Sheep in Wolf's Clothing? aka FT-86 in Supra.

[West]

Yup, I said it. What do you suppose this is? Sorry I have been to busy to post! Been sitting on it for awhile.

Hello all, this one's a little different...On the Gazoo Racing day out at Fuji Speedway on Friday, a number of us remarked on a fleet of six Supra JZA80s driving down the main straight while we were tucking into our bento lunches.

The cars were all conspicuously old and very worn looking, at least on the surface - each appearing to have covered an extraordinary amount of mileage - I'm talking a million klicks-type of levels here. The cars were obviously well-used test mules. But what were they being used for (at least on this occasion....).

As well as all machines running identical (and obviously totally up-to-date) wheel/tyre packages, they conspicuously had their fuel filler caps removed - I suppose for convenience. Hmmm.

But just as quickly as they had appeared, they were gone. It was only an hour or so later that I spotted them again, this time running once more in perfect formation (the gap between each car exactly three lengths as they plodded round) on one of the testing areas at the lower end of the sprawling facility.

All cars had full roll cages and a complete complement of safety devices. Just by chance I later spotted one of them up in the paddock and took these few snaps. As well as the other obvious 'mule' traits, there was this multitude of transponders and sensors in the rear hatch of this lone example. My interest was piqued!

While they are not overtly interesting until one considers what the cars might be getting used for: test mules for the FT86 concept is what one learned scribe opined - and I think he might be right! That's not just patina on the door folks - I rubbed and scrubbed, and it's deeper than the surface - who knows what these cars have been through. (And what great things they're developing in our midst....)

One can never be too sure of course (anyone I asked was ultra tight-lipped), but it's nice to imagine what they might be up to. FT86 development tests sounds most interesting...what do you think?

- Len Clarke

Source: http://ll.speedhunters.com/u/f/eagam...5_2%20copy.jpg

[ProZach626]

I'm confused... and maybe I don't know enough about the car testing process.

Is the article basically saying that these supras may be outfitted with FT-86 parts?

[Cal]

^Yeap the article is throwing out that "what if" possibility based on th fact the supra is a long since done car so why the test mules.

[ej25ti]

No, it was obviously the return of the ESDC... Elite Supra Driving Crew!
jk lol, id stillll take one of those any day of the week!


i think this is a def possibility for a test mule, so i concur

[bersh]

soo.. do they have boxers in them or what?
i dont get what it has to do with the ft86...
its just some supras drivin around a race track.

[Toyoriffic]

With FT-86 parts (drivetrain parts mostly I would think)these mules are starting serious testing of FT-86 engines/transmissions. That's probably what's goin' on.

[West]

IIRC Wheelbase is 2" longer on the FT-86, so itd have to be pushed back if so. Either way, Id think the FT-86 wouldn't be disguised.

[SUPRAtruc2JZGE]

Ummm odd... test it on Supra with FT86 stuff on it. But...wha about the weights of the beast.

On JGTC, Most Supras have 3SGTE and gutted. I must says its gone fast as hell and very crazy fast. Putting up the Boxer engine on Supra, can be possible improves as same as 3SGTE and gutted.

This is pretty-well thoughts thread. Would love to hear more about this test.

[Terrari]

To me, the engine looks to be covered by parts to make it look like the 4 cylinder Camry engine or a V6. By zooming in you see there is no block on the left side of the car. I would guess that this mule if for the FT-86 engine installed as a mid engine, probably for the new MR2.

[DownhillMR2]

What they're saying is that it's an FT86 with a Supra shell on top of it. You know how the Camaro was in the Transformers movies? Well, it wasn't a Camaro. It was a GTO with a Camaro body shell on it.

[ej25ti]

To me, the engine looks to be covered by parts to make it look like the 4 cylinder Camry engine or a V6. By zooming in you see there is no block on the left side of the car. I would guess that this mule if for the FT-86 engine installed as a mid engine, probably for the new MR2.

wait where did u see the engine? im lost

[Terrari]

After closer examination, I think what I was identifying as a hidden engine is the bare steel floor of the Supra. I'm a MR2 owner and look for hints of the next MR2, sometimes seeing more than is there.

wait where did u see the engine? im lost