[RJF]

Toyota and Subaru marriage is very exciting - Cars and Motorbikes - Mirror.co.uk


By Richard Hammond on October 15, 2009 7:03 PM in Subaru

In the past week I've read about two interesting and rather unlikely relationships.

The first is between the short jazzmaster Jamie Cullum (nowt wrong with being short, of course) and the considerably taller supermodel Sophie Dahl. The second is between Toyota and Subaru.

I'm not fussed by which celebrity is marrying who but I'm very excited by the prospect of a union between the company that brought us the Supra Turbo and MR2 and the one that brought us the Impreza WRX.

The plan is for Subaru to manufacture a rear-wheel drive coupe that both companies will then sell. Both will be powered by Subaru's famous flat-four boxer engine but each car will have its own identity.

Toyota's version will look very similar to the car that you're looking at right now.

Next week this concept car will be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show. Toyota is calling it the FT-86 Concept. If you're an anorak who specialises in Japanese performance cars from the 80s you'll know that the AE-86 was the code for the twin-cam rear-wheel drive Toyota Corolla that is a bit of a cult classic in Japan. You will surely agree that the FT-86 concept looks a bit special.

The Japanese are talking about a price on home turf of around £14,000 but by the time the car lands here in 2012, it'll probably be nearer £18k. That's still not bad for what promises to be a very desirable motor.

The Subaru engine is a perfect choice. Because of its flat-four layout it can be mounted very low in the chassis, which is handy for keeping the centre of gravity low down, and that is a nice thing for handling. Subaru's engines are crackers and although they were once a bit thirsty, Subaru has cleaned them up a lot.

I'd guess that an entry level Toyaru or Subota would have about 140bhp but a turbo engine from the Impreza could be fitted to top-of-the-range models to create a real tyre smoker.

This is a car that's going to really appeal to younger drivers. The FT-86 is shorter in length and height than the Audi TT, and also narrower. Toyota says that it'll be fun and easy to drive with "strong emotional performance". I think that means it'll make you smile when driving it.

[JackSwagger]

It was a good news for all of us, Toyota and Subaru have a great bonding in between, and i always loved the back coupe car launched by Subaru in past.

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Used Engine

[Cal]

I wonder how long this relationship will last and what type of vehicles it will produce. I also wonder about the competition.

Anyone up for a Nissan/Mazda car? lol

[Exitspeed]

Originally Posted by Cal

I wonder how long this relationship will last and what type of vehicles it will produce. I also wonder about the competition.

Anyone up for a Nissan/Mazda car? lol

1. No.

2. Nissan is already in bed with too many people ie Renault, and Daimler AG.

lol

[supraru]

Its always good to hear when competitive car manufactures can come together and share their knowledge because only then can they truly build a vehicle with the up-most technological advancements in today's automotive industry. That being said, I wonder who Mitsubishi will be teaming up with to rival its major competitor Subaru? Will we see an advancement to a rotary Mivec engine or perhaps a MiV-tech. Nowadays, the possibilities are endless.

[Toyoriffic]

I agree wicha supraru. I own a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS and love it. I will probly get another Mitsu in a couple years but really wanna see what they're gonna come up with in collaboration with another maker first. Even thought I wanted an 'i' for a while...come down since off of that stuff! '13 Lancer GTS Hybrid possibly...dunno yet. The FT-86 is RWD and there's too much snow here in the NID panhandle ta risk gettin' that.