[ToyobaruBot]

07-31-2009 01:27 PM

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Rumormill



This is not a fine kettle of fish. For some time now, fans of Toyota's AE86 Corolla and Subaru rally cars have been licking their chops in anticipation of the Toyota/Subaru-developed coupe. Affectionately known as the Toyobaru or 086A, the coupe is poised to resurrect the FR arrangement in Japan and give Toyota a much-needed excitement injection. Or maybe not. The JDM lovin' folks at 7Tune are reporting that the 086A is being neutered by about 40 hp in order for the new vehicle to be branded as an "eco car" in its home market.

But don't fret too much, as the plan is to simultaneously lower the coupe's weight, boosting the power-to-weight ratio. The other (maybe) good news for American consumers is that the power reduction seems to be effecting only the 2.0-liter boxer engine, a motor that Subaru no longer sells in the US. Meaning that we can expect our 086As to come with at least Subie's naturally aspirated and ubiquitous 2.5-liter boxer, if not a whole lot of turbo plumbing -- if makes it to the States.

Toyota is also banking on the fact that previous AE86 owners will view the new car as a nostalgia purchase. As such, they've changed the cars demographic from the coveted, if not fanciful, 18-35 year-old range to the more-likely-to-actually-buy-stuff 30-50 year-old male range. Most of these rumors will be dismissed for good when the Toyota/Subaru coupe makes its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show this October.

[Source: 7Tune]Rumormill: Toyota/Subaru coupe drops 40 hp, loses weight, marketed to your dad? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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[josebunbury]

it isn't the worst news (the worst being the whole project was cancelled) but if the do drop the weight and being a 2.0 engine it still could produce a decent amount of power, I beleive since still being planed this will change as well...