Toyota confirms FT-86 details

Japanese automaker confirms a 2.0 liter Boxer engine from Subaru will power the FT-86

According to our colleagues over at Motorward.com, Toyota has confirmed certain details on the upcoming FT-86.

The report states that the FT-86 production version will feature a 2.0 liter Boxer engine from Subaru and a D-4S injection system from Toyota.

Transmission options will be a six-speed manual or six-speed sequential gearbox with paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.

The car will be a rear-wheel drive with a limited-slip differential.

The FT-86 has been a long time in development and we expect more details soon as the model is gearing up for its official introduction.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/111050233033/toyota-confirms-ft-86-details---report#ixzz1LIe1jCyQ

Woody's Car Site: Toyota FT-86 Speculation

Not sure where he dug this up, but Woody's thinking that this could be the Hybrid version.... Interesting, good find!
Source;
http://www.woodyscarsite.com/2011/04/toyota-ft-86-hybrid-speculation.html

Official FT-86 II Concept Press Release, Press Photos

All I can say is.... wow.... what a beautiful car.... C'mon Honda, Prelude II!
FT-86 II concept – Embodies Toyota’s Reborn Passion for Sports Car Driving
— Toyota has been creating exciting sports cars for over 50 years
— 2000 GT established Toyota’s global reputation for sports car manufacturing
— Corolla Coupe, Celica, Supra and MR2 consistently popular on the global market
— FT-86 II concept previews the next generation of Toyota sports car
— Entirely driver-focused concept designed to capture the intrinsic joy of driving
— Boxer engine for light weight, low centre of gravity and optimum power-to-weight ratio

Heritage – Half a Century of Passion for Sporting Performance
‘When the Toyota 2000 GT was built, I was eleven years old – and I loved it. I said: “I want to drive something like this when I grow up”. My dream came true when I drove a 2000 GT in a vintage car rally. That was a really great experience.

I want young people to feel those same desires when they see a new Toyota sports car. I want to transfer the thrill of the race track to our vehicles, and make driving fun and exciting for our customers.’

Akio Toyoda – President, Toyota Motor Corporation

Since Toyota began the development of its 2-cylinder boxer engined Sports 800 in 1962, the company has maintained a long history of creating exciting, driver-focused sports cars that have proved as popular with the public as they have been successful in competition.

The beautiful 2000 GT, first displayed at the 1965 Tokyo Motor Show, helped establish the company’s global reputation as a sports car manufacturer. This 2.0 litre straight-six-powered coupe finished third in the 1966 Japanese GP and went on to establish three world endurance records, including the fastest average speed continuously over 16,000 kilometres – 207km/h.

A convertible 2000 GT appeared in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice. Sadly – created as a movie one-off merely because the film’s star, Sean Connery, could not fit comfortably in the standard coupe – it was never made commercially available.

In the US, former Le Mans winner Carroll Shelby entered the 2000 GT in the 1968 Sports Car Club of America’s C-Production category. Despite little development, the lead car notched up four wins against the hitherto dominant Porsche 911.

In response to the focus of the annual Japanese Grand Prix on sports racing cars with larger engines, Toyota launched its first purpose-built racer in 1968, the Toyota 7, which featured a mid-mounted, 3.0 litre V8 subsequently upgraded to 5.0 litres. The 1970 Toyota 7 Turbo was the world’s first turbo-engined racing car.

Before its launch in 1984, Toyota appointed legendary US racing driver Dan Gurney for the testing and development of the MR2. Toyota has always understood the value of motorsport and a racing driver’s analytically skills for improving its road-going models. And the MR2 gained a well-deserved reputation as one of the best handling sports cars of all time.

Seven generations of the Celica were sold throughout the world for 36 years between 1970 and 2006. The first Celicas incorporated rear-wheel drive powertrains, and were praised by sports car enthusiasts for their agility. The Celica GT, introduced in Europe in 1974, featured a five-speed transmission and wider tyres.

Appealing strongly to the European market, the redesigned Celica of 1985 featured front-wheel drive and the powerful, 2.0 litre 3S-GE engine.

The Celica also achieved considerable success in competition. The Celica Twin-Cam Turbo achieved three consecutive Safari Rally wins between 1984 and 1986. Taking its first World Rally Championship win in Australia in 1989, the all-wheel drive Celica GT-Four went on to record back-to-back WRC driver’s and manufacturer’s titles in 1993 and 1994. The GT-Four was the first Japanese car to win both driver’s and manufacturer’s WRC titles.

