Breaking: Toyota FT-86 is Unchanged and On Time for 2011 Arrival!!

[West]

Good news FT-86 fans. I was invited as one of the only foreign journalists to attend a press day on Wednesday where the JDM only Noah and Voxy Minivans were being showcased by G’s, the sports vehicle oriented arm of Toyota Japan. The FT-86 though, didn’t take long to come up in the conversation…

Most importantly, Toyota held the strictly invite only event not only to show off the G’s upgrades to their people movers but also to offer access to some of Toyota’s innermost engineers and sports department managers.

This presented an ideal opportunity to discuss Toyota’s involvement in the current market and inevitably, questions regarding the FT86 surfaced quickly.

A private 20 minute question and answer session I had with Dr. Shigeyuki Hori, Project General Manager for the Sports Vehicle Management division and Kazuo Okino, Group manager for the same division uncovered a number of promising pieces of news.

I can confirm that the cars development is on schedule and that the reports for the cars release in 2013 are erroneous. Toyota reiterated its intent to release the car by the previously appointed date, in November 2011. I can also confirm that the car is approximately 50% complete with the target price remaining steady for the mid level spec FT-86 at approximately 2.5 million yen ( approx. $29,000 USD ). One can only speculate at the moment what the base grade spec and price will be and no mention was made of the price for the top spec model but one can be led to guess this will involve a turbocharged motor.

While on the subject of turbocharging, Hori san and Okino san both confirmed that discussions were still being held and nothing had been decided yet. Both were hesitant to provide any confirmation on the radical Gazoo Racing model that wowed the world at last years Tokyo Auto Salon. It needs to be remembered that G’s is ostensibly a street car oriented arm of Toyota and as such the cars will be basically stock power wise with most of the modifications coming in the way of aesthetic changes and suspension, chassis and brake upgrades.

But take heart – the Voxy and Noah concepts at Wednesdays conference appeared in almost exactly the same configuration as the cars that were displayed at the TAS last year. This bodes well for the FT-86.

Another interesting fact about the cars development is that it will remain virtually unchanged, design wise. Okino san was clear in his remarks when he said that the FT86 will only be modified in regards to its aesthetic parts, namely items relating to the body but the overall shape will not change.
One last piece of news that is sure to bring some relief, was the comment made that a hybrid version was not being considered for the FT86. Hybrid technology is indeed being considered for the sport car segment but in another form of car. This car is most likely to be the new Toyota Hybrid sports concept.
Later in the day, the Chief Officer for Toyota’s Motor Sports Division, Tadashi Yamashina, held an exclusive round table conference for the assembled journalists of which 7tune was privy to.

One of the journalists at the conference reminded Yamashina san that there is a very high level of anxiety amongst the public over the FT-86, to which Mr Yamashina replied categorically that the cars development was on schedule and that because of Toyota’s connection with Subaru, there was no way that the car wasn’t going to be great. Read from that what you will but it is clear that Toyota is holding this hand very very close to its chest and is intent on releasing news and coverage on the car when it feels the time is right.

Who can blame them really? This is one of the most anticipated cars to come from Japan in over a decade, so Toyota and its members are quite within their right to be guarded with information.

I was very encouraged by the positive signals coming from within the organization and the general tone appears to be one of positivity in the changes taking place.

I would like to personally extend my thanks to the Corporate Communications Department personnel, and Toyota as a whole, for offering 7tune the opportunity to be a part of this important conference.

Words – Adam Zillin
Photos – Toyota

Source: News Scoop – FT-86 is on time : 7Tune.com

[RJF]

That's good news!

[ProZach626]

Everything sounds great! Except... is anyone else kind of bummed about the 29k price tag? I was under the impression that this car was going to be mid 20's? I don't think there is going to be anyway I'll be able to aford one of these things. fml.

[West]

Yea, 29k is WAY overpriced. That's going to be a deal breaker for many if it comes in at 29k base. From the form we see today there isn't enough innovative parts to warrant that price. The FT-86 isn't something to compete with the Z, and at that price; it won't.

[lookitschloe]

YAY!!!!!!!!!! *adjusts budget goals to reflect 2011 release*

I want to be FIRST to get one.

It says $29k for mid-level one, so mid-$20s for base level?

[Cal]

I would hope the price and models would be kind of similar to what Hyundai has done with the genesis.

[HyperFX]

Very excited about the news, but disappointed by the sticker shock! 30,000 is going into the Z territory as West pointed out. If that's the case, it better have a Toyota Camry V6 engine.

[Jason]

Very excited about the news, but disappointed by the sticker shock! 30,000 is going into the Z territory as West pointed out. If that's the case, it better have a Toyota Camry V6 engine.

Please say you are joking. The basis of this car is lightweight and toss-able, and the use of the Subaru flat 4 has got to been among the best attributes of this car.

I agree however that this car is rather pure as implemented. At least from what we know of it, so why the high price? We can get more car for 29k.

