Tokyo 2009: Toyota unveils FT-86 Concept, keeps mum on details
Toyota FT-86 Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
We got a sneak peak of the FT-86 earlier this month, and now Toyota has just officially revealed its new 2+2 concept here at the Tokyo Motor Show. It's been a while since the Japanese automaker has offered anything resembling a sports car – especially one with rear-wheel drive – so there was plenty of excitement when the covers were pulled off the FT-86. The coupe looks stunning in person, and we particularly like the details like the carbon-fiber rear diffuser and the stunning white leather seats.
We were hoping for more information about the FT-86 at its debut, but Toyota is still keeping quiet about the specific details of the car that is tipped for production in late 2011. Rumor has it that a Subaru 2.0-liter flat-four will be sending power to the rear wheels, and that keeping weight down to a minimum will be a top priority. We'll be sure to bring you more details as we get them, but until then check out our high-res gallery of live photos below.
Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-86 Concept
Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Franz 1:16AM (10/21/2009)
Dear Toyota, please grow a pair of balls and make sure you carry over as much of the concept as is possible to the production version. That is all.
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Franz 1:26AM (10/21/2009)
And while you're at it, forward this note to Honda: Updated S2000 engine & chassis wrapped in an "updated DC5-ish" body... any time now would be nice.
RMN 2:06AM (10/21/2009)
I thought Honda was ending production of the S2000.
Franz 2:13AM (10/21/2009)
They are, but I don't see why the rear drive chassis & wonderful F series motor have to go bye bye. It would make for a great Integra, & I believe a worthy competitor to Hyundai's Genesis coupe. They could even go turbo... they've had recent practice with the RDX motor.
vespid82 2:21AM (10/21/2009)
Um, this basically IS the production version. THIS was the true "concept" - http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/toyota-ft-hs-concept/full/#4
Sal Collaziano 9:54AM (10/21/2009)
vespid82 is correct. If there are any exterior changes to this car before it goes to production, they will be very minor. The interior is another story, however. While it may look similar in the end, a lot will be changed.. But the exterior is nearly set in stone..
Regarding power, there will likely be an entry-level model with a naturally aspirated 2.0 liter boxer engine - and possibly a turbo 2.5 liter...
Sal Collaziano
http://www.ft86.net
thipps 10:54AM (10/21/2009)
Guys i know its a small rwd car and all but take a look at whats in front of you. the proportions are horrid, It has the surfacing of a DUB show car on the hood. and slab sides with almost 0 tumblehome. i dont even want to get into that monstrosity of the back end.
I guess i cant blame them for making this car when you look at the market they sell to.
vespid82 11:45AM (10/21/2009)
@thipps
I must STRONGLY disagree with you on the "horrid" proportions. I REALLY think you don't understand how SMALL this car is. To get a feel for it's small size, look at the car with an occupant -
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/toyotaft86live_06.jpg
It's close to a tC size but pulls off the "look and feel" of a larger coupe through it's (IMO) well executed proportions. Making small coupes NOT appear super "hickey-headed" with real world human factors is no easy task. Not without eliminating the back seat that is.
That also explains the lack of tumblehome. It's NOT a wide vehicle like say, the LF-A. I super sporty and aggressive tumblehome would be forcing your occupants to feel confined in a steel trap. Leaving the pillars closer to vertical allows for more interior volume and not squeezing the passengers close together in the center.
DUB Show car surfacing on the hood? Since when to three simple surface changes equate to gaudy?! It literally has a more "tame" hood than a Camry. Probably because the headlamp and front end treatment is aggressive enough that it doesn't need a hood from Need for Speed Underground to look good.
Wow, and slab-sided? Are you kidding me?! Look at this image ALONE and please show me these slab-slides you speak of - http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/toyotaft86live_02.jpg
This design is gorgeous and very well executed, ESPECIALLY when considering the small package size.
novanglus 12:19PM (10/21/2009)
Looks like the "pony car" wars are heating up. Hyundai and Toyota/Subaru are tossing their hats in the ring. The FT looks very nice, much more cohesive than the Genesis Coupe, and it looks like it will be a good bit lighter. But, there are trade-offs in everything. My guess is that this thing will be teensy-weensy on the inside. I looked at the last Celica GT-S before it went tits up, and damn, it was tiny on the inside. I'm only 6-2 and my head was rubbing the headliner on the models with sunroofs. Looking at the photos from the show floor with the driver inside, I'm thinking no-way no-how for anyone over 6'0", unless they like the head-behind-the B-pillar driving style.
By the time this hits the market, we might see boosted 4 cylinder versions oft he Stang and Camaro, and in the Stang it will likely get the car into the 3200lb range. Should be an interesting quartet of pony cars by 2012, reach with different strong points.
FT-86.com 6:40PM (10/21/2009)
Hey guys we were at the Tokyo Auto Show as well. We had a chance to interview the guy in charge. Should have an article up soon.
Until check out all our FT-86 material at
http://ft-86.com
Shaggs 11:18PM (10/21/2009)
Seriously, Honda has officially been DUSTED by Hyundai, Toyota, and Subaru. I am losing my faith in Honda... May have to sell a few of mine while there's some resale value still
zamafir 11:49PM (10/22/2009)
coming from an Audi/VW fanboi perspective.... This thing rocks! Build it! Make it handle better than the Genesis and as cheap as the GTI. Thanks in advance :D
click_playaz 1:25AM (10/21/2009)
It's a stunner. Ow Too bad I can't go to TMS dang....
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Rob 12:34PM (10/21/2009)
Totally agree. I like how they've continued the LF-A design language, but it is sort of sad when the cheaper car is undeniably better looking than their top of the range halo car. Ah well, better for us mere average mortals.
click_playaz 1:29AM (10/21/2009)
Autoblog@ Two-seater concept? I think it's a 2+2.
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vespid82 2:23AM (10/21/2009)
You know why you think that? Because it IS! LOL
click_playaz 11:46AM (10/21/2009)
Haha yeah it IS. I dun have to think that then.
gefinley 1:33AM (10/21/2009)
I can't wait to see the Subaru version. Even still, this is a Toyota I might actually think about buying, which at the moment is an odd feeling.
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TonyInMI 1:34AM (10/21/2009)
Man I hope the production version looks like this! AWESOME! And a RWD boxer! Dream come true!
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RMN 2:08AM (10/21/2009)
Isn't it only the Subaru version that gets the boxer?