Toyota’s Supra was launched in 1979. The first two generations of the car were based on the Celica, the Supra only becoming a model in its own right with the third generation car of 1986. Its roots may be traced back to the 2000 GT, all four generations boasting straight-six engines and rear-wheel drive.

Engine cubic capacity rose with each generation from 2.5 litres to 2.7 and then 3.0 litres, culminating in the 1993 model year. VI Supra’s 320 hp engine with sequential turbocharging, which gave the car a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 5.2 seconds, and a governed maximum speed of 250km/h.

With its reputation for delivering pure excitement and embodying the fundamental joy of driving, the Corolla Levin AE86 is the inspiration behind Toyota’s latest sports car concept, the Future Toyota-86 II.

The Corolla Levin AE86’s front engine, rear-wheel drive powertrain, compact dimensions, light weight, impeccable balance and superior power-to-weight ratio made it the must-have choice for rallying and circuit driving throughout its 1983-1987 production life. Even today, the AE86 is still a popular choice with private rallying teams.

Sharing its predecessor’s front engine, rear-wheel drive credentials, the FT-86 II concept introduces a new generation of sports car which perfectly recaptures the exhilarating spirit of the last Corolla Levin AE 86.

Passion is Back: FT-86 II concept Gives Form to the Intrinsic Joy of DrivingWith the proportions of its long, low bonnet, high wings and rear-set cabin paying homage to Toyota’s illustrious sports car history, the dynamic power of the FT-86 II concept gives the clearest indication yet as to the final design of Toyota’s next sports car.

The FT-86 II is an entirely driver-oriented concept, designed to give form to the intrinsic joy of driving through precise, instantaneous responses to even the smallest throttle or steering input, for those who regard driving as a passion rather than a necessity.

Under a design concept that Toyota’s European Design Development centre, ED2, has dubbed ‘Functional Beauty’, its bold, sweeping form has been generated entirely through the constraints of function, and aerodynamics developed from F1 technology.

Its low, highly aerodynamic bodyshell stretched tight over the engineering hard points, the FT-86 II concept’s muscular body work has been made as compact as possible. Featuring a long, 2,570mm wheelbase, the concept is 4,235mm long, 1,795mm wide and just 1,270mm high.

Rather than relying on a heavy, large displacement powertrain for its performance, the FT-86 II returns to Toyota’s sporting roots by combining a free-revving boxer petrol engine and a 6-speed manual transmission with compact dimensions, light weight and a low centre of gravity for the best possible power-to-weight ratio.

Both powertrain and driving position have been set as low and as far back as possible to optimise balance for maximum poise, high speed stability and dynamic agility. Allied to a front engine, rear-wheel drive format, this awards the FT-86 II lively, accessible performance, highly engaging, readily-exploitable dynamic abilities and maximum driving pleasure.

The FT-86 II concept is the result of an August 2009 announcement that Toyota and Fuji Heavy Industries will launch a jointly developed compact rear-wheel drive sports car. European sales of Toyota’s new sports car will begin in 2012.

Source;

Toyota

Toyota FT-86 Teaser for Geneva Auto Show

Toyota allows us a glimpse of new FT-86 II - an evolution of its rear-drive coupe concept

Toyota is set to unveil a second evolution of the FT-86 rear-drive coupe concept at the Geneva show in March.

The FT-86 was first unveiled as a concept back in 2009 and, although rumours last summer suggested that the eagerly anticipated coupe could make production by the end of 2011, the new concept will be the first 'official' step closer to revealing the final design for the new Toyota coupe.

Unfortunately we'll all have to wait a bit longer to see properly what the 'FT-86 II' is, as Toyota is following the distinctly irritating fashion of enigmatic teaser photos.

So, aside from the frustrating photo, all Toyota will say for now is that the FT-86 II "builds on the original concept and will give the clearest indication yet of the final design for Toyota's next sports car".

Oh, and that "this new concept embodies the company's reborn passion for sports car driving".
Very nice, but can we see the car now please, Toyota?

