2012 Toyota FT-86
Unveiled at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show and most recently at the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon, the FT-86 is without a doubt one of the most spectacular looking coupe they have ever created. Co-developed with Subaru, hence the oft-used Toyobaru or even Subayota names, this sporty coupe draws heavily on Toyota's RWD heritage and Subaru's in-house super-tuner, Subaru Technica International, aka STI.
FT is short for “Future Toyota”. If this is an indication of where Toyota wants to go sooner than later then I'm all for it! Everybody knows that the #1 Japanese automaker is in desperate need of excitement. The FT-86 Concept is certainly a step in the right direction.
This new two-door sports coupe will be powered by a Subaru-derived 2.0L flat-four cylinder engine. Here it will generate 200 hp and power the rear wheels. A 6-speed manual transmission and ADVICS brakes will play an integral part in an era where, as Toyota puts it: “the driver plays the main role in order to experience the joy of driving”. For the Auto Salon, Toyota revised much of the car but the front end got much of the attention. More importantly, they added a turbocharger to the engine for more juice.
With the following dimensions (4,160mm long, 1,780mm wide, and 1,230mm high with a wheelbase of 2,570mm), the FT-86 will give its driver a compact and capable feeling. It will be easy for the pilot to handle this car in the city, on a track or at Touge, all the while being able to accommodate four occupants. In addition to being light and having a low centre of gravity and great aerodynamics, the car is damn hot. It should be a hit with the young and the young at heart.
As for pricing, nothing has yet been announced however it is expected that the car will carry an asking price of just over $24,000 US when it comes to market sometime in 2011.
As for pricing, nothing has yet been announced however it is expected that the car will carry an asking price of just over $24,000 US when it comes to market sometime in 2011.
