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
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saranghae1314 says:
04:17 PM, 10/26/2009
This car reminds me of the toyot supera I used to see, or was it MR2. I dont think toyota coupes are that great. Since Toyota is good in producing gas comsuming car, in that case, it doesnt have the power that a racer needs. If people would buy it just for the look, which is fine. I like the look of the car actually but If i am buying this car for the power, I dont think I can get what I am looking for.
yardman24 says:
08:23 PM, 10/25/2009
i cant believe im back on this blog. That car was good 4 its era. Even toyota's ceo is trying to make it a ricer fanboy car. Its going to flop......just wait for the suby version. I will agree with yall more with the turbo awd or rwd
AND you can never have too much POWWWWAAAAR
Join the club bros. its like cocaine whereas this car is like a shot of vodka
fryota says:
05:44 AM, 10/22/2009
yardman and the rest of the "moar powr" crowd:
The USDM 84-87 Corolla GT-S had 112 horsepower. Not 160, not 200. 112. And it was more fun than should strictly be legal.
The old two-door Impreza did just fine with 160ish horsepower.
Y'all missed the point!
yardman24 says:
10:34 AM, 10/14/2009
@ Ben. If the s2000 is modded then get it. otherwise get the 350z and get an exhaust......the aftermarket intake doesnt really do much but throttle response and sound
RonnieRogue says:
09:26 AM, 10/12/2009
Actually, the idea that this car could be a direct competitor to the MazdaSpeed 3 Is a great notion since thats already an awesome car! If these two become direct rivals like the evo/Sti rivalry, then we may have years of innovation to come! :D
RonnieRogue says:
09:23 AM, 10/12/2009
I love this car. It could give the Genesis a run for it's money; hell it would even be a better buy than a scion if it can pull off the power to weight just right. I'd buy it; Its damn sexy.
I hope it gets atleast 210-230 hp. I love to tune my cars but I rarely can afford anything short of an exhaust and some internal bits.
ben_mathis says:
06:54 AM, 10/10/2009
Help! I can't figure out if I want to be an S2000 or a 350z
weaksauce says:
08:46 PM, 10/08/2009
@Gr8fire.
Outstanding. I was at work as well, but was able to post the replies. I'm fortunate enough to have internet access and downtime between jobs.
I wouldn't call the RX8 underpowered. At 26-2800lbs, and approx 260HP, that's a great power to weight ratio. Rotaries MOSTLY lack torque. That's a different discussion.
As to the 2 seaters, I meant to imply low weight and relatively low power. The Elise, ( and I was thinking of the 2zz engine, NA ), The Miata, save for that Mazdaspeed model, and the MR-S, are mostly NOT turbo. There was ONE turbo Miata from the factory. Ever. You can order a supercharger for the Elise, but I'm talking Elise, not Exige.
As to the MR-S, that's the 2000-2005 model Toyota, 2200lbs-ish, 1.8 liter engine good for around 140HP. I didn't want people to think "MR2. That's the beast from the 90's that got the BEAMS engine.
The goal was to plant the thought of lightweight, moderate HP cars. The argument, too, is to maintain the low price. What you do with the car after it's off the lot isn't on the discussion. I'm sure there will be a turbo kit from HKS, Trust, Blitz, etc. We can count on Tein, Koni, etc...to make damper kits as well. These don't factor into Toyota's goal of $20k.
I wanted to talk about factory cars that have light weight and do not include forced induction from the factory.
I think it's sensible to assume Toyota won't sell a car with boost for $20k. That's the car I want.
gr8_fire says:
07:24 PM, 10/08/2009
"Weaksauce?" I've been at work earning a living. I get home, thank Jesus, check ESPN, surf the web and... BAM! You post this?
"Miata, MR-S, or Elise."
All of those autos are known for being Turbo-charged by any decent car enthusiast! I did NOT say Toyota was going to ship the car with a stock Turbo. I think I read the article and had my facts strait before I even got to this website. (Courtesy of AutoBlog) In fact I've been following this Toyo-baru story from the begining.
Why did you even get on the subject of curb weight. The cars that you bring up in your argument are 2-seaters, not 2+2 cooupes. Of course they have lower curbweight. And just because a vehicle is light doesn't mean it will be excellent in corners. If it is severely underpowered (i.e. Mazda RX8) the fun-to-drive factor will dissapate much faster.
Since I will be the one with my name on the contract for 60-months, I want something that can peel out!
OUT!ing. usrtesy
weaksauce says:
03:36 PM, 10/08/2009
Yardman, you already stated you'd have more fun, for the price, in a Mazdaspeed 3.
That is outstanding! They're available now. Two of my friends own them. You should go buy one. I would have NO ARGUMENT with you, no qualms, bickerings, if you bought a low priced, high powered hatchback.
I was raised on RWD. My dad, whether he intended to or not, taught me to drive with a very slippery S10 truck. I like RWD. The difference you and I have is largely turning into an internet fight. Whether you are wrong, or I'm right, whatever. It's still an uphill ice skating match.
We'd both be silly to continue. Lightweight is king in the corners. This is an "in the corners" car, not a "straight line" car.
Honda didn't change the power of the S2000 over it's 10 year life. They raised the torque curve, but didn't raise the HP. The power was plenty for the chassis. If you look at individual year changes,
And Best Motoring does a good job of showing suspension changes to increase the corner entry and exit speed,
You'll see there's speed to gain without raising engine output. This is LARGELY a, no pun intended, FOREIGN CONCEPT to Americans.