Thursday 27th January 2011

New Toyota FT-86 Concept Set For Geneva

Toyota allows us a glimpse of new FT-86 II - an evolution of its rear-drive coupe concept

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Toyota is set to unveil a second evolution of the FT-86 rear-drive coupe concept at the Geneva show in March.

The FT-86 was first unveiled as a concept back in 2009 and, although rumours last summer suggested that the eagerly anticipated coupe could make production by the end of 2011, the new concept will be the first 'official' step closer to revealing the final design for the new Toyota coupe.

Unfortunately we'll all have to wait a bit longer to see properly what the 'FT-86 II' is, as Toyota is following the distinctly irritating fashion of enigmatic teaser photos.

So, aside from the frustrating photo, all Toyota will say for now is that the FT-86 II "builds on the original concept and will give the clearest indication yet of the final design for Toyota's next sports car".

Oh, and that "this new concept embodies the company's reborn passion for sports car driving".

Very nice, but can we see the car now please, Toyota?

 

[D18OCK]

I have been waiting very patiently for this car and am very interested in what their agreed design will actually create.

Just hoping they don't ruin it and stick to the original concept of a sub 20k coupe with 40:60 weight distribution! I think I will be on the waiting list in that case!

[shirt]

a step closer to the final design = looks worse than our first concept, but not as bad as the production version will

[epom]

i just hope its more comfortable than my old 'twin cam'

[hornetrider]

Have to agree - massive anticipation on this one. The original concept was budget and lightweight, with around 160bhp wasn't it? MX5 rival only in coupe form? Would be great to see a circa 200bhp or more variant also.

[louiebaby]

These teaser campaigns only work because news companies let them. However, I understand it's a double edged sword. If Pistonheads decides not to publish this "news" others still will, and market share will be lost.

If every news agency decided to veto them, they'd soon stop, but it won't happen.

[markCSC]

I heard that Subaru are going to launch their version at the show as well.

[Johnpidge]

Just get on with it - teaser bks!!!

[MIP1983]

Maybe if they stopped arsing about with the design (which already looks great, and to all intents and purposes, done) and just got on with putting it into production, then we could be buying these this summer.

[OlberJ]

What, no "old news" post and a link to more pictures? You lot are slipping.

[Andrew[MG]]

I'd like this to be my first brand new car but it would need to be a bit more than 160 bhp I think.

[vintageracer01]

Well, looks like another blend and boaring attempt from Toyota.

[Rusty-C]

vintageracer01 said:

Well, looks like another blend and boaring attempt from Toyota.

Boring? Not sure about that. if they can incorporate their recent technical advances i.e. automatic accelerator pedals, artificial intelligence brakes (with a mind of their own) and self emptying fuel tanks it could be, er, a rather exciting drive.

[RJDM3]

Talk about dragging feet.

[Guvernator]

This is exciting news. I thougt most of the Japanese manufacturers had just given up on the affordable sporting Coupe to chase after boring econobox sales so from having a dearth of them in the 80's and 90's we've then gone over a decade with hardly any.

If Toyata and Subaru are jumping back into the market then this can only be a good thing as it may well prompt other manufacturers to do same, hopefully reviving a much neglected segment of the market. I just hope they produce one with a decent engine in it though, 160bhp won't really cut it in this day and age.

[kambites]

Guvernator said:

I just hope they produce one with a decent engine in it though, 160bhp won't really cut it in this day and age.

Surely 160bhp now is exactly the same as 160bhp was 20 years ago? It certainly seems to be plenty in my car. The question to my mind, is can they keep the weight down? I think 160bhp and around a tonne would be plenty to have fun.

Edited by kambites on Thursday 27th January 10:52

[hornetrider]

OlberJ said:

What, no "old news" post and a link to more pictures? You lot are slipping.

Errrr - did you miss the blindingly obvious clickable links in the news article?

[briSk]

Johnpidge said:

Just get on with it - teaser bks!!!

quite a gree. i am sooooo effing bored of cars with sheets draped over them.

this car is the only remotely interesting 'normal' car since about 2005. it better not be too dull or else i really will have become disenfranchised!

[Guvernator]

kambites said:

Guvernator said:

I just hope they produce one with a decent engine in it though, 160bhp won't really cut it in this day and age.

Surely 160bhp now is exactly the same as 160bhp was 20 years ago? It certainly seems to be plenty in my car. The question to my mind, is can they keep the weight down? I think 160bhp and around a tonne would be plenty to have fun.

Edited by kambites on Thursday 27th January 10:52

I doubt any modern car with all the safety crap which HAS to be included these days could get anywhere near that weight, even Lotus who were the kings of lightweight don't seem to be able to manage it anymore. I'd be very pleasantly surprised if it was lighter than 1300kgs.

[kambites]

Guvernator said:

I doubt any modern car with all the safety crap which HAS to be included these days could get anywhere near that weight, even Lotus who were the kings of lightweight don't seem to be able to manage it anymore. I'd be very pleasantly surprised if it was lighter than 1300kgs.

Most of the weight doesn't come from things which have to be included, just from thing that NCAP have told people that they want. You're probably right though, and 1300kg and 160bhp would be a bit pathetic if that's the only model.

[briSk]

Gaz. said:

I can't see it being sub £20k. The last Celica was around that figure before it was withdrawn from sale & the pound has tanked since then.

me neither.
unfortunately i think we're looking at something like £25k at least.
they'll get it in below the 370z but that'll be that.
although having said that because i don;t want my dad to look at freelanders i looked into the rav4 (a little bit) and they really a a good amount of 'car' for the money so perhaps they'll achieve similar things with this. a sort of 'value hero car'.
BUT if it uses a lot of impreza based bit's but is better. and the impreza is in the £20ks...how can the toyobaru possibly be anything other than '£23,995' at the cheapest?