Subaru 216a "Toyobaru" Spied Driving the 405 in SoCal

[West]

Worry not Subaru fans, it seems the Subaru 216a variant Toyota FT-86 / Scion FR-S is alive and well, roaming the streets on SoCals Interstate 405. At least, thats what was reported by the photographer of the images below.

The camo'd car doesn't look that different than the Toyota FT-86 / Scion FR-S spied at the Nürburgring earlier in the week. Thanks to the camo its hard to make out the details of the spy car. We hate to play devils advocate, but Subaru likely has this car in its possession for testing, whether its a Toyota/Scion, or even Subaru. After all, its their chassis.

In the mean time, we will wish the report is correct. We need the FT-86 trifecta.

Getting onto the 405 freeway yesterday around 5pm, I ran into this car in full camo. It was funny, because I was on the phone, talking to a team mate of mine from the Scion tC racing team. At first I thought that the car was an FR-S, but it seems like it might be the Subaru version of the "Toyo-baru". I wasn't sure if the distributor license plate was a Scion plate, but I checked later and its a Subaru plate. I took a couple of quick snaps. Two people in the car, CB antenna on it, they seem to be doing some calibration work. Lost them on the freeway prior to being able to grab my good camera. The car had a nice shape overall, and the front appears to be a lot more conservative than the FR-S prototypes.

Source: Toyo-baru on the 405 Freeway in Camouflage

[DrewsiferxXx]

Omg... I think the one we saw on the ring must have been testing future STi aero. Squee!

[MrVito]

I would say this is without a doubt Subaru's test mule, note the same license plate number as the test mule that was spotted in death valley back in September of last year. The one in Germany is more likely the Toyo/Scion version, just testing out optional Aero.

Subaru / FT-86 test mule spied in Death Valley, California | Tune86 - FT-86 news

[Cal]

How awesome would it be to be paid to test that car? I'd *insert terrible deed* to do that for Nissan.

[DrewsiferxXx]

Its just as likely the Cali one is the scion despite whom it is registered to. since Subaru its the chassis/engine developer.

[DrewsiferxXx]

Btw I would love to own that effed up looking death valley car.

[Nemesis]

I'm feeling better about it now that I can see it still has the show cars hips and dimpled roof design...

[HyperFX]

Notice its as low as the white Porsche Caymen in front, or even lower!? Nice

[blofeld42]

Supposedly they're benchmarking it against the Cayman, so the Cayman in front may be part of the test program.

[Cal]

^Welcome

Now the Cayman would be one hell of a car to bench it against.