Indy Car Info: Toyota FT-86

Tuesday

Toyota FT-86

It’s been more than a year since Toyota unveiled the concept version of the FT-86 Coupe at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. During that year, we’ve heard so many reports, rumors, and whispers about the car, that we’re beginning to think that this could very well be the second-coming of Toyota’s iconic Celica line.

We already know that the Toyota FT-86 will come with a Subaru version as a direct result of the collaboration between the two Japanese brands. We’ve also received reports that the FT-86 will come with it’s own factory modified G Sports version. Then there were reports that the Toyota version of the FT-86 will be badged as a Scion.

All these reports have generated major buzz on the sports coupe and we haven’t even talked about it’s release date yet - it’s expected to come out in November of 2011, setting the stage for what promises to be a very busy holiday season for both Toyota and Subaru.

Now, the production version of the FT-86 has yet to be revealed, but the many people that fell in love with the design of the concept version, will be happy to know that, according to Toyota, the production version of the FT-86 will look a whole lot like the concept version with only a few minor modifications to its aerodynamic package.

UPDATE 10/27/2011: With almost two months before its official debut in December at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, the first images of the production version FT-86 have surfaced on the internet. The images, some prints of a Japanese magazine, show a car with a slightly less radical front bumper, headlights, side skirts, and rear bumper. The rest of the FT-86 remains pretty much faithful to the concepts we have seen. (AutoBlog.nl)

UPDATE 10/31/2011: Another leaked document has brought us new details on the production version FT-86. It seems that the model will get a 2.0-liter flat-four with a total output of 197 HP at 7,000 rpm and 150 pound-feet of torque at 6,600 rpm and will weight only 2,667 lbs. The model will be offered in two version: High Specs and Low Specs, with the top version featuring a leather-wrapped steering wheel, LED accent lighting, a six-speaker audio system, sport pedals and 17" wheels. (FT86Club)

UPDATE 11/21/11: Toyota has released a new teaser video of the hotly anticipated FT-86. It really doesn’t show a whole lot, especially from what we’ve already seen. But for those of you that have waited a while to see the car up close, this new promo video is proof that we’re getting closer and closer to its debut.

More details on the Toyota FT-86 after the jump.

Toyota FT-86 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 22 November 2011 16:00 EST.