Standout sports star
A SPORTS car has emerged as the standout of the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.
NO European, Korean, Chinese or US manufacturers showed up but that didn’t stop Toyota/Lexus from rolling out a brace of new models including the sweet looking FT (Future Toyota) 86, a hat lift to popular models from 1986.
The FT86 is a four-seat, rear drive, twodoor sports coupe with a 2.0-litre horizontally opposed four cylinder petrol engine courtesy of Subaru.
The car is actually a joint effort between the two companies (a Toybaru) and if or when it goes into production, could be the fi rst two (rear) wheel drive Subaru in Australia for more than a decade.
Subaru is developing its own version.
Toyota wouldn’t commit to whether FT86 was a certainty but judging by the near production ready Tokyo show “concept” buyers won’t have to wait too long.
It’s a natural replacement for the discontinued, much lamented Celica range popular for nearly two decades but potential names are still under discussion.
Toyota designers and engineers focused on weight reduction as much as engine power for the FT86.
It has a low centre of gravity to give a sporty feel and afford the driver greater control in more demanding driving conditions.
The latest Toyota technology features throughout including the outstanding interior that may or may not fl ow through to production.
The engine has direct fuel injection to optimise economy and performance while reducing fuel consumption.
But there is a high performance model in the pipeline according to the FT86 project director.
He said that shared parts between Toyota and Subaru should help bring the FT86 price down.
He said a hybrid version was not in the pipeline because FT86’s main thrust is fun, and sports driving.
A convertible model is possible down the track.
The car looks stunning in the metal with an air of Ferrari about its front, gorgeous side profile highlighted by muscular curves in the metal and a low arcing roof line truncated at the rear in a bob tail.
The interior of the show car was in white leather with blue lighting – extreme coolness.
Two models are likely to be offered (if) it goes into production next year.
Bank on it.
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Crossbred: The FT86 is a "Toybaru", a joint effort between Toyota and Subaru.
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