Update: Inside Line contacted Greg Thome, communications manager for the Toyota division in the U.S. He characterized the below report as "total speculation."
"We have no further information to offer on the car beyond the fact that it's a concept vehicle," he said.
Late 2011 is usually the time frame you hear for the production version of the Toyota FT-86. But now a report apparently plucked from the Japanese car magazine Best Car suggests we could be waiting until 2013.
One reason cited is the slowness of the worldwide economic recovery -- and the accompanying poor sales in the sports car segment. The other possibility floated is the idea that Toyota executives like some of things they see on the Honda CR-Z and want to take a crack at doing a hybrid FT-86.
Apparently, we might see the next progression of the Toyota FT-86 at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show. We're not sure what this means for the Subaru half of the FT-86 project, but more than likely, we won't be seeing it anytime soon.
moreau says:
02:11 PM, 05/26/10
NO NO NO NO NO! They LIKE some of the things they see on the CR-Z? Even if that is baseless assumption, NO NO NO NO NO! USELESS two seater or 2+2 hybrids are not needed in the world if they are neither particularly fast or particularly fuel efficient, and most definitely not welcomed in a relatively inexpensive sports coupe. The chances of doing a cheap hybrid sports car that actually functions as a sports car without concessions made for hybridness are extremely low due to the additional weight and expense of hybrid drive train components (and since it is supposed to be cheap, high power density options are out of the question). You already have the hybrid market Toyota, you don't need to convince anyone that you can make them fun...ish. Okay, emotional reaction out of the way...
Fortunately, it is highly unlikely. Toyota doesn't have a RWD hybrid powertrain option, and is unlikely to develop one just for the FT-86. Subaru's AWD system is also not adaptable for transverse engine mounting, so hackjobs are unlikely (keep the planned boxer please).
billt9 says:
02:43 PM, 05/26/10
So the budget will spin out of control due to the extended development costs, and they end up with a product like the LF-A which is unprofitable?
carlisimo says:
02:47 PM, 05/26/10
I'm beginning to think this was all a pipe dream...
kscbruin says:
04:05 PM, 05/26/10
moreau: they do have a RWD hybrid powertrain.. just doesn't make sense to put in a FT-86.
GS450h and LS600Lh.
I agree though.. I sure hope they don't take ANYTHING from CR-Z. Keep the FT-86 like the concept and just make it already! :)
ed124c says:
04:38 PM, 05/26/10
If the development is almost done, why not put the car into production? In this economy potential car buyers need all kinds of incentives to jump in. What better incentive than a reasonably priced, sexy looking sport coupe?
And moreau is right. PLEASE! NO HONDA "THINGS" ON THE FT-86.
thejohnp says:
04:59 PM, 05/26/10
I'm guessing with all Toyota has been through of late, they're wanting to keep this off the table until things cool down and they start getting their rep back. And with their stake in Subaru's parent company, we won't see their version until Toyota comes out first (i.e. Fiesta and Mazda2).
subytrojan says:
05:26 PM, 05/26/10
Nooooo!
ne1butu2 says:
07:04 PM, 05/26/10
Who cares? Toyota is dead to me.
estreka says:
07:10 PM, 05/26/10
Sell the design to Mazda and introduce this as the next RX-8. Or bring back the MX-6! Even with the badge, this doesn't look like a Toyota at all.
stovt001 says:
07:42 PM, 05/26/10
Toyota really has committed itself to self-destruction and being like the old GM in every way. This is spectacular.
jonthecarguy says:
07:42 PM, 05/26/10
Please Toyota, don't take anything from the frumpy looking CRZ!
ninjin says:
08:35 PM, 05/26/10
"He characterized the below report as 'total speculation'."
pfft.
More like totally accurate speculation.
The total lack of information or enthusiasm from Toyota about this project is disheartening.
jmaroun says:
10:23 PM, 05/26/10
Very Supra'esque
Nice overall shape and lines.
lostboyz says:
04:03 AM, 05/27/10
@jmaroun
have you ever seen a supra?
I'm glad I didn't wait to buy this car,
kjgood says:
05:22 AM, 05/27/10
It's just incredible how a car company that conquered the world, before the dual meltdowns of the economy and runaway acceleration, could show how stupid and/or timid they have become. Emulating a competitor's car that hasn't even been sold to anyone yet, and for which the critical assessments have not been universally positive (most here seem to regard the CR-Z as a turkey)? I have to agree with thejohnp in speculating that this is at least in part a cover story, since introducing a significant new model right after Toyota poisoned their own pond may be something they are too gutless to try. Too bad. It looked like about the only model they offer with any enthusiast appeal. I won't hold my breath for this one to appear.
kjgood says:
05:23 AM, 05/27/10
It's just incredible how a car company that conquered the world, before the dual meltdowns of the economy and runaway acceleration, could show how stupid and/or timid they have become. Emulating a competitor's car that hasn't even been sold to anyone yet, and for which the critical assessments have not been universally positive (most here seem to regard the CR-Z as a turkey)? I have to agree with thejohnp in speculating that this is at least in part a cover story, since introducing a significant new model right after Toyota poisoned their own pond may be something they are too gutless to try. Too bad. It looked like about the only model they offer with any enthusiast appeal. I won't hold my breath for this one to appear.
lzks says:
05:27 AM, 05/27/10
@moreau I completely agree with you, but you can't blame the makers. Blame the stupid market. Dumbass Americans think the damned hybrid's the best thing that's happened to mother earth. While, things like hydrogen fuel-cell Honda FCX is prolly the best thing. We really gotta start educating the monkeys.
dougtheeng says:
06:45 AM, 05/27/10
As if no one saw this coming. Did you think for a moment the car we all want would actually built? Thats not how the world works.
piredon says:
07:03 AM, 05/27/10
Toyota doesn't get it. They have exactly zero even mildly sporting cars in their lineup. Nothing. You want a transportation appliance? Got plenty of those. Want something to get your heart racing? We actually have 1 Lexus model that you might actually be able to buy that does that. It starts at $35,000, with a 200hp v6. Oh, you want actually fast? That'll be $40k for the IS 350. Do we have anything else that would appeal to an enthusiast? No. Anything at all to an enthusiast on a budget? Not even remotely close.
let's run down some under $30k cars that might interest the auto enthusiast: GM recently introduced the new Camaro, Ford has had the Mustang forever, Mazda has the Miata, Nissan the 370Z, Subaru can give you a WRX, and this next part is just fantastic: Hyundai?!?! has the Genesis coupe. Honda has nothing now that they have killed the S2000, this CR-Z thing is a kind of a joke. But Honda is not the largest automaker in the entire world. That would be Toyota. And they do nothing to appeal to those of us who actually like driving.
Then, finally, a small light at the end of the tunnel! A rear drive, 2 door car with sporty intentions! But wait, the economy isn't strong enough yet! So let's push it off indefinitely.
I hate Toyota.
koa1 says:
05:02 PM, 05/27/10
I also used to love Toyota. When my dad killed his Volkswagen and brought home a Supra in 1984 I was the happiest kid on the block! It was such a good looking car. And then a few years later my friends dad got a Supra Turbo, which my friend then took on a joyride at night and crashed into a house while trying to run from the police. Dang that was an awesome car! Then Toyota forgot who they were and watered everything down. I used to LOVE Toyota, now I HATE TOYOTA!