Toyota Australia Press Release Says Mid-2012 Launch

[Deslock]

Not sure if this was posted yet, but FYI: Pressroom - Toyota - Press Kit Details

Toyota will set the local sports-car market alight in 2012 when it launches the production version of the FT-86 II Concept.

The FT-86 II Concept, being seen in Australia for the first time, gives vital clues to the final design of Toyota's next sports car.

At the same time, Toyota has revealed key specifications for the new model, now expected to arrive in Australia early in the second half of next year.

The production version will be based on an entirely new front-engine and rear-wheel drive platform.

Compact, lightweight and with a low centre of gravity, it will deliver the best possible power-to-weight ratio.

It will offer the driver confident stability and manoeuvrability, while being quick and nimble in corners.

The production FT-86 is the first vehicle to combine Subaru's horizontally opposed boxer engine architecture with Toyota's D-4S technology (direct injection combined with port injection).

The 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine brings together the technical know-how and enthusiasm for sports cars of both Subaru and Toyota.

This collaboration will deliver improved power and torque without sacrificing fuel consumption and environmental performance.

The powerful yet efficient flat-four engine will be mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.

The manual will offer quick and precise shifts with a short throw, while the automatic transmission will feature sporty shifts, including the availability of paddle shifts mounted on the steering wheel.

The FT-86 II Concept - one of the stars of the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne - is the clearest indication yet of the final design for the driver-oriented production car.

The show car was created as part of Toyota's reborn passion for sports-car driving and the intrinsic fun of motoring.

It pays homage to Toyota's illustrious sports-car history that includes cars such as the Supra, MR2 and 2000GT.

Its name is derived from another legendary Toyota, the AE86 Corolla, which has achieved cult status among those who love the power slides of drift racing.

The concept makes it clear that Toyota's new compact sports car will have the style, performance and handling demanded by those who regard driving as fun rather than a necessity.

[Cal]

Revealed key specifications my ass. Same old non specific marketing bs.

[Deslock]

Revealed key specifications my ass. Same old non specific marketing bs.

Yeah the only thing noteworthy is the line "expected to arrive in Australia early in the second half of next year". Before this, I hadn't seen anything other than rumors regarding release timeframe.

[ej25ti]

Toyota's getting pretty good at the saying the same thing over and over and over w/o actually being verbatim!

[Cal]

Toyota's getting pretty good at the saying the same thing over and over and over w/o actually being verbatim!

Toyota is slowly building a talent for giving out the same info with out it being word for word the same as their other press releases!

Toyota is becoming a master of providing the same information without actually repeating themselves!

Toyota is definitely getting damn good at shelling out all the stuff we already know while keeping the words just different enough so that it is not verbatim!

[ej25ti]

Toyota is slowly building a talent for giving out the same info with out it being word for word the same as their other press releases!

Toyota is becoming a master of providing the same information without actually repeating themselves!

Toyota is definitely getting damn good at shelling out all the stuff we already know while keeping the words just different enough so that it is not verbatim!

hahahahahahhaha
... that actually took me a sec lol :P




i do wonder what this australian press release means for us american folk lol

[Cal]

If the Aussies get them second half of next year I would think Europe, and America would get them sooner.

[ryun84]

If the Aussies get them second half of next year I would think Europe, and America would get them sooner.

^ This is what I'm hoping. Can someone check to verify if the Aussie market does indeed get car models after the NA/European markets? (Sorry, Aussies. No offense intended.)

[ra23celica]

Actually guys, and I know this for a fact as I used to work for Toyota years ago, Australia gets new models sooner than the US and Europe due to the fact that we drive on the same side of the road as Japan, and we are closer.

[ryun84]

Damn. There go all my hopes and dreams...

[Cal]

Not quite you can hope that Toyo does a world release all at the same time.

[modifiedMR]

Not quite you can hope that Toyo does a world release all at the same time.

They might, but I am willing to be there are enough people interested in this car by now, that when it is for sale anywhere, you either will have to buy the car on the lot or wait forever. The tsunami really hurt japan and will affect this car being built. Even gm and ford have had to do some layoffs because they just can't get the parts they need from japan. This car will be mostly japanese.

[Cal]

Sounds like the Civic Si. It would be awesome for this car to be that hot. Then maybe Nissan and Mazda will get off there asses.

[modifiedMR]

I don't know if Nissan can do much more, IMO. They have a descent array of cars. Mazda could though for sure. Really only have the miata going for them right now. I say ditch the rotary bs and go for a rwd rx-7 type car with power as good or better than the ms3. Honda isn't doing much right now either. Unless you like fwd. I'm almost surprised they have not done another 4wd civic.

Toyota needs to get this car going so that people don't go off and buy something else. I mean, camaro's, mustangs and Z's sell pretty well, but I'd bet with gas so high that people will opt for the FRS in these times over the more hardcore sports cars in many cases. That and people will trade up from their fwd's too. If this car has any power (200+ hp) and handles as good as it should because of the layout, I can't see how it wouldn't sell. Might put the miata outta commission.

