Toyota FT-86

[ebxr8240]

The new drift car... Just add a turbo...

[Chopped]

It's nice looking and Toyota need something sporty with a Toyota badge on it. (not Lexus)
I reckon they have missed sales by not doing a sportswagon version though.

[dimka100]

You right, outright power is not important ... but a decent amount of torque delivered in a flat and predictable fashion is required in order to dance the car's chassis ... this is why turbo engines have become so popular, the flat torque curve 2000 - 5000 rpm allows you to extract everything out of a chassis ... the Toyota however failed at that and its going to suffer the same issue that most VTEC Honda had ... i.e. not sufficient torque.

As for modifications ... unless its all dress up forget it ... such a high tech high compression engine will never support any real mods (i.e. turbo) ... especially in the days of complicated computers and most likely a fully restricted Toyota ECU.

And lastly, I'm not sure about you but I certainly do not want to be blown away of the lights by a taxi ... sure a sports car does not need superb straight line speed. But it should at least a bit faster than regular run about cars ... and in this case most V6 or low boost turbo owners will laugh at you while they overtake you as for track work, you will be seeing the same as most people overtake on the straights while they block you in the corners ...

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Too many people concentrate on outright horsepower...a sweet chassis and good handling behavior is, in the real world, far more important. This is what people never understood about a lot of classic sports cars and why they are held in such high regard...it isn't the power of the engine, it's the way it goes around corners and gives you an enjoyable driving experience.

i think the giveaway is the sentence "It carries on the spirit of the AE86 Corolla in its aim to be a car that evolves with its owner"...obviously meaning there will be performance upgrades available or that being so "basic" in the first place that you have plenty of scope to modify later on.

[irish2]

Well the corrolla sportivo had 141kw and 180nm at similar revvs. It also does not weigh much more than this FT-86. I can't see it being a ball tearer.

[Bossxr8]

It would have been good if they keep it close to the prototype, but then they put their cardigans on and ruined it.

And to claim its the worlds only boxer engined rear wheel drive car is a huge fail. Haven't they heard of the 911 in Japan.

They should have added front engined to that statement.

[2011G6E]

Hmm...147kw...that's only a bit less than the last of the 351 Clevelands had back in the '80's...

I guess that a lot of blokes of a "certain age" (but them I'm only 46...) find that 200hp from a four cylinder is perfectly adequate for anything but track days...

[Chilliman]

I guess some people will never get what this car is all about. A mate of mine had an AE86 around the same time I had my modified EF XR6. Sure I would leave him in my dust for outright acceleration but man that 8-6 was fun in the twisties.

People bemoaning lack of torque and pointing to the low peak number have missed out on the all important spread of torque - which is where the 12.5:1 compression ratio comes in. While that 205Nm is at a lofty 6,600rpm; most of it is available lower in the rev range and when combined with the low 1200kg kerb weight, it ensures that progress is more than adequate.

And yes, the 86 is a tuners dream with the ECU fully 'unlocked' from the factory - must be a first for Toyota!!!

[Bossxr8]

Is it pronounced eight six, not eighty six.

[THE SLUG]

That looks like the Toyota version of the Lexus LFA...

[bootlegapparel]

The Scion FR-S have been released as well which is the American version. Not sure which version Australia would get, but I'm guessing it'd be a combination of the Euro GT 86 and the US FR-S.

The interior is looking pretty hideous though:

[Rev28K]

Hmm.

Toyota saying that the interior was designed to accommodate a rollcage without too much drama and space in the back to carry 4 wheels with race rubber and a toolkit.

Tweeted rumours of a supercharged version to be introduced later on, also that the only way to get better handling is to step up to a Porsche Cayman (yes, they said that it was better than a Nissan 370Z).

Internet rumours that the engine mounts are identical to the WRX STi engine mounts.

Fridays CarGuide reckons on a low $30’s Aus price and Subaru aren’t going to challenge it wait a N/A version at that price.

If they can keep the low 30k price then I reckon that these will really walk out the door.

(Rumours of the new Mazda Miata sounds good too)

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by Chilliman

I guess some people will never get what this car is all about. A mate of mine had an AE86 around the same time I had my modified EF XR6. Sure I would leave him in my dust for outright acceleration but man that 8-6 was fun in the twisties.

People bemoaning lack of torque and pointing to the low peak number have missed out on the all important spread of torque - which is where the 12.5:1 compression ratio comes in. While that 205Nm is at a lofty 6,600rpm; most of it is available lower in the rev range and when combined with the low 1200kg kerb weight, it ensures that progress is more than adequate.