The flat 4 begs to be turbo'd and I sure hope Toyota brings that option upon initial release. No G's crap, just a turbo'd FT-86, ill provide the modifications thank you very much.

[Boostaholic]

Yea, 29k is WAY overpriced. That's going to be a deal breaker for many if it comes in at 29k base. From the form we see today there isn't enough innovative parts to warrant that price. The FT-86 isn't something to compete with the Z, and at that price; it won't.

Please let the 29K be for the turbo version!

GIVE ME BOOST DAMNIT!

[ej25ti]

turbo flat 4 > camry v6

good news though

[Nemesis]

I've been holding my breath along time, finally some news. It's like getting blood from a turnip with toyota. Great news!!

[FT-Omnom]

Crap, now I need to save even more. Finally some good news, from the usual flakey source too. Way to go 7Tune!

[Cal]

I wonder if this means the 216a will be in the $35K range.

[ra23celica]

As always, great info West - thank you.

[Aki Just Aki]

29k..

T.T

[Exitspeed]

Yes it says $29k for the mid range. I was personally hoping the car would top out in that range. Sounds to me the car is going to compete more with the Genesis. It'll probably start out at $25 for a base. Maybe they'll do something like Hyundai did and release a stripped version, but have Bremebos, and LSD.

I'm still game fore $25k.

Depending on performance, I might still be in at $29. But it's far from the demographic I think they should be aiming at.

[Cal]

Yes it says $29k for the mid range. I was personally hoping the car would top out in that range. Sounds to me the car is going to compete more with the Genesis. It'll probably start out at $25 for a base. Maybe they'll do something like Hyundai did and release a stripped version, but have Bremebos, and LSD.

I'm still game fore $25k.

Depending on performance, I might still be in at $29. But it's far from the demographic I think they should be aiming at.

I was trying to make this point but could not find the words. This reminds me a bit of the genesis with its's pricing. If Mazda relases the RX-9 and Nissan releases the S-chassis replacement() then I can see them being priced liked this.

As I mentioned before I think this means the Suby will mid range around 27 and top out around 32. If it is still supposed to more expensive than the Toyota.

[Nellen]

Guys, the price of a car is not the same everywhere, and 29k is a conversion of the price in Japan. I don't really know the prices in Japan, but it's possible that it will be like 20-25k in US

I'm in Switzerland, and i'd love it would be 29k xD
But i know it will be like 50-60k for the top model. As i said, price is not the same everywhere

[Exitspeed]

I was trying to make this point but could not find the words. This reminds me a bit of the genesis with its's pricing. If Mazda relases the RX-9 and Nissan releases the S-chassis replacement() then I can see them being priced liked this.

As I mentioned before I think this means the Suby will mid range around 27 and top out around 32. If it is still supposed to more expensive than the Toyota.

I'm thinking the Suby version is going to START at $29k with most sales being in the mid $30k range. More of a competition to the G37X Coupe if you will.

Guys, the price of a car is not the same everywhere, and 29k is a conversion of the price in Japan. I don't really know the prices in Japan, but it's possible that it will be like 20-25k in US

I'm in Switzerland, and i'd love it would be 29k xD
But i know it will be like 50-60k for the top model. As i said, price is not the same everywhere

This is true, when Nissan announced the Japanese price for the leaf and the intenets went haywire that it was too much. It ended up being just what everyone thought when they announced the actual price.

[ej25ti]

If it's an STi version for the scooby, i would say mid $30s for sure

[HyperFX]

^^>>I wouldn't mind paying 30,000+ USD for a Subaru 216A because of its turbocharged and AWD attributes.

[ProZach626]

The 29k price tag does carry with it some hope. It has to be turbo charged if it's anything over 25k, IMO. Otherwise, a NA 4 cylinder 25k+ car would get laughed off the showroom floor.

[marik]

there are people that would be 25+k for a NA car. People paid 35K for some mugen civics

[ej25ti]

there are people that would be 25+k for a NA car. People paid 35K for some mugen civics

LOL @ $35k 15 second sports cars

[HyperFX]

...if the thought of a flat 4 cylinder engine crosses Toyotas mind, please have the power output of at least 200+ hp like the reliable & strong internaled Honda S2000.

[ej25ti]

because of the compression though, s2000s arent always the best for boooost =/
more potential with like a 2.5L

[ProZach626]

there are people that would be 25+k for a NA car. People paid 35K for some mugen civics

You're probably right, but I think another big appeal of mugens is that they are "sooooo rare, bro". This car probably won't have that.

[Linfone]

I'd want a EJ255 in my mid ranged $29k Subaru that weighs 2700 +/- lbs. That'll be like driving a GC8, except more modern looking.

[scoobie]

I'd want a EJ255 in my mid ranged $29k Subaru that weighs 2700 +/- lbs. That'll be like driving a GC8, except more modern looking.

According to MotorTrend, thats exactly what it is...

[Rok Bee]

Ack, I was planning for 2013. Now I'm going to have to rob a bank without a get away car.