Spy Shots: Subaru FT-86 Variant Spied Again Ahead of Geneva Debut

[West]

Update. Upon further inspection. The car is NOT a hatchback. Sorry folks... see the image below.

For those not familiar, the previous spy shots showed the car as a coupe, or so we thought. Its not evident the car is in fact a hatchback. Previously the rear wing section hid the rather obvious markings of the hatchback, Im amazed we missed this! Remember the car started without a hood scoop, and was later added. Now the "wing" section that previously hid the hatchback has been removed. We should find out the if this is in fact the Subaru FT-86 Variant or the upcoming STi hatchback, maybe both?! Either way, stay tuned on March 3rd for news from Geneva Auto Show!

10-18-2010: Spy shots of possible STI version of the Suby variant

09-01-2010: Subaru's 216a STi FT-86 Variant Spied Testing in US Southwest

02-24-2010: Subaru 086a / 216a Spied in California?

10-13-2009: Spy Shots: Toyota-Subaru coupe prototype caught ringin' der Nürburg

Subaru has already announced that it plans to debut its version of the rear-wheel-drive FT-86 concept at next month's Geneva Motor Show. It's safe to say that the joint venture between Toyota and Subaru is one of the most highly anticipated debuts of the year, and while the vehicle that takes the stage in Switzerland will still be designated as a concept, it should give us a very good glimpse as to what's in store for the production car.

Our trusty spy photographers have caught Subaru's version of the sports car out testing, and while we've been quick to label the Toyobaru as a coupe, this latest set of photos suggests a hatchback configuration. There's still a small deck out back, though, so perhaps the term 'fastback' is more appropriately used in an instance like this (sort of like the Scion tC). Either way, the bodywork looks similar to evaluation mules we've seen periodically over the last couple of years, but it isn't known for certain if the bodywork shrouded in camouflage is production.

In any case, you can expect to see a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four under the hood, producing something like 260 horsepower. Subaru will break its all-wheel-drive-only mantra with this new car, as the automaker has confirmed that power will run solely to the rear wheels. See the latest set of spy shots for yourself in our high-res image gallery below.

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/16/s...geneva-reveal/

[ej25ti]

I sure hope there is more diguise here than what it seems
otherwise all it looks like is a 2 door hatch of the current model
which makes me still think that this is not the 216a and just another future vehicle
i think the car at geneva will be something completely new
or at least i hope
im prob all wrong though lol

[West]

You know... now that I am not running around and had a good look at it, it looks like a coupe. Am I alone?

In fact, the original size shows this clearly! People are mistaking the removal of the "wing" as "OMG ITS A HATCHBACK"

[Boostaholic]

**cough** WRX **cough**

just give me the damn FR-S with a turbo, is that really too much to ask for?

[Jason]

It sounds like you will get just that, but dubbed a FT-S.

[ej25ti]

You know... now that I am not running around and had a good look at it, it looks like a coupe. Am I alone?

In fact, the original size shows this clearly! People are mistaking the removal of the "wing" as "OMG ITS A HATCHBACK"

Interesting how it was in CA and now it's in Michigan...
snow testing? lol

but yea i see what u mean, doesnt look like a hatch

[ra23celica]

Cut down STi?

[Exitspeed]

I'm surprised that this mule does seem to be closer to what the real car proportions then we thought. It's not as low slung and sleek as the FT.

This thing looks more like a Impreza coupe then the FT.

[ej25ti]

I'm surprised that this mule does seem to be closer to what the real car proportions then we thought. It's not as low slung and sleek as the FT.

This thing looks more like a Impreza coupe then the FT.

That's what I'm saying. I think this is just a coupe impreza, I don't think it's subies FT.