And yes, the 86 is a tuners dream with the ECU fully 'unlocked' from the factory - must be a first for Toyota!!!

Thank you...someone who gets what it's all about!
My 1982 Celica was the top of the range sports model in the Toyota range, yet what did they lumber it with in Australia? The 70hp 21RC "California Spec" two liter carby engine. The handling, however, is amazing, the styling is sharp, and makes you forget the engine doesn't put out shattering horsepower because it's just so nice to drive.

Sometimes it ain't all about big numbers, and in a world like we live in where, honestly, the vast...staggeringly vast...majority of people never go to track days or even worry about 0-100 or quarter mile times, and spend thier lives driving on the congested and camera-infested roads, a car like this with fantastic looks, great handling and perfectly adequate power, will sell like hot cakes if they price it sharply.

[Rev28K]

From Autocar



Hot Toyota GT 86 planned
02 December 2011

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Toyota is already hard at work evaluating a high performance version of the new Toyota GT 86 sporting coupe. Chief engineer Tetsuo Tada says that not only is a supercharged GT 86 envisaged, test cars have already been made and are being evaluated by Toyota Racing Developments, the Japanese giant’s in house tuning division.
Tada-san favours the supercharger approach because it is simpler to achieve than increasing engine size and doesn’t wreck throttle response as turbocharging might. Indeed Toyota says that turbocharging along with four-wheel drive and wide tyres are what make sports cars boring to drive.
See our rendering of the hot Toyota GT 86
Supercharging is also a key competence for TRD which has been offering this kind of forced induction as an aftermarket kit for Toyotas since 1998. He would not be drawn on what kind of power a supercharged GT 86 might develop but Toyota is known to consider the car’s chassis could easily handle an additional 50bhp to go with the 197bhp already generated by its Subaru 2-litre flat four motor, a view with which, having driven the car, we wholly concur. However he says the TRD is also looking at ways of modifying the suspension to cope with the extra power, raising the possibility of a still more substantial power hike.
Read more about the Toyota GT 86
TRD’s most popular supercharger conversion is applied to the American market Tacoma pick up, boosting its 4-litre V6 engine from 233bhp to 301bhp suggesting that a 280bhp GT 86 with, critically, a massive boost in the low down torque the car currently lacks would be easily achieved. Even in the unlikely event that all the modifications added 100kg to the weight of the car, its power to weight ratio would still at least equal that of the 326bhp Nissan 370Z, a car capable of hitting 62mph from rest in 5.3sec and recording a top speed of 155mph. The standard GT 86 needs around 6.8sec and does 143mph. It is not yet known whether, if approved, the supercharged GT 86 would be offered as an aftermarket pack or as a model in its own right.
Tada also confirmed that it was so important to his team that even the standard GT 86 drifted properly that special tests were incorporated into the car’s development programme specifically for this purpose, ‘the first time this has ever been done on any Toyota.’

[Nikked]

I don't see anything wrong with that interiror, miles ahead of what other toyota interiors are.

[2011G6E]

The original AE86 was available in all levels of spec from basic spec with ordinary 4AFE motor and auto, right up to the Sprinter spec with the excellent 4AGE and five speed. The thing is, they all shared the same chassis, so even if you plumped for the cooking model base version, you still got the sweet handling beautifully balanced car that those who spent more money on the Sprinter, it just didn't go as hard but was still a great drive and looked good.

[Nikked]

The original AE86 was never a rocketship either, so any complaints about power are redundant...plus there is the "factory unlocked ecu"...

Really, what else is there for the same price with RWD? 370Z? The toyota (scion and subi) is going to under cut it, right...?

[Ben73]

I like it. Whack a turbo in it and it will be even better.

Apparently 0-100 in 6.8 seconds. That is not bad honestly. Few mods and it will be great.

[Bossxr8]

Chief engineer for the project has said fitting a turbo is too hard, not enough room to make it fit, so no factory turbo version.

I'm sure aftermarket will take a look at it.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Ben73

I like it. Whack a Gen3 in it and it will be even better.

.

Fixed lol

[not happy]

good article on this car in Sydney Daily Telegraph Cars Guide on Friday 2nd Dec.My 15yo daughter thinks it very cool and says I should buy 1 .Yes it has the Subaru Boxer motor and the price I think will be mid 30's if they stay with normal aspirated.No reason they can't put a turbo charger also on upgrade model

[SteveJH]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Chief engineer for the project has said fitting a turbo is too hard, not enough room to make it fit, so no factory turbo version.

I'm sure aftermarket will take a look at it.

So how are Subaru getting 200kw out of their expected STi version?

