Rumor: FT86 Release Date Extended, Design Changed?

**West** · 05-26-2010, 07:20 AM

More rumors from Best Car/7Tune, again take this with a grain of salt. Toyota has already confirmed an early 2012 release of he FT86 at multiple venues. The car was never projected with the 2011 release date, however its possible the FT86 intended to be released in Japan late 2011. Poorly translated, the original article from best car is titled "Extending FT86 2013 release? Toyota, Nissan, Honda fate of the three major car manufacturers battle"

According to Japan’s “Best Car magazine”, the FT86’s release date is set to be postponed a further 2 years with the goal posts being shifted from a 2011 release date to 2013.

Toyota are offering two reasons for this reported delay. It is said that the design is going to be amended yet again, indicating a fresh source of frustration for fans of the car the world over. Toyota appear to have gone to lengths to reiterate that the concept we have all seen at the 2010 TMS was only that; a prototype and they have left the door open for further changes to its shape.

Best Car has also said that according to the data from the newly formed TMJ group (Toyota Marketing Japan), fears exist that the release date for 2011 may be premature – with a global economic slowdown effecting sales and with expectations that the sports car market is going to take longer to recover.

With the car slated to be displayed again at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2011, Toyota are also said to be taking a hard look at the success of Honda’s CR-Z, with its hybrid engine the main focus and this may end up influencing the development of the FT-86.

Interestingly, Toyota is said to be planning to sell the car in Japan for a little over 2,000,000 yen – quite cheap in itself but it is too early to say for certain.

Indeed many things about the development of this car are uncertain and this cannot be helping the confidence of the legions of people hungry to get their hands on this car when it does in fact go on sale officially.

As it stands, this latest round of reported changes lend lend themselves to the impression that Toyota appear to be doing their best to score an own goal with this car.

Source: Best Car Japan

Words: Adam Zillin

Source: FT-86 Release Dates Moved to 2013? : 7Tune.com

**HyperFX** · 05-26-2010, 11:07 AM

Nice find West. Like every other article its pure entertainment. Keeps us on our toes while beating a dead horse. The "official" announcement is yet to come. The longer the wait the more money to pay off the vehicle. Dosent bother me at all.

**Cal** · 05-26-2010, 11:39 AM

I have a feeling this article has some truth to it. Instead of an early 2012 release I say a fall 2012 release.

**Jason** · 05-26-2010, 11:18 PM

Stop the BS, just bring us what we have seen already. Create a new product to push your redesign or hybrid on.

**Trueno** · 05-27-2010, 11:33 AM

A HUGE window for Nisssan and Mazda just opened, not to mention time for a new Genesis, the Mustsng to gain traction, etc. This sucks.

**West** · 05-30-2010, 08:47 AM

I hope Nissan comes up with something to fill the 20k sports car role.

Also, with the FT86 set to be the darling of Gran Turismo 5, I wonder if that will happen now that the release date is Nov 1st 2010.

**HyperFX** · 05-30-2010, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by West

I hope Nissan comes up with something to fill the 20k sports car role.

Your right, i also hope Nissan brings back the Sylvia and Mazda the Rx-7 redesigns. Old school should be new school again. Keep extending the release date Toyota and your fans will "extend" to another brand.

**Cal** · 05-31-2010, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by West

I hope Nissan comes up with something to fill the 20k sports car role.

Vq25det detuned to 220-250hp, 2+ 2 fm. 2800-3100lbs. That would be awesome. (Props to Exitspeed)

It's amazing to me that GT5 still hasn't come out yet. I mean it's only been forever.