[ToyobaruBot]

According to England's EVO Magazine, there's a lighter, track-ready version of the Toyota FT-86 planned that will drop the price from around $27,000 to $22,000 while adding stiffer suspension and stronger brakes. We'll take two.

The Toyota FT-86 concept is the fruit of cooperation between Toyota Motor Company and Subaru, and as such will wear a common chassis and some degree of engine commonality. The shared 2.0 liter, four-cylinder boxer engine, dubbed the "C-45 Boxer" and making between 200 and 250 HP, will power the rear wheels through a manual six speed transmission, and get this — no hybrid system.

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Perhaps most telling are the car's overall dimensions. At 163.7 inches long, 69.3 inches, a wheelbase of 101.2 inches, and 49.6 inches high, it's thankfully compact, smaller in length, width and height than the Nissan 370Z, and slightly longer in wheelbase.

EVO goes on to report that that the FT-86 will adopt some as-yet-unknown name by the time it hits dealers some time in 2011 and that it could built in Subaru's Indiana plant, along with the Subaru Coupe, and share some chassis components with the new Subaru Legacy.

[Exitspeed]

Originally Posted by Exitspeed

I'm hoping for it to start in the low $20's. I'd want it to MAX out at about $28k. And I'm talking aero, diff, TRD this and TRD that.

Most of all I don't want Navigation even as an option. No heated or cooled seats, no cooler in the glove box, none of that shit. Simple and driver oriented. I love the simplicity of the cockpit in the concept.

I'd be happy with say a base model (no sunroof), 6 speed, power locks/windows, LSD, Aero, 18 or 17" wheels (which would be swapped out ASAP anyway) for $25k. I could put like $10-$15,000 down and have a really small payment.

I was pretty close. Makes perfect sense to me.

[ToyobaruBot]

Toyota FT-86 Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The latest issue of EVO hasn't dropped into our laps yet, but our favorite Brit pub apparently got the scoop on another variant of the Toyota FT-86 -- one that's supposedly track tuned and considerably cheaper than the model due to arrive in 2011.

Powered by the same Subaru-sourced, Toyota-tuned boxer four, this supposedly stripped out variant could dispatch some of the standard model's amenities and come equipped with upgraded brakes and suspension components specifically designed for track work and drifting duty. According to EVO, a fully optioned FT-86 would carry a price tag of around $27,000, while this budget-oriented performance model will retail for around $22,000 -- a similar setup to the Hyundai Genesis Coupe RSpec.

EVO goes on to report that Toyota's crosstown rivals are working on a one-make race series for the Honda CR-Z and plan to campaign the hybrid hatch at the 24 hours of Nurburgring enduro in May. The more the merrier we say...


Gallery: Toyota FT-86 Concept in the Studio

[iafb83]

Looks like Toyota is planning on building a lightweight version of the FT-86 that will ditch the A/C and radio, among other things. $22 grand should be the target price. Not sure if I'd ditch the radio and A/C for an everyday car, but if you want to use it at the track, I could see the value. Check it out:

Toyota to offer track version of FT-86 sports coupe - Accel Times

[Axel]

To set the record straight... the exact wording of the EVO article that mentioned the FT-86 "stripped" model is the following... it doesn't say what will be eliminated on the car. (I was the one that broke the news on the internet... world-wide! )

Both Toyota and Honda are planning to go racing with their new sports cars, the FT-86 and the CR-Z respectively.

While the showroom version of the FT-86 is expected to cost over $27,000 in full spec (that's a touch over L16K, but expect that price to be considerably higher for UK cars), one source close to Toyota told us that a special low-frills competition version will sell for less than $22,000 and be specially set up for racing with stiffer suspension and beefier brakes. The same model will be used for drifting competitions.

Meanwhile, Honda has slightly bigger plans for its CR-Z. In addition to dual applications of its new hybrid system, namely entry in a one-make sprint race series as well as petrol-sipping eco-runs -- at the same circuit, on the same day with the same drivers -- Honda also plans to enter rhe CR-Z in endurance racing at the Nürburgring, starting from the second half of 2010.

