Reports out of Japan are now saying that Subaru may drop all-wheel drive from its version of the Toyota FT-86 coupe. Not surprisingly, the reason cited is cost.
Toyota's version of the new coupe is expected to arrive as an entry-level model with an entry-level price. If Subaru wants to keep its version in the same ballpark it's going to have to cut costs somewhere. Unfortunately, this could make the Subaru coupe a near clone of the FT-86 apart from some exterior styling changes. And we know how well that strategy worked for GM.
rsholland says:
12:14 PM, 03/12/10
A big thumbs down from me if true.
stovt001 says:
12:20 PM, 03/12/10
Yes, but the difference is, people won't consider a GM product regardless of its merits. People will sing praises of a Toyota regardless of its flaws.
smudge12 says:
12:35 PM, 03/12/10
Well, with all the negativity surrounding Toyota recently, and all the younger folks who think Subarus are cooler than Toyotas, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Subaru outsells the Toyota version, especially if they're both around the same price. Make the Subaru expensive and you probably lose a bunch of the younger demographic.
bankerdanny says:
12:51 PM, 03/12/10
AWD drive necessary (it would be nice though), but FWD would be a mistake I think. Think last generation Celica and the Hyundai Tiburon, looked like sports carr, but weren't.
inlinesix says:
01:08 PM, 03/12/10
This is supposed to be RWD right? No problem IMO.
"Yes, but the difference is, people won't consider a GM product regardless of its merits. People will sing praises of a Toyota regardless of its flaws."
People will begin to praise GM if they continue to fix their portfolio.
estreka says:
01:27 PM, 03/12/10
Huge mistake.
moparbad says:
01:37 PM, 03/12/10
Non-AWD Subaru is fine. 2WD performance Subaru is not.
Subaru will have to offer FWD at some point in time to keep growing, to meet mileage and emissions, and most importantly to reduce cost and complexity.
ed124c says:
03:24 PM, 03/12/10
I already have an AWD Outback, so a fun RWD Summer car sounds perfect.
As for price, the shared development cost between Toyota and Subaru should help keep it down,
and the coupe configuration should be cheaper than a ragtop (read $19.995 Solstice).
Engine? Anything Subie comes up with is fine with me. I love my 2.5i with 170hp-- in a 3400 lb car. Should be much faster with a sub 3000 lb small coupe. (Hopefully) Although, it is possible that the engine might be smaller-- hopefully a 2.0 turbo.
rsholland says:
03:25 PM, 03/12/10
I disagree Moparbad. It's "AWD or Bust" for Subaru as far as I'm concerned.
cr_driver says:
05:16 PM, 03/12/10
Subaru=AWD
What the heck if this thing is RWD?
brickyards says:
12:40 AM, 03/13/10
Hopefully the Subie clone doesn't loose it's boxer engine either.
alman08 says:
01:39 PM, 03/13/10
how does one loose an engine? you meant if it didn't have the proper engine mounts and the entire engine dropped onto the ground or something?
firstwagon says:
03:01 PM, 03/13/10
Since it's going to be rwd, not fwd I see no problem with 2wd. Lighter, cheaper and simplier is always good.
I'm sure if it gets good reviews then more versions will follow.
moparbad says:
07:34 PM, 03/14/10
FWD is Subaru heritage and FWD will be part of Subaru's future.
Yes, rsholland and others disagree with my view. It will still happen.
jederino says:
08:55 AM, 03/16/10
Subies are converted to RWD for Formula Drift series. If the cost and efficiency improve, RWD is great for performance. And, child hooligans on a budget will love the antics they can perform. But, yes, Subaru has a reputation for bullet-proof AWD drivetrains, so they would lose some of that cache on this model.