After a year of rumours, questions and theories, the joint venture of Toyota and Subaru is finally being unveiled, as the FT-86 Coupe. Inspiration for this funky looking motor dubbed by some as the “Toyobaru”, is from the sporty AE86 Corolla model dating back to the 1980s. Throw a Subaru Impreza engine and Toyota badging into the mix, and the FT-86 is sure to be a big hit.
It will be powered by Subaru’s 2.0-litre Boxer engine, with 146bhp and 191Nm of torque, built Toyota’s partner Fuji Heavy Industries. It will also be rear-wheel drive, instead of the all-wheel drive that Subaru are well known for, and the engine will be mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
There are also rumours that there will be a turbo version as well, which will give the FT-86 that extra thrust. And with the car being a rear-wheel drive, it is sure to provide hours pleasure while sliding the back end around corners, and performing wheel spins (on track days of course). Toyota is keen to keep the performance car practical and, as with all their upcoming models, keep CO2 emissions and price as low as possible.
The FT-86 is very easy on the eye with its beefy good looks, and fingers are crossed that the actual production car will look not too dissimilar to the concept images. It is dubbed to be the next Celica, will be marketed by both Toyota and Subaru and will go on sale sometime late 2011 in Japan. When it eventually comes to the UK, it is likely to cost around £18,000 for the standard car, and probably extra for the turbo and higher trim models.
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