[Poetic Justice]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Chief engineer for the project has said fitting a turbo is too hard, not enough room to make it fit, so no factory turbo version.

I'm sure aftermarket will take a look at it.

I believe I read in the carsguide on Friday that the chief engineer has said it can take a supercharger.

That, and they'd prefer to SC because it doesn't have that big surge of power like a turbo does.

[not happy]

hi - I just read the article again-nothing about a supercharger or turbo ex factory that I could see.147kw/205nm torque.,It did say the turbo maniacs will up the tune-so I guess that means there will be an aftermarket in turbo's IF? there is enough space

[2011G6E]

147kw or 200hp...more than a standard 351 V8 or Holden V8 of a generation ago, and 6.8 seconds to 100kph...a figure that wouldn't have shamed something like a 911 Porsche of a similar era...and we're whinging that it's "not enough".

Have people become so used to big numbers that nowadays that's just about all people worry about? Do some people first look at horsepower and 0-100, and maybe some day down the line worry about handling and a sweet chassis with good road manners? Or has that gone out the line and we are creeping back to the bad old days of huge power and so-so handling?

I think Toyota has gone very "Old English Sports Car" on the FT86...a car that looks great, handles well, is fun to drive...but certainly no fireball under the hood, a least by V8 standards...but then again, it isn't a V8 or highly-strung peaky turbo car, is it?

[Nikked]

I can see SEMA next year being flooded with BRZ's GT86's and FR-S's

[SteveJH]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Have people become so used to big numbers that nowadays that's just about all people worry about? Do some people first look at horsepower and 0-100, and maybe some day down the line worry about handling and a sweet chassis with good road manners? Or has that gone out the line and we are creeping back to the bad old days of huge power and so-so handling?

If I bought an SS Commodore or XR6 Turbo (and its a distinct possibility within the next 12 months), if I were to make the decision to modify the car, adding more power would probably be the last thing on my mind.

The thing to remember though, is that with these cars adding more power is probably the cheapest and easiest way to get "performance".

A flash tune with X3 will set you back $1500?

A set of four (or five if you include a spare) lightweight 18" rims will set you back anywhere from $1000-5000 (or more).

A brake upgrade could go anywhere from $2000 to $20,000 depending on how extreme you want to go.

Suspension lets say $1000-$10,000.

Tire.....well...you get the picture....

[not happy]

i have a 2004 SS and just had it dyno tuned at Envy Brookvale Sydney,cost $1600 with new plugs, leads n K&N filter and the auto shift was tightened up.Much smoother drive,the power just keeps coming on through the corners,no bogging down like b4.Has enough power for me.I am running Michelin Sports P3 tyres 225 x 40 X 18 -very happy with them,much better than the Federals I had b4,more predictable in the wet

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by SteveJH

So how are Subaru getting 200kw out of their expected STi version?

They're not, there is no turbo STi version.

As has been mentioned they may do a supercharged version, but it may just be a TRD aftermarket addition, and not factory.

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

147kw or 200hp...more than a standard 351 V8 or Holden V8 of a generation ago, and 6.8 seconds to 100kph...a figure that wouldn't have shamed something like a 911 Porsche of a similar era...and we're whinging that it's "not enough".

Have people become so used to big numbers that nowadays that's just about all people worry about? Do some people first look at horsepower and 0-100, and maybe some day down the line worry about handling and a sweet chassis with good road manners? Or has that gone out the line and we are creeping back to the bad old days of huge power and so-so handling?

I think Toyota has gone very "Old English Sports Car" on the FT86...a car that looks great, handles well, is fun to drive...but certainly no fireball under the hood, a least by V8 standards...but then again, it isn't a V8 or highly-strung peaky turbo car, is it?

But by todays standards its pretty weak, when you consider what hot hatches have these days. And they are far from highly strung these days, most of them produce peak torque at 2000 rpm or less.

Its really the torque figure thats the problem, 200 nm is less than your average shopping trolley these days.

And I'd still think something like a RenaultSport Clio or Megane could match its handling and lap speeds, if not beat them, Focus ST when its released would give it a good run too, for a similar price, depending on what they sell it for. And journos rave about how balanced the RenaultSport cars are, not that I would ever buy one but they are supposed to be a good bit of gear.

A supercharged 86 with around 200kw would be a hoot.

[Nikked]

At least P-platers will be able to get themselves a brand new RWD coupe...

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Nikked

At least P-platers will be able to get themselves a brand new RWD coupe...

That they can drive into the nearest power pole no doubt, being wannabe drift kings. Fully hecktic.