One Honda Germany press officer said that if the race cars could be prepared in time, 'Honda Europe would very much like to get the ball rolling with a couple of cars for the 24-hour race in May, maybe even one for an all-girl team!'

[Cal]

I would imagine, A/C radio, and electronic stuff would be deleted.

[aesthetect]

Originally Posted by ToyobaruBot

The shared 2.0 liter, four-cylinder boxer engine, dubbed the "C-45 Boxer" and making between 200 and 250 HP, will power the rear wheels through a manual six speed transmission, and get this — no hybrid system.

sorry, new to the forum, but i was unaware of any hybrid system plans for this coupe which are implied here? could anybody fill me in or throw me a link?

[Exitspeed]

Originally Posted by aesthetect

sorry, new to the forum, but i was unaware of any hybrid system plans for this coupe which are implied here? could anybody fill me in or throw me a link?

There was speculation waaaay back about the car possibly being a hybrid. It seems now though that those rumors were actually referring to Toyota's possible MR2 replacement.

There has been nothing implying that since though.

[aesthetect]

ah ok. not surprised by such rumors coming about as it was reportedly developed with notions of a green sports car in mind

this lighter, more focused offering mentioned here is certainly a much more exciting approach to that idea! like a lotus meets subaru w toyota design and quality - win win win

[Exitspeed]

Originally Posted by aesthetect

ah ok. not surprised by such rumors coming about as it was reportedly developed with notions of a green sports car in mind

this lighter, more focused offering mentioned here is certainly a much more exciting approach to that idea! like a lotus meets subaru w toyota design and quality - win win win

I actually expect the regular version of this car to get very good mileage. It seems like it's goin to be a low hp car and relatively lightweight. I'd be very surprised if it didn't get at least 32mpg hwy.

[aesthetect]

yeah i definitely think so too. actually thats what i meant, lightweight and getting as much as possible out of a low displacement engine is a much more exciting way to build a efficient/high mileage performance car than unpredictable hybrid control schemes. not sure what to make of a 2.0 subaru boxer tho, as they havent made anything with less than 2.5 liters since around 2000 (unless it had a turbo). also curious as to whether they will emphasize the boxers inherent torque abilities as you suggested or try to make a high rev limit piece to get enticing performance.

some direct injection would be nice too although i bet they go for variable valve timing

..sorry, kinda OT. but a stripped down version definitely lights my fire. also makes me wonder if the engine will be sharing the common subaru engine and transmission mounts to make swapping in a, for instance, EJ257 as easy into one of these as it is any other subaru. one of those in one of these track ready models would be explosively fun.

[Cal]

Originally Posted by Exitspeed

I actually expect the regular version of this car to get very good mileage. It seems like it's goin to be a low hp car and relatively lightweight. I'd be very surprised if it didn't get at least 32mpg hwy.

I can already see the amount of girls who are going to end up driving the regular version.

[Exitspeed]

Originally Posted by Cwrigh25

I can already see the amount of girls who are going to end up driving the regular version.

Perfectly fine with me. That stigma won't do anything to sway my view on a car.

[Cal]

Of course not. We are s-chassis fans, we are already used to it.

[aesthetect]

whats s-chassis? IS?

[iafb83]

I read that it will "come out sometime over the next two years." Does anyone have any more details than this? Please post a link if you do! Thx

[Exitspeed]

Originally Posted by iafb83

I read that it will "come out sometime over the next two years." Does anyone have any more details than this? Please post a link if you do! Thx

Again, Toyota and Suby have not confirmed anything for either of these cars. The only thing we know for a fact is that both cars exist in concept form (though the Suby has yet to be unveiled) and the Toyota version is RWD. That and the actual demensions of the Toyota version. Outside of that everything is purely speculation.

Originally Posted by aesthetect

whats s-chassis? IS?

S-Chassis is the chassis code for the 240sx (US), 180sx (Japan), 200sx (Europe) and Silvia (Japan).