save my money for this car or should I spend my money or an 08 tsx next summer.

Tempting for this car at such a nice price.

I guess I should just save it up until its out.

it doesn't hurt to save.

Interesting,
It's still EJ motor but with toyota' head.
200 hp for 2.0 isn't bad, too bad they didn't release the curb weight for the car ( i want to know if it's less than 2800lbs)

Also, having STI version w/o turbo sucks. oh well, there's always first time for everything

oh i read about this when i was in jail but not that sporty as this!! well looks nice anyway!!

Some disappointing news:

The FT-86 will most likely go into production as the next gen Celica model. Plus expect the car to have around 160-180 hp and not around 200 as originally planned for its release. A turbo could be added in the future. No word on how heavy the car is, but Toyota claims it's light. My guess is somewhere in the neighborhood of 2500-2700 lbs.

For the full article:

Motortrend
http://www.motortrend.com/auto_news/112_09...name/index.html

wouldn't it be kinda impossible to make a sports car less than 2800lb with all the safety reasons?

It's definitely possible, true sports car needs to maintain it's weight.
you'll be surprise how many cars out there weight ~2800lbs or less.

Elise/Exige, FC,FD,E30, Mini Cooper, Miatas, S2000, Old school civics/Integras (EG,EK,DA,DC), S2000, MR2s, and many more.

=/ thats unfair cuz i'm a evo fan(sti too).. and they made the evo a lot heavier due to safety reasons
thats why they compensated the engine with aluminum engine to help it a little lighter.

err

As the years pass by, new cars has to have more safety stuff which will add more weight.

Evo X is a prime example.

hmm im guessing id have to import this from japan to korea when it comes out :'(
or i hope they sell here..