Round 2

[Gunner]

Toyota's New Baby
The FT-86 II
Written by Rhys Cotterill

It's been many anxious years, for retro Toyota fans, well Toyota fans in general, as we have been eagerly awaiting news of their new love child. A child that has been birthed in colaboration with Subaru. With all the hype still fresh around internet forums, and the rumour mill, in full production, Toyota took it upon themselves, to release the second production prototype of the soon to be cult classic, the FT-86, now simply dubbed the Toyota 86, at the Geneva Motorshow last week.

With Toyota's PR crew stating that this second coming of the new sports coupe (tipped for release in Australia mid 2012, with an on the road pricetag somewhere between $30,000-$40,000) is far closer to a full production model. Albeit the more aggresive styling, and sharper lines, where the designers have obviously taken styling cues from the Lexus LF-A, and the new Subaru Impreza. The rear driven, boxer powered, corolla AE86 revival is sure to be a hit on Australian shores. when it is released. Although they have mentioned it being powered by the new, long-stroke FB series of boxer engines (Released on our shores last month) the sub 1200kg coupe is sure to have some poke.

As lucky as we are, living in gorgeous Australia, we have also been blessed with many many years, of performance development, for the the humble, yet cult classic Subaru WRX, with a fair few current world records being held by Australian workshops. So I am sure we can expect to see some very hot, and potent FT-86's running around our wide brown land, before the start of 2013. With Toyota Australia also whispering words of a possible motor sport program, things are sure to get interesting for Toyota, and Austrlian performance enthusiasts.

So it's true, Toyota have taken a big leap to the 80's, picked up an AE86, and jammed it in to the 21st century, with this exceptionally gorgeous coupe. Now to sit back, save your pennies and wait. I for one, am excited.

http://images-2.drive.com.au/2011/03/02/2210992/ft-86_600a-600x400.jpg
http://images-2.drive.com.au/2011/03/02/2210995/ft-86_600b-600x400.jpg
http://images-2.drive.com.au/2011/03/02/2210996/ft-86_600c-600x400.jpg
http://images-2.drive.com.au/2011/03/02/2210997/ft-86_600d-600x400.jpg
http://images-2.drive.com.au/2011/03/02/2210994/ft-86_600e-600x400.jpg


http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/30000-toyota-sports-car-for-2012-20110302-1be0b.html

[blinded]

LFA Front.

New model WRX Back.

I like it...but I think it looks a bit strange from the rear. I would definitely drive one though!

[McLEVIN]

its a pretty decent looking car, i wonder what sort of aftermarket support it will get

[s3phro]

I'm so buying one next year :D

[Gunner]

I think it will be a deffinate hit, even if it comes in at $40k

[Nicko]

I want to see it in Red

The black paint doesn't do it justice in photos I reckon.

You'll be able to see the lines cleaner in photos of a brighter coloured car.

@$30k I'm keen to trade the ute in :)

[McLEVIN]

look at that front grill its perfect for an intercooler

[Nicko]

look at that front grill its perfect for an intercooler

Funny you should say that, I was thinking the same thing.

Photochop anyone? :)

[Nicko]

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/03/toyota-ft-86-ii-concept-video-first-look-at-toyotas-bold-new-sports-car.html

The video shows the styling a LOT better than the pics!

[Nicko]

And yes, I would own one!

[Vance]

i think the front of the LFA is ugly as so i hate this front. the FT86 concept I i only liked how the rear looked. this has that changed too. ugly ugly car imho. hate that wing

[shinobi]

Who gives two shits what it looks like, New RWD toyota sports car whoo!!! I'll buy one for sure. But I doubt it will go into production with the boxer engine cos Subaru is also releasing a RWD boxer car based on the work they put into the FT. Subaru said they wanted it to be the only RWD boxer car on the market so I think Yota and Subie will go their seperate ways. Besides VVTi is toyotas little secret and they didn't want Subaru to bite it i guess. Toyota said they will be selling it for only 32k in Australia Max so they can appeal to a younger market therefore spawning an intrest with a new generation of sports car enthusists. It will be the cheapest thoroughbred sports RWD on the Australian market.

[motorculture]

cant wait . i'll be getting one.

[xmoht]

Who gives two shits what it looks like, New RWD toyota sports car whoo!!! I'll buy one for sure. But I doubt it will go into production with the boxter engine cos Subaru is also releasing a RWD boxter car based on the work they put into the FT. Subaru said they wanted it to be the only RWD boxter car on the market so I think Yota and Subie will go their seperate ways.

FYI it's boxer. As in the pistons move horizontally like a boxers arms.

[Gunner]

Shinobi, where have you sourced your info from?

I call bullshit.

[McLEVIN]

i'd rather a higher pricetag and see toyota develope another twin cam for it

[ke_70]

they should get an engine that'll rival hondas k28 i think is called? one step up from the beams

after all isnt it the 4age that made the ae86 famous?

[Nicko]

The 4AGE made the AE86 Famous? Don't think so...

It got cult status because it is a cool looking RWD car that handled well... The fact that it had a 4AGE might have been a contributor to its status, but the 4AGE just completed the "package".

Plenty of Toyotas got twincam engines and were never famous.

I reckon as long as this thing handles well, the haters will go on hating, and the people who want a decent new car will buy one

[ecko]

if its 32k im getting one highly doubt it tho

[timbo]

the deal would be sweetened by a toyota motor. just take something out of a lexus...

[Nicko]

A lexus engine will be too heavy for a light sports car. It would kill the handling

Please try again...

