Tuesday 1st November 2011

Toyota FT-86: New Images Revealed

Final production version of Toyota Coupe leaked onto web

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Toyota is leaking like a leaky thing over its new rear-drive coupe, the FT-86. This image, believed to be a copy of a promotional brochure for the new car is the second shot of the finished car after screengrabs of the much-awaited coupe leaked onto the internet last week (see image below).

The car (which almost certainly won't be called FT-86) will get its official unveiling at the Tokyo motor show later this month before going on sale in the UK by the middle of next year.

And, if recent first drives of prototypes (hurried to press following the leaked details of the new car) are anything to go by, the new Toyota sounds like it's going to be quite a hoot.

Its 2.0-litre, Subaru-developed, naturally aspirated flat-four makes 197bhp and around 150lb ft with the help of Toyota's own direct-injection tech. While these aren't hypersonic figures, the car weighs just 1280kg, so it should be quick enough. Besides, Toyota is keen to emphasise that this will be a car that doesn't need power to be fun.

With a six-speed manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive, an LSD and an ESP system that can be completely switched off, it sounds as if the early signs are more than promising... let's hope they deliver...

[ktm301p]

Is it wrong that I'm getting a tad bored with this car now . . .

[boldek1]

looks fun

[Andrew[MG]]

So it's a RWD FTO with some modern gizmos?

[Pesty]

Like it a lot.

[kambites]

Andrew[MG] said:

So it's a RWD FTO with some modern gizmos?

What well known Toyota FTO? What's it got to do with the FTO?

I still think that front air-dam looks awful. It looks like someone has fitted the front bumper from an awful "Max Power" type body kit then got bored before they could fit the rest of the kit.

[JameshGT]

That does look rather tasty..... i like it!

[Dagnut]

Andrew[MG] said:

So it's a RWD FTO with some modern gizmos?

Yeah completely modelled on the land mark FWD coupe from Mitsubishi

[Matt UK]

kambites said:

I still think that front air-dam looks awful. It looks like someone has fitted the front bumper from an awful "Max Power" type body kit then got bored before they could fit the rest of the kit.

Agreed. Less is more in this case. Hope Toyota UK see the light.

[uncle tez]

It looks too much like a need for speed car for my liking. Very max power and not for me. Im ooooout

[SteveHall30]

Come on, you can do a better simile than that.

"Leaking like a K-series Headgasket."

[Krikkit]

Personally I can't wait for this car - it sounds like exactly the sort of car others should be making, instead of concentrating on huge power outputs it should be that special fun-factor. After all, most of us use our cars on the road, and there's no way you can use all the power a modern sports car has safely out there.

[Andrew[MG]]

kambites said:

What well known Toyota FTO? What's it got to do with the FTO?

I still think that front air-dam looks awful. It looks like someone has fitted the front bumper from an awful "Max Power" type body kit then got bored before they could fit the rest of the kit.

I mean in terms of power to weight ratio, they haven't really moved the game on that much. I'm sure it will be much quicker round a track but the numbers don't look that impressive.

[forzaminardi]

It's been a long gestation period, but hopefully the wait is finally over now. the looks aren't perfect, its a tad heavier than promised and will probably sell for a ridiculous amount in the UK but in general, it looks to be a great car. Well done Toyota for doing something so apparently contrary to everything else you have done of late!

I'll wait for the first 'reliable' road tests and take a good look when it arrives in the UK, but I'm excited.

[Streps]

I think it's ugly

[georgetuk]

Looks nice, seems like this or ALfa 4C for me.

Nice to have choices!

[kambites]

Andrew[MG] said:

I mean in terms of power to weight ratio, they haven't really moved the game on that much. I'm sure it will be much quicker round a track but the numbers don't look that impressive.

Ah... you're a numbers person. I buy cars, not numbers.

[Ved]

How anyone can complain about the biggest car company in the world making a fun, RWD sports car the majority can afford is beyond me. Do you want them to continue being the most lifeless company on the planet or return to how they were in the 90s?

Very much looking forward to it and well done to Toyota and Subaru for doing it. Hopefully the Subaru one will stop them leaving the UK and help with their own sales.

[bga]

This is one of the very few cars that I am tempted to buy new. The only thing putting me off is that front splitter.

[kambites]

Well I'm glad it's not just me that thinks the front splitter is terrible. Maybe this'll be the first car that after-market body-kit manufacturers produce a toned down body-kit for, rather than a more aggressive one.

It needs a lower front bumper something like the original RX8's.

[Chris71]

Come on Toyota, build it.

They've done a cracking job with the IS-F (and, on a rather different level, the LFA) recently. I reckon this really could be worth the hype.