Wednesday 6th March 2013

Geneva Motor Show 2013: Toyota

A flash of interest in a sea of blandness, the FT-86 Open concept previews the upcoming convertible GT86

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As you might expect, Toyota’s stand this year consists of a series of rather dull cars. We’ve got Avensises (Avensi?), Aurises (Auri?) and Priuses (er... Prii?) by the dozen. So far, so white-goods.

Concept tag means testing the water

Fortunately, there’s a selection of GT86s also here. Jolly good, but the most interesting thing on Toyota’s stand is lurking among them - the FT-86 Open, soon to be the upcoming convertible version of the GT86.

OK, so Toyota’s still officially calling it a concept, but with the probable exception of some of the interior trim finishes, you can put money on the real thing looking almost identical. Which is good, because it’s rather a pretty thing. It’s also rather unusual at this price point in being a 2+2, and Toyota’s stayed true to the GT86’s ‘less is more’ ethos by keeping the roof fabric. Under the skin, you’ll find the same 2.0-litre boxer engine that comes in the coupe, so you can expect similar performance to the hardtop – 0-62mph in around seven-and-a-half, then, and a top speed of 140mph or thereabouts. Assuming they haven’t shed any stiffness in the conversion from coupe to cabrio – and assuming the price isn’t as high as some outlets have been suggesting – the combination of GT86 thrills and top-down kicks could prove hard to resist.

[Whiters]

Rather have the coupe any day of the week, but that is a really neat looking conversion.

[JayUK91]

“But GT86 was designed from the start as a cabriolet… That probably tells you all you needed to know.”

That's a damn fine looking car, here's hoping it delivers.

[Captain Muppet]

So are there any pictures of it from the show, or just those two from the press release we've seen already?

This isn't really news is it? It's just this again.

ETA: Hi PH. Thanks for editing the photos. It makes me look like a dick now, but thanks anyway.

Edited by Captain Muppet on Wednesday 6th March 08:35

[theJT]

I'm not sure that design works as well with the lid chopped off. Strikes me as it was better looking as a coupe.

[Blown2CV]

kind of goes against the purist, drivers-car creds of the coupe; especially with that LA boulevard colour scheme. Maybe they're trying to chase down the MX5 market but it definitely looks a bit ponce-fest for that.

[Gorbyrev]

Dear Toyota san,
Please keep the concept interior.
Thanks.

[Nick644]

Gorbyrev said:

Dear Toyota san,
Please keep the concept interior.
Thanks.

Wild guess........ its going to be the same cheap plasticy interior as the coupe

[405dogvan]

THE BELLS _ THE BELLS _ THE BELLS

Jesus...

[soad]

Nick644 said:

Wild guess........ its going to be the same cheap plasticy interior as the coupe

I suspect you're right.

[toppstuff]

Gorbyrev said:

Dear Toyota san,
Please keep the concept interior.
Thanks.

Really??? The white interior in the picture looks like the inside of a kit car. Its orrible...

[Blown2CV]

toppstuff said:

Gorbyrev said:

Dear Toyota san,
Please keep the concept interior.
Thanks.

Really??? The white interior in the picture looks like the inside of a kit car. Its orrible...

i read it as "you can keep it, it's st" it is ambiguous though i suppose

[Richyboy]

The couple hasn't really been a success here and its the best road car you can buy today so I guess they have to go after the hairdressers.

[PearlWhiteGT86]

The coupe may of been a slow starter in sales in 2012.
But it will be intersting to see how it does in 2013 due to more people being made aware o f it.
The convertable looks very nice but I think the pricing is the key issue.
If it is to high it will not be an success

[anything fast]

Please change the back lights and the horrible wheels and you will have a really good looker!

[Gorbyrev]

Blown2CV said:

toppstuff said:

Gorbyrev said:

Dear Toyota san,
Please keep the concept interior.
Thanks.

Really??? The white interior in the picture looks like the inside of a kit car. Its orrible...

i read it as "you can keep it, it's st" it is ambiguous though i suppose

Ha ha - that's great. Just shows how the written text can be taken in ways not intended. I am a big fan of wacky/characterful (delete to preference) interiors. I think the Multipla's dash is inspired. I also like the use of body colour on the dash such as the Fiat Coupe in last week's SOTW

[kambites]

I think that works really well as a cabriolet.

[redroadster]

Nice looking 2 plus kids in back seat open top , decent fuel economy and performance reasonable price whats not to like? add supercharger and you can see why theres no market left for a tvr type motor.

[alpha channel]

I actually think that's a cracking looking car, really like it, even with the hood up (which is usually where thing fall flat). As others have said it'll all come down to just how much they'll charge for it.

[bobberz]

I'd really, really like the coupe version as a fun, economical daily driver. This just doesn't look as good in ragtop form, IMO.

My one criticism of the 86/BRZ is the price. Over here, you can get a Mustang GT with over twice the power and one of the best sounds for the same price as one of these with a couple options specced. At $20,000 it would be a no-brainer, but at $26-30,000, I think I'd take the 'Stang.

[Flood]

They've ditched the rear wing and it looks so much better for it.

Far more elegant than the coupe, even the wheels look (a bit) less crap.