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Indecision regarding drivetrain engineering and domestic economic issues (especially with suppliers) are the primary reasons why Toyota’s FT-86 sportscar won’t enter the market as soon as was originally expected.
Originally due to go on sale in 2011 (after debuting as a stunning show car at Tokyo last year), the FT-86 will now only be ready by 2013.
The rear-wheel drive coupe (seen as a spiritual successor to the Celica nameplate) is being developed in cooperation with Subaru.
Thus far the FT-86 project has been beset with issues as Toyota pontificates about the direction it should take with regards to the car’s powertrain. Currently the FT-86 is powered by a Subaru flat-four.
Whilst the Subaru engine provides the requisite performance (and aids dynamics by lowering the car's centre of gravity) it yields an emissions penalty.
Toyota is now waiting to gauge market reaction to Honda’s CR-Z hybrid before making a final decision whether to convert the FT-86 to a hybrid configuration or spent the money cleaning up the Subaru flat-four instead.
Originally due to go on sale in 2011 (after debuting as a stunning show car at Tokyo last year), the FT-86 will now only be ready by 2013.
The rear-wheel drive coupe (seen as a spiritual successor to the Celica nameplate) is being developed in cooperation with Subaru.
Thus far the FT-86 project has been beset with issues as Toyota pontificates about the direction it should take with regards to the car’s powertrain. Currently the FT-86 is powered by a Subaru flat-four.
Whilst the Subaru engine provides the requisite performance (and aids dynamics by lowering the car's centre of gravity) it yields an emissions penalty.
Toyota is now waiting to gauge market reaction to Honda’s CR-Z hybrid before making a final decision whether to convert the FT-86 to a hybrid configuration or spent the money cleaning up the Subaru flat-four instead.
