The AE-86 Corolla of the 1980′s is a well revered icon of the D1 Drift series, and now Toyota is aiming to recapture the spirit of Hachi-Roku (Japanese for eight-six) with their new FT-86 Concept.
Due to break cover for the first time at the Tokyo motor show later this month, the FT-86 is a compact rear-wheel drive coupe less than 4.2 metres (4,160 mm) in length.
Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre boxer engine from Subaru producing over 200bhp and sending it’s power to the rear wheels via a 6-speed gearbox. The FT-86 will go on sale in late 2011 with rumours of a Subaru version following shortly after with its own styling.
The FT-86 will fill a void in Toyota’s model range following the demise of the MR2 and Celica, and the lack of a truly sporting model to reflect their Formula 1 activities.
It might seem odd for Toyota to be fitting a Subaru engine into one of its cars, however Toyota owns a 16.5% stake in Subaru’s parent company Fuji Heavy Industries and its compact 2.0-litre boxer engine should contribute well to the FT-86′s low centre of gravity.
About Steve Davies
Publisher of SkiddMark and lifelong enthusiast of cars, bikes and motorsport. Professionally Steve is an advisor to many leading blue-chip clients in the telecoms, media and internet sectors and also former Managing Partner of a well known digital marketing agency.
Founded Drivers Republic (DR) in 2007, bringing on board a team of well known EVO and Autocar journalists.
7 Comments
Jonny Jones
October 7, 2009That is stunning! I would quite happily get into serious debt if they released the car with all of those design attributes! Truly amazing!
Jonny Jones
October 7, 2009That is stunning! I would quite happily get into serious debt if they released the car with all of those design attributes! Truly amazing!
Archie Davies
October 8, 2009aaaaaaaaaaa toyota finally!!!!!! why such a wait?!
Archie Davies
October 8, 2009aaaaaaaaaaa toyota finally!!!!!! why such a wait?!
Cameron Davies
October 12, 2009wow!, think I should start saving now! Been waiting for this for a long time.
Cameron Davies
October 12, 2009wow!, think I should start saving now! Been waiting for this for a long time.
700R4 Transmission
November 14, 2010I wanna find more info about this, anybody could?