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Even After Geneva Showing, Toyota/Subaru FT-86 II Shrouded in Mystery

 
1 1,462 views Mar 5, 2011
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Toyota FT-86Amidst all the extravagance of the Geneva Auto Show last week, one car continued to tease the public with its promised combination of performance and affordability. We got a new look at the updated FT-86 II sports car, a joint project between Toyota and Subaru that eeks closer to production.

The front-engined, rear-drive sports coupe, showed at Geneva in black, sported an updated design that remains true to previous concepts while cranking up the attitude. It was an encouraging sign to prospective buyers, but plenty of questions remain unanswered.

Fans have been all aflutter with the car since the idea was first made public years ago, with the idea of a turbo Subaru engine in a mini-LFA package too tempting to resist. And the model is aimed at a market currently starving for new models, the affordable sports coupe. Its only real competitors would be the Mazda Miata, Hyundai Genesis coupe and Nissan 370Z.

Fingers crossed, pricing should start around $24,000 for a 2.0-liter boxer engine and up to $30,000 for a turbo STi engine. The former will be good for 200 horsepower while the latter could potentially top 300, all through a six-speed manual transmission. That sound you heard was hoons around the world spinning their wheels in anticipation.

The price would make the car a steal compared to the pricier Nissan, with the Hyundai seemingly its only true contemporary. Subaru displayed their engine and drivetrain layout with the 2.0-liter lower and closer to the middle of the car, indicating a lower center of gravity and better weight balance for navigating Mulholland Drive at speed.

But will the MSRP remain that low? Will there be a turbo option? Will the final production version resemble this striking concept, or will it be dumbed down in the end? Neither Toyota nor Subaru are addressing those issues at the moment, and its only fueling speculation that the FT-86 II may not turn out to be as promised.

It's not even clear what badge it will wear. The concept cars have all carried the Toyota namesake, but recent rumors indicate that it may be packaged as the automotive giant's stepchild, Scion. Maybe that's the only way to maintain the racy styling, but it could also force cut corners to keep costs down. It's also got traces of past Toyota models like the Celica and Supra. Or it could be a completely new model.

Anyone who tells you they know the truth also has a bridge to sell.

No one will know until the production model is unveiled, hopefully at the New York International Auto Show this April but likely a little later than that. Toyota and Subaru will need to step on the gas to meet their Spring 2012 production goal. Until then, potential tuners will stay glued to their screens.

What do you want to see, and what do you think will ultimately happen?



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Comment (1)

  1. By guy Posted: 4/6/2011 12:44pm PDT

    hoping beyond hope for awd from subaru, and turbo to ~300hp!!! thanks!
     
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