[Toyoriffic]

Mazda's really busy building the perfect motor that utilizes gasoline efficiently with their SKYACTiV program. For the 3 and for the new 2 in Japan, though I have inquired of Mazda as to their bringing SKYACTiV-engined 2's to the U.S. and apparently they're not. For my next rig I would like to buy a standard transmission and apparently of the subcompacts currently for sale Madza's 2 is said to have the best shifter going right now of the whole bunch. Ford's Fiesta is said to shift chunkily compared to it.

Having said that, the current motor in the Mazda 2 sold right now in the U.S. would still achieve in the upper 30's for gas mileage, certainly acceptable to a guy like me. And is has the required 4 doors I crave.

I am still interested in getting a Scion FR-S but need 4 doors and that must be a dead deal right now, Toyota has said hide nor hare about it. If they built a FR-S sedan I'd be all over it like Gary Payton's No.1 guard in NBA-history defense on Michael Jordan in the 1996 NBA World Finals. Seattle is finally talking about building a new stadium for NBA basketball and the return of a franchise to that world-class Pacific Rim city.

WHOO-HOO! We landed on the moon! Jim Carrey yells to no one in particular as he runs out of the bar he was waiting in for his supposed girlfriend for about 4 hours straight.

[Toyoriffic]

Beyond the coupe, there has been considerable speculation that further developments are planned — a convertible, for instance, though sources in Japan also talk of a compact sedan to target the BMW 1 Series.

Whoo-hoo, guys, Edmunds' Inside Line has an article from May 2011 that states the above. I haven't researched this car as to the sedan or no sedan question for about 6 months now. So I decided ta go diggin' and good 'ole Edmunds has the answer. If Toyota decides to build a sedan version FR-S to target the BMW 1 series I will (and have already mentally prepared myself to, which is about 95% of the total preparation of my getting set to buy a new car I absolutely love) fully set my sights and concentration on buying this car.

The announcement that Toyota is seriously mulling this over (come on, Toyota won't be able to resist the challenge to BMW...lol...of course they're gonna build a sedan FR-S...rotflmao) and that it will be a 6-speed (YES!!!) and not a 5-speed and that it will have a limited-slip differential has just about catapulted buying a new Scion FR-S for the said price of $25,000 to the top of my futures automotive list.

Oh yeah, this announcement I just found out about at 4:00AM PST on 07/09/11 on the internet changes my search for a new rig around 360 degrees. This will single-handedly force Mitsubishi's hand to build the 2013 Lancer GTS Hybrid for me. Just me! If they don't, I'm gonna stray to Toyota (or Scion, in the FR-S' business case) for my next trade-in.

I'm back in. This news is the biggest and most exciting automotive news I've come across in literally months. It's been a frickin' long draught. I'm gonna put Foghat's '8 Days On The Road' on and celebrate. Whoo-hoo! Hey, Toyota, I challenge you to put a great stereo in that will match my 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS' Rockford Fosgate 650-watt, 6-CD changer with 10" subwoofer mounted in the trunk. That is the most rockin' stereo I have ever had in any of my rigs. I will want similar sound in my FR-S but will just swap out at a performance audio store in Coeur d' Alene, ID, or Spokane if need be. That's not the problem. The problem is now solved for me.

I have wanted a FR-S for about a year now but haven't heard squat from Toyota on the proposed idea to build a 4-door for this car. Most of you don't want a 4-door, it's sacrilege to you in a hot racing car like this. Be thinking BMW 1 series, though, for a minute and you will be on board with me. Toyota must take on this challenge if they want to buy back face. If they do a 4-door Scion FR-S (or this could be the Toyota-badged FT-86 guys, I'm thinking they'll go with the Toyota nameplate for this important car) and build it right, and it handles like the sweet dream I know it will, they will have hit the longest home run Ichiro Suzuki has ever hit in MLB for the Seattle Mariners.

WHOO-HOO! Anyone agree with my thoughts and ideas here? I want to know your thoughts on this announcement. If you've already known that Toyota is gonna build a sedan FT-86 for months then why has this forum been totally silent to it then?

Chime in while I have a 4-pronged automotive orgasm here in the inland Pacific Northwest. WHOO-HOO...R.I.P. Rod Price...I'm gonna be playin' some loud boogie Foghat blues this weeked. I think that Toyota will build a 4-dr. FT-86 now. Imagine the potential worldwide sales market they will scrape winnings in from sales of this car...this could be the car of the 2000's if it's built tight automotively-right. And there is a worldwide butt-load of people like me who want a sporty 4-door...look at BMW for a minute and get back ta me on that.

Chime in with your thought and ideas. Yeah-hooo-eeey!!

We've landed on the moon!

Here is the insideline article for reference. This changes everything. Combine this article with some automotive intelligence and you will quickly see why a guy like me in a faraway place like the Idaho panhandle can be so fricking excited about this. WHOO-HOO!!

More Details on the 2012 Toyobaru

[West]

Beyond the coupe, there has been considerable speculation that further developments are planned — a convertible, for instance, though sources in Japan also talk of a compact sedan to target the BMW 1 Series.