Source;
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=23083

Toyota Aims to Lift Annual U.S. Sales to Two Million Vehicles by 2013

Yep, this is to be badged a Scion?!?....
By Mike Ramsey
Of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Dow Jones)--Toyota Motor Corp. on Wednesday challenged U.S.
dealers to boost annual sales in the U.S. to two million vehicles by 2013, an
increase of 30% over its current level, according to two people briefed by the
company.

Yoshi Inaba, president of the U.S. operations, made the challenge to more
than a thousand dealers who attended a national dealer meeting, this person
said.

The automaker also showed dealers the two new versions of its Prius hybrid
that it plans to introduce in the U.S. before the end of 2012, these people
said.

The new versions include a subcompact that is smaller than the current Prius
hatchback and about the size of Toyota's Yaris subcompact, they said.

The other looks like a small sport-utility vehicle and has 50% more interior
and cargo space than the existing Prius model, the people said.

Toyota has discussed for more than a year the idea of expanding the number
hybrid models it offers under the Prius name.

After the dealer meeting, Toyota also announced in a statement that it would
make standard its free two-year, 25,0000-mile scheduled maintenance program.
The offer was started as an incentive program in March and never discontinued.
It now applies to all future sales of Toyota and Scion models.

Toyota is seeking to return to the rapid growth rate that made it the world's
largest automaker. On Tuesday, Lexus dealers were told that Toyota would offer
rebates and subsidize loans and leases on most Lexus models in a bid to help
the luxury brand secure the top sales spot among premium brands.

Lexus has been the top-selling luxury make in the U.S. for about a decade but
trails Mercedes-Benz so far this year.

Toyota has lost more than a percentage point of market share in 2010 so far,
mainly as a result of the fallout from the quality and safety crisis that
engulfed the auto maker earlier this year.

In Las Vegas, Toyota Chief Executive Akio Toyoda also told the dealers that
his number one priority was to give customers peace of mind about the products
and to enliven the brand, making the cars more fun and enjoyable to drive, the
people briefed by the company said.

Toyota promised last January that it would go forward with an expanded Prius
line, including, a plug-in version of the Prius that can go about 13 miles on
only electricity before the engine kicks on in 2012.

Toyota, which already sells more hybrids than any other automaker, recently
said it would introduce six new hybrid models in the next two years. The Prius
models build on a well-established brand that has been the market leader in
hybrids.

Mr. Toyoda told the dealers that Toyota would try to be the world leader in
building environmentally conscious vehicles and touted the company's
cooperation with Tesla Motors Inc. Toyota is building a RAV4 electric car using
Tesla battery technology, the people briefed by Toyota said.

He also thanked the Toyota dealers for sticking by the company as they dealt
with millions of repairs for recalled vehicles since last fall, due primarily
to complaints about unintended acceleration, according to the people briefed by
Toyota.

Toyota executives also told dealers they were committed to reviving the
struggling, youth-oriented Scion brand and were bringing a slate of new
products, the people said.

The new Scion models include a production version of its FT-86 concept car as
well as the already-announced Scion iQ subcompact, the people said.

Toyota is one of the few automakers to offer free maintenance on its
vehicles. The incentive was launched in March as Toyota was seeking to regain
the trust of American buyers.

Toyota briefly stopped selling eight of its most popular models in February
to fix a sticky accelerator pedal. Toyota also was in the midst of recalling
millions of vehicles for slipping floor mats that could entrap accelerator
pedals.

Source;
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703735804575536751102318986.html

News Scoop – FT-86 is on time

I can't wait to see this car! C'mon Honda, bring back the Prelude!!!!!Good news FT-86 fans. I was invited as one of the only foreign journalists to attend a press day on Wednesday where the JDM only Noah and Voxy Minivans were being showcased by G’s, the sports vehicle oriented arm of Toyota Japan. The FT-86 though, didn’t take long to come up in the conversation…

Most importantly, Toyota held the strictly invite only event not only to show off the G’s upgrades to their people movers but also to offer access to some of Toyota’s innermost engineers and sports department managers.

This presented an ideal opportunity to discuss Toyota’s involvement in the current market and inevitably, questions regarding the FT86 surfaced quickly.

A private 20 minute question and answer session I had with Dr. Shigeyuki Hori, Project General Manager for the Sports Vehicle Management division and Kazuo Okino, Group manager for the same division uncovered a number of promising pieces of news.

