We've been hearing for a while that Toyota and Subaru have been working on a new rear-wheel-drive coupe together. Well here is our first look at the concept that is going to be unveiled this month in Tokyo.
The concept is inspired by the Corolla-based AE86 sports coupe of the 1980's and was designed in France. It is powered by a 2.0L boxer engine from Subaru that sends the power to the rear wheels.
The production version is expected to be unveiled sometime next year with sales starting at the end of 2011. The expected starting price is around $20,000.
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Upcoming Toyota/ Subaru Coupe Loses 40 HP
PRESS RELEASE:
1. FT-86 Concept (world premiere)
The FT-86 ("86" pronounced "hachi roku"), a compact rear-wheel-drive sports car, provides driving joy and excitement.
* Compact design gives driver greater control, while body's lightness and low center of gravity allow racecar-like handling
* Both power and environmental performance provided by 2-liter boxer engine and light body
* Flash Red body color contains hint of blue; interior expresses modern feel with minimal coverage of the highly refined structural components evoking enthusiasm for cruising
Vehicle Length Width Height Wheelbase Seating
FT-86 Concept 4,160 mm 1,760 mm 1,260 mm 2,570 mm 4
Comments (25)
This thing will probably sell well, but it won't be badged as a subaru. I'd like to see it as a subaru with a 10/90 split in power. But that's just me
Posted by Andy | October 6, 2009 9:13 AM
Posted on October 6, 2009 09:13
.............I'm in shock. Something stylish from Toyota?! When did they hire designers with talent?
Posted by Totenglocke | October 6, 2009 9:36 AM
Posted on October 6, 2009 09:36
Meh ~ it's a mitsu-mazda blended looking thing. But it looks a lot better than the fugly Solara. The front angle shot looks much better than the side or rear shot. I highly doubt the interior will look anything like this concept, it's a little too gimmicky.
Posted by ok | October 6, 2009 10:03 AM
Posted on October 6, 2009 10:03
Beautiful on the outside. Inside is kind of disorienting. A lot of the ergonomics seem to me to be form over function. (But that's not uncommon in a concept cars interior.)
Posted by kw | October 6, 2009 10:04 AM
Posted on October 6, 2009 10:04
@Totenglocke
toyota didnt do anything different, they just had the help of Subaru lol.
I thought they were going to have a Subaru version of this, but this look like the drawing of the Subaru, whereas the drawing of the toyota didnt look nearly as nice. it is a good looking car though i have to say.
Posted by Phil | October 6, 2009 11:52 AM
Posted on October 6, 2009 11:52
The leather-covered radio controls are odd but overall it has a lot of potential. I am all for anything "evoking enthusiasm for cruising"
Posted by azmtbkr81 | October 6, 2009 11:55 AM
Posted on October 6, 2009 11:55
Did they already scratch the paintjob or does it just look that way on that picture where you look into the car on the passenger side? :o
ontopic: front looks great, side and rear are less attractive. Interior will never look this way (unfortunately)
Posted by KoenigseggCCX | October 6, 2009 12:21 PM
Posted on October 6, 2009 12:21
Now, this is a nice car. First thing I might say I really like from a Japanese company. Especially, the interior! Some really radical and fresh ideas; shows non-ordinary approach. These things even woke me up today... wow.
Posted by DuDe | October 6, 2009 12:57 PM
Posted on October 6, 2009 12:57
get rid of the zippers and red stitching
is that a race track on the display?
rwd, thumbs up
Posted by gh | October 6, 2009 1:49 PM
Posted on October 6, 2009 13:49
I wonder how "concept" this thing is. I know the interior will change. The outside kind of took me by surprise...
Posted by Brian | October 6, 2009 2:12 PM
Posted on October 6, 2009 14:12
I think I should have stated my initial reaction:
"What the hell is this shit?! Did Subaru get a Mazda designer on loan or something...at least it looks better than all those Alfa inspired designs."
Posted by Brian | October 6, 2009 6:31 PM
Posted on October 6, 2009 18:31
Looks pretty good but they need at least 225+ hp to compete with anything else on the market. If it's the 180hp engine they're talking about then it'll end up being a chick car mostly.
Posted by Gary | October 6, 2009 6:32 PM
Posted on October 6, 2009 18:32
At first glance I'd say this doesn't look like a $20K car. More like a competitor to an RX8 or a Z. If the production model looks similiar to this, no way will it sell for less than the 26 to 28 range.