Whoo-hoo, guys, Edmunds' Inside Line has an article from May 2011 that states the above. I haven't researched this car as to the sedan or no sedan question for about 6 months now. So I decided ta go diggin' and good 'ole Edmunds has the answer. If Toyota decides to build a sedan version FR-S to target the BMW 1 series I will (and have already mentally prepared myself to, which is about 95% of the total preparation of my getting set to buy a new car I absolutely love) fully set my sights and concentration on buying this car.

The announcement that Toyota is seriously mulling this over (come on, Toyota won't be able to resist the challenge to BMW...lol...of course they're gonna build a sedan FR-S...rotflmao) and that it will be a 6-speed (YES!!!) and not a 5-speed and that it will have a limited-slip differential has just about catapulted buying a new Scion FR-S for the said price of $25,000 to the top of my futures automotive list.

Oh yeah, this announcement I just found out about at 4:00AM PST on 07/09/11 on the internet changes my search for a new rig around 360 degrees. This will single-handedly force Mitsubishi's hand to build the 2013 Lancer GTS Hybrid for me. Just me! If they don't, I'm gonna stray to Toyota (or Scion, in the FR-S' business case) for my next trade-in.

I'm back in. This news is the biggest and most exciting automotive news I've come across in literally months. It's been a frickin' long draught. I'm gonna put Foghat's '8 Days On The Road' on and celebrate. Whoo-hoo! Hey, Toyota, I challenge you to put a great stereo in that will match my 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS' Rockford Fosgate 650-watt, 6-CD changer with 10" subwoofer mounted in the trunk. That is the most rockin' stereo I have ever had in any of my rigs. I will want similar sound in my FR-S but will just swap out at a performance audio store in Coeur d' Alene, ID, or Spokane if need be. That's not the problem. The problem is now solved for me.

I have wanted a FR-S for about a year now but haven't heard squat from Toyota on the proposed idea to build a 4-door for this car. Most of you don't want a 4-door, it's sacrilege to you in a hot racing car like this. Be thinking BMW 1 series, though, for a minute and you will be on board with me. Toyota must take on this challenge if they want to buy back face. If they do a 4-door Scion FR-S (or this could be the Toyota-badged FT-86 guys, I'm thinking they'll go with the Toyota nameplate for this important car) and build it right, and it handles like the sweet dream I know it will, they will have hit the longest home run Ichiro Suzuki has ever hit in MLB for the Seattle Mariners.

WHOO-HOO! Anyone agree with my thoughts and ideas here? I want to know your thoughts on this announcement. If you've already known that Toyota is gonna build a sedan FT-86 for months then why has this forum been totally silent to it then?

Chime in while I have a 4-pronged automotive orgasm here in the inland Pacific Northwest. WHOO-HOO...R.I.P. Rod Price...I'm gonna be playin' some loud boogie Foghat blues this weeked. I think that Toyota will build a 4-dr. FT-86 now. Imagine the potential worldwide sales market they will scrape winnings in from sales of this car...this could be the car of the 2000's if it's built tight automotively-right. And there is a worldwide butt-load of people like me who want a sporty 4-door...look at BMW for a minute and get back ta me on that.

Chime in with your thought and ideas. Yeah-hooo-eeey!!

We've landed on the moon!

Here is the insideline article for reference. This changes everything. Combine this article with some automotive intelligence and you will quickly see why a guy like me in a faraway place like the Idaho panhandle can be so fricking excited about this. WHOO-HOO!!

More Details on the 2012 Toyobaru

Im sorry but why are we to believe what InsideLine says? Everything Ive ready still points to the Subaru "Joint Effort" release. I dont see a Subaru in the works.

I want to believe otherwise. Just saying.

[modifiedMR]

Im sorry but why are we to believe what InsideLine says? Everything Ive ready still points to the Subaru "Joint Effort" release. I dont see a Subaru in the works.

I want to believe otherwise. Just saying.

What about that clear architecture build that Subaru showcased? I do think Subaru will drop this some time. Maybe that's what will be a 4 door. I'll take a coupe, unless the 4 door is just as rigid and light, which isn't likely.

[Toyoriffic]

What I was pointing out is that Toyota is mulling over strongly a 4-door to compete againt the BMW 1-series. If you hate sedans this isn't news. I want a Scion FR-S 4-door so this is news for me. I hadn't seen anything from Toyota for a while on it. Now I'm convinced they'll announce a 4-door sedan variant to compete with BMW's 1-series within 4-6 months from right now. Time can be for you or against you.

[ej25ti]

Unless the 4 door is a Lexus, or like a new CT sedan, I doubt they goin for the BMW, and I think the platform is too small for the new IS obv

[Toyoriffic]

We'll have ta see, I may be more interested in the new Dodge compact that is going to be plopped on to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta chassis anyway, so this is not all a moot point at all. What it is is an interesting study on what may or may not be my next car. And that is complicated and very, very important.

[Cal]

I couldn't see this car turning into a sedan. It would then be a rwd WRX wearing Toyota clothes.