Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Report: No AWD for Subaru version of FT-86 "Toyobaru" [w/poll]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/13/report-subaru-version-of-ft86-toyobaru-will-not-get-all-wheel/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/13/report-subaru-version-of-ft86-toyobaru-will-not-get-all-wheel/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/13/report-subaru-version-of-ft86-toyobaru-will-not-get-all-wheel/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

FT-86 Mule
Toyota/Subaru Coupe test mule - Click above to enlarge

Japan's Best Car (via 7Tune) apparently reports that development costs associated with Subaru's version of the Toyota FT-86 sport coupe have become so high that all-wheel drive is now being dropped from the equation. If true, this would deprive the widely-expected Scooby coupe of the feature the brand's entire marketing platform is built on, likely leaving us with a pair of clones whose only major difference will be styling. To that end, it's also reported that an effort is underway to more substantially differentiate the Subaru coupe's look from the Toyota FT-86 beyond grilles and badges.

Of course, nothing's official until these cars are formally introduced, but yanking AWD from the Subaru effectively leaves us with a Japanese version of GM's old Camaro/Firebird scenario, assuming both cars really do come to market. Frankly, it's hard to see why Subaru would even bother going with this sans all-wheel drive coupe, though the Herculean PR spin they'd have to put on it would likely be hugely entertaining ("This is what we wanted all along...").

So, let's hear what you think. Follow the jump for a poll on how a lack of AWD would impact your interest in the presumed Subaru version of the Toyota FT-86. Thanks to Johnny for the tip!

[Source: 7Tune via FT86Club.com]

Continue reading Report: No AWD for Subaru version of FT-86 "Toyobaru" [w/poll]

Report: No AWD for Subaru version of FT-86 "Toyobaru" [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-wheel driveAll-wheelDriveawdcoupeft-86FT-86 ConceptFt-86ConceptFt86subarusubaru coupeSubaruCoupetoyobarutoyotatoyota coupeToyotaCoupeSat, 13 Mar 2010 10:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19397533/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/03/13/report-subaru-version-of-ft86-toyobaru-will-not-get-all-wheel/19397533/article-detail.xml 19397533 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/readerspytoyobarucoupeopt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/readerspytoyobarucoupeopt.jpg <![CDATA[Rumormill: Has Toyota scrapped the design of the FT-86?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/10/rumormill-has-toyota-scrapped-the-design-of-the-ft-86/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/10/rumormill-has-toyota-scrapped-the-design-of-the-ft-86/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/10/rumormill-has-toyota-scrapped-the-design-of-the-ft-86/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Toyota FT-86 concept - click above for high-res image gallery

This is... odd. But here's the very long story short. Japan's Holiday Autos is reporting that Toyota has decided to scrap the design of the so far pretty much beloved FT-86. Don't worry, the FT-86 and its rear-wheel drive, simple, cheap, sporty self isn't in danger. Toyota had three competing designs to work worth and have picked one that they liked better than the car we saw in Tokyo. That is their right and privilege.

This new design is reportedly the work of a Northern American design team also known as Calty Design Research, beating out Toyota's other European and Japanese proposals. The European team is responsible for the FT-86 concept we've seen so far. Trouble is, we have no idea what this new car looks like and we like how the concept looked. FT86club.com has a rendering of what the new car may look like posted here. But again, who knows? Especially as Holiday Autos doesn't strike us as the most trustworthy of sources. We'll try to do some digging and keep you posted. Tip of the floppy fedora to Cameron!


Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-86 Concept


[Source: Holiday Autos via FT-86club.com]

Rumormill: Has Toyota scrapped the design of the FT-86? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FT-86FT-86 ConceptFt-86ConceptToyotaToyota FT-86 designToyotaFt-86DesignToytota FT-86ToytotaFt-86Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:55:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19351688/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/02/10/rumormill-has-toyota-scrapped-the-design-of-the-ft-86/19351688/article-detail.xml 19351688 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/63086_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/63086.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: Toyota FT-86 sure doesn't sound like a boxer]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/video-toyota-ft-86-sure-doesnt-sound-like-a-boxer/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/video-toyota-ft-86-sure-doesnt-sound-like-a-boxer/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/video-toyota-ft-86-sure-doesnt-sound-like-a-boxer/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Toyota FT-86 Concept exhaust note - Click to watch the video after the jump

Toyota garnered a lot of attention at this year's Tokyo Motor Show with the debut of the FT-86 concept. And they weren't about to let it slip past them, either. As part of the spectacle, they played the sounds of the prototype supposedly rounding the Nürburgring.

The FT-86 is being jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru, the former providing the platform and the latter the engine, among other components. The thing is, as our JDM-loving compatriots over at 7Tune point out, the engine noise piped in doesn't sound much like a boxer four.

Of course, that kind of deducing poses more questions than it answers: Is Toyota planning a different engine for its version of the so-called Toyobaru sports-coupe? Is Subaru's hesitation prompting Toyota to make its own plans? Did they not like how the engine sounded and opt to pipe in another soundtrack altogether? We can only speculate, but if you listen to the audio in the video clip after the jump and have your own idea, we're all ears.


Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-86 Concept


[Source: 7Tune.com]

Continue reading VIDEO: Toyota FT-86 sure doesn't sound like a boxer

VIDEO: Toyota FT-86 sure doesn't sound like a boxer originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boxerboxer engineBoxerEngineflat fourFlatFourft-86ft-86 boxerft-86 conceptft-86 engineFt-86BoxerFt-86ConceptFt-86Enginesubarusubaru boxerSubaruBoxertoyobarutoyotatoyota ft-86ToyotaFt-86Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:20:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19223126/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/05/video-toyota-ft-86-sure-doesnt-sound-like-a-boxer/19223126/article-detail.xml 19223126 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/toyotaft86live_11web_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/toyotaft86live_11web.jpg <![CDATA[Tokyo 2009: Toyota unveils FT-86 Concept, keeps mum on details]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/toyota-ft-86-concept-tokyo-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/toyota-ft-86-concept-tokyo-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/toyota-ft-86-concept-tokyo-2009/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


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 (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Tokyo 2009: Toyota unveils FT-86 Concept, keeps mum on details originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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