Rumor: Toyota Working On Smaller "Baby FT-86"

[West]

Stay with me here, this ones almost more absurd than the other rumors... I wouldn't have posted this if it hadn't come from Road and Track.

The FT-86 has caused a big stir for Toyota ever since it was introduced at the last Tokyo Motor Show. Now we hear that Toyota is also working on milder sports car, one that’ll be $5000 less expensive than the FT-86. When the FT-86 goes on sale in 2011, we predict that it’ll come with a price tag slightly above $20,000. Toyota had originally wanted to keep the FT-86’s price tag below the $20,000-mark; however, development costs are running way over budget, and we hear that Toyota is resigned to the fact that the FT-86 will be a $20,000-plus car.

In order to fill the under-$20,000 sports-car hole in its lineup, the company is reportedly working on a baby FT-86. This car will measure about 150 in. overall length and come powered by the company’s 3SZ-VE engine, a 1.5-liter inline-4 that produces 109 bhp. It will feature a front-engine/rear drive layout. Details are still sketchy at this point, but look for this new sports car to make its debut sometime 2012.

Source: Toyota Working On a Baby FT-86

Ill save myself from rambling on about how ridiculous this sounds. Ill dig a bit more on to see if there is any substance behind this rumor.Until then let me share a few concerns.

What R&T describes sure smells like Scion, but there simply inst room to compete with the two cars on a single showroom floor. There is no way this would show up along side the FT-86 in 2012.

Here are the problems:
1. 1.5L RWD platform will not draw massing interest.
2. $18k baby FT-86 competes with a real $23k FT-86.
3. 150in = 2in Longer than a Mini.
4. 3SZ-VE = FWD, although has been horizontally opposed in other Toyota "SUV's". Why would they use the Subaru motor in the FT-86 and their own in this "baby FT-86"
5. Rumor to showrooms in 2012, along with the FT-86.

For Comparison, FT86:
Length: 163.78 inches / Width: 69.29 inches / Height: 48.19 inches / Wheelbase: 101.18 inches

Baby FT-86 = 13" shorter? The FT86 is already short.

...sorry I rambled....

[HyperFX]

This car would be a nice grocery getter if you place a Hybrid Synergy Drive System motor into the thing. Maybe use it as a platform for the next plug in hybrid? Must be comedy hour at Motor Trend?

[Cal]

Sounds slow.

No thanks.

[bryantb2]

i think this might work if they make it really light say around 2200lbs. maybe make it mid-engined it could be a new mr2

[Jason]

The only way I see that happening is if the FT-86 comes closer to $30k range.

I agree it would have to be extremely lightweight to be anything of interest.

My fear would be Toyota adding heft and price to the FT86 simply to distinguish the two cars. In all, I hope this remains a rumor.

[ej25ti]

just means there will be more people slower than me if i buy the base FT86 haha

[JamesE]

The only way I see that happening is if the FT-86 comes closer to $30k range.

You said it. I don't think the FT-86 is going to be anywhere near $20K. More like $27K.. and $33K nicely equip. Think 370Z pricing. Maybe the FT-86 will only come in a turbo version. The baby 86 will fit nicely in the Scion lineup as a potential tC replacement, and meet the sub-$20K target.

[ZDan]

We get two smaller/lighter-weight FR cars on the market instead of just the one?
Sounds like good news to me.

Here's hoping Nissan gets with the program and gives us a new smallish/lightweightish SX, and a new Z based on that rather than on a luxury sedan :P

[Exitspeed]

Still just rumors. Nothing from Toyota. I wish they would just come out and announce their plans already.

[ej25ti]

You said it. I don't think the FT-86 is going to be anywhere near $20K. More like $27K.. and $33K nicely equip. Think 370Z pricing. Maybe the FT-86 will only come in a turbo version. The baby 86 will fit nicely in the Scion lineup as a potential tC replacement, and meet the sub-$20K target.

They already just released a tC replacement, there's a thread for it i believe

[bersh]

needs moar turbo.

[ej25ti]

yes lighter weight plus aftermarket turbo =
i bet it's an FT-86 w/o rear seats...

[Jason]

I'll take one if they come as a add-on for the FT86

[ra23celica]

I wonder if this is a smokescreen report for the possibillity that Toyota is considering a second, smaller engine for the FT-86?. This would be a cheaper way to give a discounted price for the FT-86, far far cheaper than developing a whole new platform in order to have an entry level small RWD car. Back in the 1980's and 1990's Toyota offered a number of different engines in each of its cars, for example, the AW-11 MR2 could be bought in Japan and other countries with a 1.5L or a 1.6L, the SW-20 MR2 with the 2L 3S-GE, the 2.2L 5S-FE and the 2.0L 3S-GTE. Various Celica's could be had with 1.6, 2.0L and 2.2L engines as well.

[West]

I wonder if this is a smokescreen report for the possibillity that Toyota is considering a second, smaller engine for the FT-86?. This would be a cheaper way to give a discounted price for the FT-86, far far cheaper than developing a whole new platform in order to have an entry level small RWD car. Back in the 1980's and 1990's Toyota offered a number of different engines in each of its cars, for example, the AW-11 MR2 could be bought in Japan and other countries with a 1.5L or a 1.6L, the SW-20 MR2 with the 2L 3S-GE, the 2.2L 5S-FE and the 2.0L 3S-GTE. Various Celica's could be had with 1.6, 2.0L and 2.2L engines as well.

Excellent point, I'm not sure why we haven't seen more about the use of an Toyota motor. I love the Subie motor and hope it stays that way, but Toyota has plent of engines in it's arsenal.

[ra23celica]

After watching the 24 hours Le Man on the weekend and seeing all the GranTurismo 5 advertising around the track and on a selected few competitors cars...(Ford GT for example) and all the GT5 advertising that shows the FT-86 (admittedly 'Concept') driving around I have a sneaking suspicion that Toyota could be tooling up to introduce the car after their annual plant shutdown (and enforced workers holiday) in August - September this year. Give it a month to six weeks to ship it around the world so dealers have stock, and we could be looking at a 01-November release which I believe co-incides with the release date of GT5. What odds to release a new model at the same time as a world-wide smash hit game??? Or is this just hopeful wishing thinking? :-) Remember, you read it here first!!!! (I think?)