FT86-II Restyling happened because of driver feedback

[Exitspeed]

Toyota remodels new coupe - Autocar.co.uk

Driver feedback from early development tests is one of the main factors behind the redesign of Toyota’s FT-86, which appeared in its closer-to-production form at the Geneva show.

The FT-86 II’s restyle keeps the original concept’s basic silhouette but lifts the nose, a move forced by pedestrian impact regulations. However, the biggest change is to the A-pillars, which have been moved back by around 100mm at the base, resulting in a more upright windscreen. It also gets a remodelled rear end, and LEDs in a new front bumper that draws heavily on 2007’s FT-HS concept.

See pics of the Toyota FT-86 II from the Geneva show

Akihiro Nagaya, the manager of Toyota’s design division, told Autocar that the changes had been made after test drivers’ reaction to early prototypes of the car, which uses a floorpan and flat-four engine developed in conjunction with Subaru.
“We had feedback from drivers who felt that the angle of the A-pillars created a type of ‘tunnel vision’,” he said. “This could sometimes make the car hard to place on the road, particularly at higher speeds. The theory behind this car remains that of the ‘86’ [the original Corolla AE-86], which was easy and pure to drive, so we had to change it.”

Read more on the Toyota FT-86 II concept

Nagaya said the Geneva car was “a fair indication” of how the final production model could look when it arrives at the Tokyo show in December. “You could say it’s around 50 per cent there,” he said, “although that could be as high as 70 per cent.”
He also confirmed that the Toyota will share more than just mechanicals with the Subaru; the two cars will look very similar, too. He said the approach would be along the lines of Subaru’s Trezia, which is a Toyota Verso-S with redesigned grille and lights.
John McIlroy

[Cal]

As long as they removed the LED's i'm happy.

[ProZach626]

^^ word. They can keep the LED's and their wing.

[ej25ti]

the more i look at the II, the less i like it
most stuff grows on me but not this
from the a-pillars to the rear windows, dont like it
the nice wheels, brakes, color and spoiler at first caught my eye, but not so sure about it now
and that new M1 is lookin reallllll nice

[Nemesis]

I'm not sure where toyota was getting their info. Every website I have ever visited didn't want it to change from the FT-86 I. I think the FT-86 II lost all of it's class and it's uniqueness. The FT-86 II is simply a copy-cat. It took the FT-86 I and tacked on design cues from many other cars. They ruined the fenders and quarter panels by flattening the area just around the perimeter of the wheels. The entire car was changed other then it is still a 2-door four cyclinder boxer toyota with a similar hood and front end. I would have paid 35,000 for the mkI. The mkII I would price around 20,000. It looks cheap and lower class. I completely hate that toyota would have done this with all the feedback available concerning changing the mk I and reactions to changing the original formula of the honda cr-z. CR-Z=flop. I have lost complete faith in toyota's style sense and chalk the mk I up to great european designers that need to find jobs where their designs will be appreciated. I expected honda to screw up the cr-z, they have a pitiful design history. Toyota has usually been willing to take chances, I didn't expect this from toyota. With all the reaction the mk I received, with their statements of: ....he wants it to remain as unchanged as possible... The mk II is completely changed. Mk II=fail in my book ----sensing the dissappointment?
Come on subaru, there's a first time for everything, make the better looking car....all my eggs are in your basket...

[West]

I dont really dislike the changes they made (besides the front LED), although they didn't listen to the fans per say as I didn't hear any complaints beyond the rear end looked "odd". However it grew on me, and Id prefer the old style remain. The A-Pillar changed as I noted, they had small windows in previously. I thought that was cool, but no way it'd make it to production.

Nem, I agree the car does look more copy-cat now. However I have heard more reports of the Subaru and Toyota being near identical. Which im still perplexed to hear. Totally agree though, the MK II was a let down.

We didn't really hear that much about the engine or interior, which in a way surprised me. If they end up screwing with the engine beyond adding Turbo or .5 liters more then they are losing sight of what this car was suposed to be all about.

[ej25ti]

im also starting to dislike that "M vent" and that door handle...
just looks way too bat-mobiley

[Exitspeed]

For me, it's still waaaaay better looking then I honestly though Toyota was capable of at the moment. *see LF-A

So while I don't think the changes made the car better looking, it didn't detract from it enough to sway my opinion on the vehicle. I'm still in love with it and we all knew that it had to undergo changes to make it into production and none of the changes surprise me at all.

[ej25ti]

*see LF-A

i dont care what anyone says, that car is nasty! minus the price tag

[Exitspeed]

i dont care what anyone says, that car is nasty! minus the price tag

Car looks like complete incoherent shit to me.

[West]

For a second you scared me, thought you were talking about the FT-86 redesign.

[Exitspeed]

For a second you scared me, thought you were talking about the FT-86 redesign.

No, the LFA. I despise that car and I hate that I do.

[HakosukaBunta]

So much crying in this thread... hahahahaha

[Cal]

No, the LFA. I despise that car and I hate that I do.

I almost like the LFA. I like the exhaust note and the styling is almost there, however it just does't do it for me. It's either too much or not enough I can't tell.

[motopythons]

I love it the MK-II! As a matter of fact, I registered for an account just to say this!

Just my opinion but I think the MK-I is good looking, but still a little conservative in design. The G sport concept was much better. To me the MK-II rank equally as the G sport.

[ej25ti]

I love it the MK-II! As a matter of fact, I registered for an account just to say this!

Just my opinion but I think the MK-I is good looking, but still a little conservative in design. The G sport concept was much better. To me the MK-II rank equally as the G sport.

well yes, but the production model is just not gonna come with any of the things you like about the MK-II, the brakes, the carbon fiber body parts, the wheels etc.
what did you think about the change in body shape is the question

[ZDan]

I like the cleanliness and lack of gimmickry on the fT86, but it looks to me like the FT86 II has the engine and cabin moved further aft relative to the wheels, should make for a better (more rearward) weight distribution, and I prefer the more "cab rearward" look and more upright windshield.




Note the position of the doors relative to the wheel openings. On the FT-86 II, the front wheels are further from the door than the rears. Looks to be a significant step in the right direction

Really really really looking forward to this car...

[Toyoriffic]

I can almost visualize world peas...I...I mean the space where a rear door could be put in ta make this pup a 4-dr. sedan!

Yummy!

[Exitspeed]

I like the cleanliness and lack of gimmickry on the fT86, but it looks to me like the FT86 II has the engine and cabin moved further aft relative to the wheels, should make for a better (more rearward) weight distribution, and I prefer the more "cab rearward" look and more upright windshield.




Note the position of the doors relative to the wheel openings. On the FT-86 II, the front wheels are further from the door than the rears. Looks to be a significant step in the right direction

Really really really looking forward to this car...

Looking at them side by side, I can honestly say I like the FT II better. It has a more traditional RWD shape, with the longer hood. The FT I is more compact looking. Thanks for posting that up like that.

[Rival M]

I still think it's too early to judge. Also I can't see anything in all that black.

But the silouhette of the II looks just as good, though different, as the original to me. For me it's all about the mechanicals anyway. A lightweight, RWD coupe? They just don't exist! Bring it Toyota! We can fix the styling later.