[ToyobaruBot]

I am very excited about the FT86. Who isn’t? It can quite easily achieve cult status, making it just as important to the aftermarket tuning industry as its legendary predecessor the AE86 has proven to be over the last 25 years. What makes it even more important is the fact that it has been confirmed that the FT86 will come in naturally aspirated and turbo configurations – sending the tuning fraternity giddy with the thought of the endless possibilities associated with this wide scope of tuning potential.


If you cast your mind back to the 80’s you will remember that Toyota offered a supercharged and naturally aspirated version of the 4A-GE ( 4A-GZE for the blown version ), the scope of which allowed hachiroku owners a flexible choice and specification of powerplants to place within the chassis. It was only a matter of time before the 4A-GE became turbocharged as well, offering an even greater range for tuning houses and individuals to tap into.

The FT86 feels like everything a renaissance of this type of creation should be. This car represents a paradigm shift in the thinking and methodology of Toyota and represents something a company like Nissan will be banging their fists on the table over for not having had the ears with which to listen to people when it mattered. ( Watch out for Nissan in the years to come. The Silvia will surely be back. )

Over the last couple of days, I managed to find out a little more about what goes into this tuned version of the FT86 thanks to the helpful people at Toyota and G’s. They even removed the barriers around the car for me as well, helping me to get some shots of it unobstructed.


Okay, so we know it will be a turbocharged boxer 4, co-developed between Toyota and Subaru. There was no real mention of who is pulling more weight when it comes to this engineering but it was inferred that Subaru, with its vast experience in 2 liter turbo charged boxer engines, is saying what is what. That’s not to say that Toyota isn’t sore about it being referred to as a Subaru in any way – “It’s a collaborated joint effort…”, one of the engineers told me.


Crucially, when pressed on whether or not the engine will sport VVT-I, ( A Toyota variation of valve technology ) the engineers said that it will but they aren’t sure what the acronym for it will be yet. Again, this is something in discussion.
I was told to expect around 280PS ( around 275 bhp ) from the engine power wise – no mention was made of what turbo the car will be employing but it would be safe to say again, Subaru is taking care of that with something similar to its current models. We do already know the front bar has enough room t house a front mounted intercooler. The engine will definitely be mated to a 6 speed Toyota transmission with a “standard” clutch. It was conveyed that the clutch will be an outsourced item but no further details were given. The engineers, while polite, were cagey about information and rightfully so but from what I understood, there will be no inline 4 version – with both engine specifications being provided for by a boxer motor.

It was also very clear during the discussion that the turbocharged FT86 is an aftermarket tuners concept – with this package aimed at FT86 owners who want to take the next step up in dynamic and visual performance. I asked about a GR package seeing as the G’s package is for street use and the reply was that it was “being discussed”. Don’t discount the possibility of an even more hardcore version appearing with a TRD or GR badge on the hood.

Aerodynamically, G’s are putting together a catalog of a range of aftermarket parts for the FT86 – including the trunk lip, side skirts, rear wing, and front and rear bumpers not to mention the parts they have lined up for the interior. While still only a concept a couple of years away from production, you can already clearly see the direction Toyota, along with its subsidiaries, are heading, in direct partnership with Subaru.


Suspension wise, when pressed as to whether or not Bilstein will be involved in the making of the dampers, the engineers ventured to say nothing more than that these would also be outsourced parts. What is known however, is that 19 inch front and rear alloys will constrain 245/40 and 275/35 series rubber respectively. Curiously, the car that was displayed was shod with Bridgestone RE-11 rubber where the plaque displaying the limited specifications indicated the older RE-050 rubber. Safe to say the RE-11 is the tire of choice.


The prospects of what this car is capable of achieving in the next 5 to 10 years is staggering to consider when you realize how accessible and efficient turbo technology has become over the last 10 years. On the last day of the TAS, Sunday the 17th, it took out the coveted “Concept car award” at the TAS ,which for all intents and purposes it was a shoe in to win, at any rate.


We’re not far away from production now and 7tune is here to keep you up to date with the latest news related on this ground breaking car.

( As a side note, I found it interesting that Toyota absolutely flooded the white bodied FT86 with light from every angle, making it very difficult to shoot from different positions. )
Photos: Adam Zillin
Text: Adam Zillin


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