Question and Answer with Jaromir Cech at ED2, Toyota FT-86 Designer

[West]

Jaromir Cech, senior designer at Toyota Europe Design Development (ED2) took some time for question and answer recently with Steve Sutcliffe at Autocar.

Its safe to say the recent rumors of a pending redesign can be put to bed. With the recent marketing piece and this latest interview its safe to say 7Tune took an opportunity to spread false rumors for its own personal gain.

Check out the pictures below, they are from the same tasty location that came with the recent marketing material / backgrounds.

Rumors are the FT-86 ED2 design will be "officially" confirmed at the upcoming Geneva show.

To take away from the interview, its clear this car is small, smaller than an Audi TT. Which is serious business for the intent of this car, the integration of Subaru's flat-four 2.0 liter 'boxer' engine makes the small form possible.

Possibly its most notable attribute will be the FT-86's curb weight, estimated to be around 2755 lbs. Toyota claims the what makes the FT-86 so special is its purity of response, its handling agility and the fact it will have a proper limited slip differential.

Cech estimates the pre production bonnet (front hood) is around 100mm lower than conventional four-cylinder cars, but mentioned "It won't be quite as low for the production car. Unfortunately, we have to raise it maybe 50mm to meet pedestrian crash protection legislation." No big deal we say, most our cars will have new aftermarket suspension anyways.

Mechanically the car is what you would expect from a sports car estimated in the low 20's. Suspension is suspected to come in the form of wishbones at the front and chances are multi-link at the rear, transmission as expected will be a six-speed manual.

The FT-86 is Toyota's deadly serious attempt to carve itself into the lucrative affordable sports car market, as well as recapture and repackage the DNA lost in recent years, the DNA that made Toyota the company which we see today.



What was the design brief for the car?

The first ideas we had came after some feedback we got from the engineering people. They told us they’d been testing this car, and that it drove just like a go-kart on the track. And so we thought, ‘Well, we need to make a car that looks like it drives like a go-kart.’

So when did you first start designing it?

A little over two years ago, since when the idea has been refined, obviously, but still with those same themes at the centre: driver focus, purity of form and functional beauty.

Were there any influences apart from the original rear-drive Corolla?

The Corolla represents a lot of the FT’s basic design influence, but really there are a number of cars that we looked at, from the Supra to the original MR2.

You were primarily responsible for the interior; which bits are you most proud of, and which aspect do you think will make it into production?

I’m proud of the interior. It’s deliberately extremely driver-orientated and contains quite a few fresh ideas, especially within the modular dash design.

I’m not sure whether the zips idea for the doorbins will make it into production — it may prove too difficult to mass-produce — but I hope one day we’ll see something like it in a production Toyota because it’s a simple but also functional solution.

And like I say, that’s the key design theme for the whole car: functional beauty. That came right from the very top.

[Nemesis]

GREAT post west. Thanks!

[Cal]

I’m not sure whether the zips idea for the doorbins will make it into production — it may prove too difficult to mass-produce — but I hope one day we’ll see something like it in a production Toyota because it’s a simple but also functional solution.

Oh I hope not. I really really hope not. Zip your cell phone in there and you'll never find it. Just wait 5 years later when your three year old breaks the zipper off. House keys = Cut Dash

[West]

Added more goodies to the post.

[ra23celica]

This is brilliant, thank you.

[Trueno]

Hells yes! I don't understand what everyone on jolopnik is complaining about the curb weight being 2700lbs, it's hard to build cars with today's regulations and make it much smaller. The s13 is about the same weight, so this car will be a dream come true.

[West]

Video added from Autocar



YouTube - Toyota FT-86 Concept by autocar.co.uk

[ra23celica]

Excellent interview, pretty much stressed that production commences in 2012.

[FT-Omnom]

Arrrg, thats way to long to wait!!!!!

[Cal]

Excellent interview, pretty much stressed that production commences in 2012.

Which I'm guessing means it is supposed to be a 2013 model with possibly a debut to select dealers around the world in late 2012.

[Jason]

Im guessing ETA: November 2011.

Good post West, glad to hear that design is going forward. thank you!!

[dsycks]

Few things I notice that get my attention...

1) Decent driving position but the wheel is a bit far from the driver. This will mean you slide up and sit up which is ok but when you do this in a car with a hump in the roof you start moving how much head room you have. For big guys like me who need to get in the car WITH a helmet on it can become an issue.

2) Zippers? Dude says this is the key design point? Like I could care. Tell me if the shape of the car makes any downforce. At least tell us that it avoids lift! Is the rear diffuser functional? I know the car takes cues from the Lexus LFA which has SERIOUS aero function but are these cues just fluff or are they functional?