[Gunner]

Unless the console is shoulder height, this engine is deep in the bay. The tail shaft will run inline with the crank, this should give some people an idea about what they have achieved in terms of engine placement, and just how low it will be. I would hazard a guess and say that the engine highest point will be inline with the top of the front wheel. Its below it in my car so, it is entirely possible.

[timbo]

sorry, i didn't realise this was going to be as light as an ae86? did i miss some specs?

[Gunner]

weight doesn't mean shit, weight distribution, and a good low centre of gravity do. You can have the lightest car in the world, doesn't mean it will like going around corners. This thing is supposedly under 1200kg, so it still light by todays standards.

[timbo]

i think you missed my point. this car is not going to be "light", 1200 is light compared to a 1800kg falcon or commodore but ii highly doubt that it will weigh less than 1200kg, a new corolla weighs more than 1200kg! yes a boxer will have a low centre of gravity but this is still a concept and i would still be surprised to see toyota use a subaru engine rather than using something they have or developing their own. only time will tell.

[Nicko]

Haven't been reading much about the FT86 then have you?

[Gunner]

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1271&d=1298899483
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1277&d=1298899483
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1272&d=1298899483

Thats how low the engine sits.

[timbo]

well if the architecture is as close to one another (which it looks to be from those pics) then to me there looks like there is alot of headroom for a regular toyota motor.

[Gunner]

Its scheduled for release here in mid 2012, so knock a couple months of that for the US and japan, then another couple months for publicity, its not that far away, and I don't think toyota would change an entire drivetrain, and electrical system a year out from when they want it in showrooms. It would be stupid.

[Vance]

yeah plenty of headroom for a regular 2011 toyota motor. lets just chuck a 1zzfe in there and feel the performance....

a boxer would give 10000000000000000000000x times more balance than a inline motor with it sitting so low.


lower centre of gravity = handle like a go cart

[timbo]

yeah, im not denying that! the volume of sales should something of interest too, considering toyota haven't had a sports car for sale for quite a few years.

[Dom86]

Not a fan of the rear spoiler, a little too s13 ugly. other than that I'm a fan.

The engine ridiculously low....

[ae71]

yeah that really is low + for that.

what does a boxer (ej 20 for example) weigh compared to say a SR?

while a low centre of gravity is good, forward/rear balance is the most important part.

its a shame they sound so poo, the placement looks mint in that skeleton legacy (?)

[Gunner]

The liberty was the base for this car, but the previous model, not the current.

but it is 130kg for the na ej. i'd hazard a guess at 145kg range for the turbo models.

Wouldn't have a clue about the FB, trying really hard to get one, but they aren't cheap.

[Frak]

I REALLY like this, I think I may be owning one!

[Gunner]

FT86 - Uncle Frak Approved :thumbup:

[PT86]

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1531&d=1302628822 (http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1132)

heres the ft86 in red.

[mack 10]

What size brakes does the thing have?? Please tell me your going to be able to slot 15"s over them!!!

[Frak]

Gunner, I really like concept II, hopefully most of what we have been seeing will make it into production, I hope the design/marketing/engineering/etc teams don't lose sight of what they set out the achieve, an affordable rwd 2 door sports coupe and not some flaccid limp excuse. I also hope they actually badge it FT-86, that would be cool. In the next 18months-2 years I will be needing a new daily, I am in a financial situation now where I can afford a new car(house paid off etc)I had already started looking and was having quite a dilema as to what to get, on seeing concept II, I have made up my mind.

[ibbie]

But will it drift?

[mack 10]

Hows about the brakes!! 2013 Australian rally championship contending car!! 15 inch wheels or what!?

[Andy San]

just put t-18 brakes on it

bennnnnnnnnnnnn

[sidewayz_simon]

I'm buying one, pulling the 2J out of the aristo, putting it in the FT, and putting that dirty subie engine on a pushbike where it belongs.

Ew.

[mack 10]

I'm buying one, pulling the 2J out of the aristo, putting it in the FT, and putting that dirty subie engine on a pushbike where it belongs.

Ew.

Congratulations this is by far the most retarded comment i have ever heard on this forum.

[takai]

Congratulations this is by far the most retarded comment i have ever heard on this forum.

http://files.digitizor.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/tumbsup.png

[sidewayz_simon]

Ok, the pushbike comment was out of line. But a 2J conversion would be interesting.

[Nicko]

Congratulations this is by far the most retarded comment i have ever heard on this forum.

+2

What a tosser...

All the "boxer hate" comes from those who have never owned one for a decent amount of time...

[Todd]

just my 2c, the concept 2 is fucking hawt!!

to all the people asking about mods, realistically, any modification on one of these will void the new car warranty on your new +30,000k car.
do as you wish lol.

[Nicko]

Agreed, its usually about 5 years before the aftermarket places start producing parts.

Just look at the 370Z / RX8

[Vance]

ill be buying one new and having a shitbox like i have now to mod. after 5 years and the warranty is up and its had 5 years of decent parts manufacturers making parts for race use ill mod it then

all id wanna do is suspension + rims anyway if we get the 4age version and not the 4ac version if you know what i mean.

[randomskate]

I couldn't help myself, fuck this thing looks mean ;) which one do you like best?
http://ae86.nathanmors.com/var/albums/Random-Pics/ft-86-intercooler-chop2.jpg


leaving the front lip in place, not sure which one i like the most..
http://ae86.nathanmors.com/var/albums/Random-Pics/ft-86-intercooler-chop.jpg

[Nicko]

Looks a lot more tasty with the lip still in the chop.

P.s. try using a photo of a real intercooler or turn that one upside down ;)

[blinded]

Bottom one looks good!

However 'IF' I owned one (and they had a front mount) I would paint it black for sure.

[sleeperketo70]

I think im in love!