I can confirm that the cars development is on schedule and that the reports for the cars release in 2013 are erroneous. Toyota reiterated its intent to release the car by the previously appointed date, in November 2011. I can also confirm that the car is approximately 50% complete with the target price remaining steady for the mid level spec FT-86 at approximately 2.5 million yen ( approx. $29,000 USD ). One can only speculate at the moment what the base grade spec and price will be and no mention was made of the price for the top spec model but one can be led to guess this will involve a turbocharged motor.

While on the subject of turbocharging, Hori san and Okino san both confirmed that discussions were still being held and nothing had been decided yet. Both were hesitant to provide any confirmation on the radical Gazoo Racing model that wowed the world at last years Tokyo Auto Salon. It needs to be remembered that G’s is ostensibly a street car oriented arm of Toyota and as such the cars will be basically stock power wise with most of the modifications coming in the way of aesthetic changes and suspension, chassis and brake upgrades.

But take heart – the Voxy and Noah concepts at Wednesdays conference appeared in almost exactly the same configuration as the cars that were displayed at the TAS last year. This bodes well for the FT-86.

Another interesting fact about the cars development is that it will remain virtually unchanged, design wise. Okino san was clear in his remarks when he said that the FT86 will only be modified in regards to its aesthetic parts, namely items relating to the body but the overall shape will not change.

One last piece of news that is sure to bring some relief, was the comment made that a hybrid version was not being considered for the FT86. Hybrid technology is indeed being considered for the sport car segment but in another form of car. This car is most likely to be the new Toyota Hybrid sports concept.

Later in the day, the Chief Officer for Toyota’s Motor Sports Division, Tadashi Yamashina, held an exclusive round table conference for the assembled journalists of which 7tune was privy to.

One of the journalists at the conference reminded Yamashina san that there is a very high level of anxiety amongst the public over the FT-86, to which Mr Yamashina replied categorically that the cars development was on schedule and that because of Toyota’s connection with Subaru, there was no way that the car wasn’t going to be great. Read from that what you will but it is clear that Toyota is holding this hand very very close to its chest and is intent on releasing news and coverage on the car when it feels the time is right.

Who can blame them really? This is one of the most anticipated cars to come from Japan in over a decade, so Toyota and its members are quite within their right to be guarded with information.

I was very encouraged by the positive signals coming from within the organization and the general tone appears to be one of positivity in the changes taking place.

I would like to personally extend my thanks to the Corporate Communications Department personnel, and Toyota as a whole, for offering 7tune the opportunity to be a part of this important conference.

Source;
http://www.7tune.com/news-scoop-the-ft-86-is-on-time-and-unchanged/

Toyota to launch two new hybrid sports cars: MR2 and Supra

According to the latest reports it appears that Toyota is ready to built two hybrid sports cars: a successor to the MR2 and a reborn Supra.

First of all, we have the MR2 which is set to receive a hybrid powertrain based on a 1.5-liter petrol engine, just like the Honda CR-Z, which uses a 1.5-liter engine capable to deliver 102 hp but also an electric motor which develops an extra 20 hp. Apparently, the MR2, which will make its debut in 2013, was set to receive a V6 petrol engine but due to the success of the Honda CR-Z, Toyota changed its mind. Regarding the Supra successor, it seems that this car will be inspired by the FT-HS Concept unveiled back in 2007 at the Detroit Auto Show and will receive a V6 hybrid powertrain. Set to make its debut in late 2013 or 2014, the car’s development is now running almost in parallel with that of the FT-86.


Source;
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/toyota-to-launch-to-new-hybrid-sports-cars-mr2-and-supra/#more-8958

Toyota FT-86 debut to be made in 2013! Hybrid version planned!

It appears that the same thing that happened with the Lexus LFA Supercar will happen with the new Toyota FT-86. For those who don’t know, the Lexus LFA was first unveiled in a concept form back in 2005 at the Detroit Auto Show.

The production version was launched last year at the Tokyo Motor Show. The new Toyota FT-86 will likely have the same faith and people will get tired of waiting it! According to the latest reports from Japan’s Best Car magazine, the Toyota FT-86 will make its debut in 2013. The reasons for the delay would be the changing of the design but also the fact that a 2011 release may be premature…What?!?!?!?! Anyway, there is also a good news: Toyota will take a closer look to Honda’s CR-Z hybrid sports coupe and may consider a hybrid version of the FT-86!

Source;
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/toyota-ft-86-debut-to-be-made-in-2013-hybrid-version-planned/