Posted by Tim | October 6, 2009 6:53 PM
Posted on October 6, 2009 18:53
everyone is all excited about this, but they forgot that Toyota changed their age target from 20-30 to 40-50 and peak power from 200+ to around 160hp... Toyota= gay
hopefully the Subaru version will have 300 hp and 10/90 split AWD! *drools*
Posted by Luis R | October 6, 2009 7:13 PM
Posted on October 6, 2009 19:13
I hope the chintzy video game interior stays on the show floor. The exterior is a bit overdone too, but it's still better balanced than most of the cartoons coming from Japan these days.
Mostly I'm glad to see a right sized sporty car. It does not look like it will be a over sized/overweight mess like so much coming out these days. Of course, that might exclude it from the US market if you can't pack enough burgers and sodas behind the wheel.
I'm ready to drop some coin on a well built, sporty but efficient car that can also fit in my urban driveway. I though Honda/Acura would be the one to build it, but they are building trucks and cheap techno geek interiors these days :-(
If only the Miata had a little more cargo room....
Posted by an_individual | October 6, 2009 7:13 PM
Posted on October 6, 2009 19:13
The car is a great concept for the both company's to of had thought of and made WOW. Toyota style, no its stylish Subaru with just a Toyota badge thats all. Id have to agree the Subaru one does look better with the drawing however even though it is only a 2.0 litre box engine it will probably be able to pump out alot of power, due to the fact that they have cut down on the wieght of the car. I own one of the first versions of the Subaru Impreza and i might have to say the cars themselves have come along way from what they were and id like to say i will if its a 2.0L or 2.5L im gonna buy this car either way it looks sweet. There stylish economical but sporty LOVE the combination and thats why its gonna be a big seller.
Posted by brendan | October 6, 2009 9:33 PM
Posted on October 6, 2009 21:33
I like the looks of this a lot.... futuristic and somewhat refreshing without being an eyesore. The interior is different but I kind dig the whole "cockpit" look of the steering wheel and gauges.
They need to offer a higher priced turbo version with upgrades breaks, suspension and the like... something 250HP plus would be nice.
Anyone know what the curb weight is supposed to be at? Doesn't seem terribly heavy...
Posted by Pockets | October 6, 2009 10:56 PM
Posted on October 6, 2009 22:56
@an_individual
Just get a Genesis Coupe.
Posted by Crooked H | October 7, 2009 12:06 AM
Posted on October 7, 2009 00:06
Come up with a new interior design and please add the wrx or imprezza gt engine and we'll talk.
Posted by patman08 | October 7, 2009 6:06 AM
Posted on October 7, 2009 06:06
Yes, this thing needs at least an option for something around 225hp, if it gets stuck in the 180's (or didn't they mention dropping it to even the 140's at some point?) they'll lose some of the low 20-something crowd that it's going after. The price point is getting a tad high for a somewhat unispiring coupe as it's currently spec'd. Still, show's lots of promise, I'd like them to succeed in offering a good budget rwd coupe (no, the genesis coupe doesn't count as it's interior is very sub-par).
Posted by thetruth | October 7, 2009 6:31 AM
Posted on October 7, 2009 06:31
Looks like this is really targeted at Genesis 2.0T. Looks really good on the exterior. The wheels are very rich! But if the power is sub 200hps then all hope is lost. My old TIburon could do better than that...fail.
Posted by Blue Z34 | October 7, 2009 8:30 AM
Posted on October 7, 2009 08:30
Wow, 22.5 degrees on the A/C! That is freaking cold! You could make a snowman in that thing!!!!!
Posted by Chad | October 7, 2009 12:53 PM
Posted on October 7, 2009 12:53
Did someone at Toyota stumble across some archives that showed the company actually dabbling in the sports car market way back in the day?
Never understood the obsession Toyota had with unremarkable-looking car designs. I really hope they get themselves back into the market for "fun" cars.
Channel the Supra!!
Posted by Kempai Tai | October 7, 2009 4:31 PM
Posted on October 7, 2009 16:31
I am digging these new white/color 2 toned interiors,very cool.
Posted by Patrick | October 7, 2009 6:03 PM
Posted on October 7, 2009 18:03
where are the pop-up headlights?
Posted by taiso | October 11, 2009 3:59 PM
Posted on October 11, 2009 15:59