3) 2700lbs. Yea. This is an issue for me. 2500 seems doable in a special edition but its a rare car that is less than 2700 these days. Airbags and crash beams add up fast. Big batteries, cushy interiors, power accessories, sound deadening and even the wiring for electronics (I have seen guys cut almost 50lbs of wire and harness out of track cars) all add up to make an otherwise thin car rather portly. This just seems to me to be all the more reason to make a special edition car with no spare tire or jack, no back seat, light trim, small battery and a bunch of other go fast tricks that will cut weight to a much more magical number. If I can get it in spec racer trim all that much better!

4) Suspension. This article says they expect dual wishbone front and multi-link rear. Other sources say strut front and double wishbone rear. Either one is fine by me but they had damn well better get the geometry right or I will junk punch someone up in their man business. At the very least... do NOT try to get that last half a foot of trunk space at the expense of killing the rear suspension. Dynamics > ergonomics... period!

5) Timeline. I have no idea why these folks are dragging their feet on this. They have what seems a rather complete car right now. They have the major parts in the bins and suspension geometry is not new science. Toyota NEEDS a boost and a light, fun, cheap peoples sports car would give it to them. In addition the longer they wait to come to market the more likely that Mazda will bring a car to the public that they will have trouble trumping. This is one time when being first to market could be in their interest as the aftermarket will flock to the right platform and if the market is rich with this chassis they will be less likely to support another as heavily.

Just my thoughts... your mileage may vary.

[dsycks]

Dang... just watched the video... headroom IS going to be an issue for track sluts.

[Exitspeed]

3) 2700lbs. Yea. This is an issue for me. 2500 seems doable in a special edition but its a rare car that is less than 2700 these days. Airbags and crash beams add up fast. Big batteries, cushy interiors, power accessories, sound deadening and even the wiring for electronics (I have seen guys cut almost 50lbs of wire and harness out of track cars) all add up to make an otherwise thin car rather portly. This just seems to me to be all the more reason to make a special edition car with no spare tire or jack, no back seat, light trim, small battery and a bunch of other go fast tricks that will cut weight to a much more magical number. If I can get it in spec racer trim all that much better!

2700lbs isn't bad. I mean by today's standards that is pretty light. A S14 is around 2700lbs an that only had 155hp. I'd expect this car to have over 200hp. I think a few of us are guessing 210-240. 240 on the extreme high side IMO. 220hp at 2700lbs would make it a pretty good performer. 1/4 mile times would be in the low 14's. That weight sounds fine to me. Hell I'd be happy with it at that weight and have it only be 210hp.

[dsycks]

Don't disagree, just fear that the car is growing with time. At this rate it may be a 3000lb car by launch... as a matter of fact I would be stunned in the premium loaded car is not over that mark.

I also agree that power to weight should still be in the cars favor but this only works when you are talking about acceleration. When it comes to dynamic stability and braking, the effects of every pound of weight are at least as profound. Sprung, unsprung, rotational mass and where the weight is at also have big impacts but those are subjects for more in depth posts.

[Exitspeed]

Indeed. But from everything Toyota has said about this car from that start they have all of that in mind when designing it. The fact that the car is even the the dimensions it is shows that they are serious about building a solid performer. At least I'm convinced they are.

[drperry]

2700lbs isn't bad. I mean by today's standards that is pretty light. A S14 is around 2700lbs an that only had 155hp. I'd expect this car to have over 200hp. I think a few of us are guessing 210-240. 240 on the extreme high side IMO. 220hp at 2700lbs would make it a pretty good performer. 1/4 mile times would be in the low 14's. That weight sounds fine to me. Hell I'd be happy with it at that weight and have it only be 210hp.

It better have at least 170 - 180 ft/lbs of torque to go with that 200 HP!

I had an old Lumina Z34, and with 200HP and 200ft/lbs, the car could get 16.0 +/- .2 seconds in the 1/4 mile, with an auto... and that was a 3400+ lb car.

If the FT86 weighs 3000lbs or less, we'll be laughing!
Heck, an SRT-4 weighs about 2500 - 2700lbs, so it should be doable... But it's not likely to get much lighter than that, being RWD, unless they use a carbonfiber driveshaft in the track version...

[dsycks]

An E36 BMW is around 2600-2700lbs in full trim. Its pretty lux, RWD and has that big heavy motor sitting up front.

There is no reason this car should weigh more.

