Update on the Toyota FT86

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Thu Apr 14, 2011 2:30 pm

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/256560/

The latest Toyota FT-86 concept at last month’s Geneva show is “95 per cent” the production car, according to insiders, accurate in its surfacing, although its 20-inch wheels won’t make production.

The FT has a monocoque structure, carefully engineered with high-strength steels to keep weight low. It is similar in length to an Auris at 4235mm and sits on a generous wheelbase of 2570mm, but it’s only 1270mm high – one good reason for its low centre of gravity.

Toyota is coy about the FT’s kerb weight, but if it truly undercuts the Scirocco by 200kg, it must weigh little more than 1100kg[=2425lb] ready to roll – a very impressive figure that rivals will want to investigate.

See Autocar's exclusive studio pics of the Toyota FT-86 II

The engine is basically a 2.0-litre, 16-valve flat four from the Subaru stable but with special modifications to suit this new application. Driving through a six-speed manual gearbox (or a six-speed paddle-shift auto in some markets), the unusual powertrain concentrates its masses considerably lower than an ordinary in-line layout would do, and further back in the car. A standard limited-slip differential further aids traction.

Toyota engineers say the engine produces around 200bhp, but final power, torque and fuel figures are still being derived because this Subaru-sourced engine uses a Toyota direct fuel injection system with Toyota’s own engine management.

Manufacturing begins in early 2012, on sale in Japan in mid-2012 and other markets soon after. They expect it will be around £25,000, which should translate to about $25,000 here.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:36 am

Geeze, come on. 2500 lbs with ~200 chp. If they just put some camber gaining double wishbone suspension on it instead of struts, it might give the s2000 a run for the money since it might actually have some torques

.

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Sat Apr 16, 2011 12:35 am

JamesShort wrote:

it might give the s2000 a run for the money

Rubbish!

steve remchak · **Posted:** Sat Apr 16, 2011 1:03 am

JamesShort wrote:

Geeze, come on. 2500 lbs with ~200 chp. If they just put some camber gaining double wishbone suspension on it instead of struts, it might give the s2000 a run for the money since it might actually have some torques

.

even I know this is complete jibberish. i suspect that this new-fangled Toy-otter is nothing more than a different Scion.

of course i'm not really sure i ever remember Toyota as being a company that built sports cars. certainly i have never strived to own one of their products.

i had high hopes when the concept was first introduced.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Sat Apr 16, 2011 6:51 am

Is300 and last gen supra had proper suspension.

This car will likely target the genesis.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Sat Apr 16, 2011 6:23 pm

The 1967 - 1970 Toyota 2000GT had double wishbone suspension front and rear. That may have been the only street Toyota with that type of suspension. None since come to mind. Not exactly a high volume car.

A friend let me drive his once in about 1976. He had to sell it before they got to collector big bucks status but I still was VERY careful. I think it was right hand drive but don't really remember.

http://www.motortrend.com/classic/c12_0 ... index.html

FYI my one and only Toyota was a 1966 Toyota Corona (new). It had a double wishbone front suspension. Rear was solid axle.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Sun Apr 17, 2011 9:35 pm

DickRasmussen wrote:

The 1967 - 1970 Toyota 2000GT had double wishbone suspension front and rear. That may have been the only street Toyota with that type of suspension. None since come to mind. Not exactly a high volume car.

A friend let me drive his once in about 1976. He had to sell it before they got to collector big bucks status but I still was VERY careful. I think it was right hand drive but don't really remember.

http://www.motortrend.com/classic/c12_0 ... index.html

FYI my one and only Toyota was a 1966 Toyota Corona (new). It had a double wishbone front suspension. Rear was solid axle.

Like I said above, the IS300 and Supra both had/have double wishbone suspension.

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:51 am

JamesShort wrote:

FYI my one and only Toyota was a 1966 Toyota Corona (new). It had a double wishbone front suspension. Rear was solid axle.

Like I said above, the IS300 and Supra both had/have double wishbone suspension.[/quote]

One of the main reasons I thought about buying more Koni's and switching to DS after hearing about 19 run corded Hoosiers on a co-driven Civic Si in Lincoln last year.

-.6 of camber with OE crash bolts FTL! I'm starting to realize that not understeering (early turn-in or 'diamond' apexing as Dick alluded to last year) definitely helps with tire life. I'll be happy if the A6's get half the runs that the squared V710's did last year.

Just a side note, I had to do everything I could to not have a silly grin while riding with Donnie in the yellow DSP IS300 this weekend. Man that thing was fun, even as a passenger! The 295 rears probably had something to do with it.

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