[Nemesis]

E36 M3‎: Sedan: 53.7 in (1364 mm). Curb weight, 1460 kg (3219 lb) Convertible: 1560 kg (3439 lb)

I think you may have converted wrong...looks like the E36 is 3200+....

[Exitspeed]

It better have at least 170 - 180 ft/lbs of torque to go with that 200 HP!

I had an old Lumina Z34, and with 200HP and 200ft/lbs, the car could get 16.0 +/- .2 seconds in the 1/4 mile, with an auto... and that was a 3400+ lb car.

If the FT86 weighs 3000lbs or less, we'll be laughing!
Heck, an SRT-4 weighs about 2500 - 2700lbs, so it should be doable... But it's not likely to get much lighter than that, being RWD, unless they use a carbonfiber driveshaft in the track version...

I had a 2000 Eclipse GT with a 300lb curb weight with 205 hp, and I ran 14.7-14.8's. If this thing came in at 2700-2800lbs and 210 hp I'd be happy with it.

I'm not concerned with 1/4 mile times any longer but it's still a good way to compare.

[Ft86]

hot sex... hahaha

[dsycks]

E36 M3‎: Sedan: 53.7 in (1364 mm). Curb weight, 1460 kg (3219 lb) Convertible: 1560 kg (3439 lb)

I think you may have converted wrong...looks like the E36 is 3200+....

I know guys who have stripped 325s who tip scales at 2350lbs.

This is where I found my data and it is not a M3... may be a 318 for all I know...

1998 BMW 3-Series Exterior

-
Body side molding
-
Front and rear body color bumpers
-
Coefficient of drag: 0.35
-
Driver and passenger power heated body color door mirrors
-
External dimensions: overall length (mm): 4,209, overall width (mm): 1,699, overall height (mm): 1,392, wheelbase (mm): 2,700, front track (mm): 1,407, rear track (mm): 1,412 and curb to curb turning circle (mm): 10,394
-
Conventional lens halogen bulb headlights
-
Metallic paint , black paint , gloss paint
-
Rear window
-
Tinted glass
-
Weights: curb weight (kg) 1,124
-
Windshield wipers with variable intermittent wipe

[drperry]

There's been a LOT of changes in the past 12 years...

If you're going to compare old vehicles, a 2-door Chevette was less than 2000lbs.

[dsycks]

There's been a LOT of changes in the past 12 years...

If you're going to compare old vehicles, a 2-door Chevette was less than 2000lbs.

Apples to oranges. A Lotus 7 can come in under 1000lbs too but its not got a lot in common with any of the above.

I think many of the changes we have seen in the last decade come in two places... 1) Safety. We have jammed more airbags and crash beams into cars than existed in the 100 years before that combined. 2) Everyone wants gizmos. Every car on the road has more electronics, sound and temp insulation, speakers, and doodads than we could foresee all that long ago.

The upside is that cars are stiffer, there is more torsional and structural rigidity and with that comes better platforms for sporty cars. Sadly not many folks use this advantage and package cars to be driving appliances and not driving machines.

I am still hopeful that someone gets it right soon but if not I'll just pick up a late 90s Imprezza and do an STI swap on it. Nuff said.

[drperry]

Apples to oranges. A Lotus 7 can come in under 1000lbs too but its not got a lot in common with any of the above.

I think many of the changes we have seen in the last decade come in two places... 1) Safety. We have jammed more airbags and crash beams into cars than existed in the 100 years before that combined. 2) Everyone wants gizmos. Every car on the road has more electronics, sound and temp insulation, speakers, and doodads than we could foresee all that long ago.

The upside is that cars are stiffer, there is more torsional and structural rigidity and with that comes better platforms for sporty cars. Sadly not many folks use this advantage and package cars to be driving appliances and not driving machines.

I am still hopeful that someone gets it right soon but if not I'll just pick up a late 90s Imprezza and do an STI swap on it. Nuff said.

Apples to oranges indeed... You can't really use any car over 5 years old for an "equal" comparison... A 2010 BMW M3 Sedan, however, weighs in at over 3200lbs... Anything less than 3000lbs will be a blessing, lol.

You're 100% correct in where all the weight comes from... Safety and gadgets
A/C used to be a luxury option... In most vehicles these days, it's standard... Samething goes for ABS, Traction Control and Stability Management... They used to be only on upscale expensive cars... Now, they're all over the place.
I just hope that we'll actually be able to turn that stuff completely off! lol

I hope they do make a track/spec version... I won't get one, because this car would be my daily driver, the the option for it would still rock!

[Cal]

I like apples and oranges