Toyota Celica or Scion tC? Toyota reportedly deliberating over production FT-86 namep

[ToyobaruBot]

Toyota FT-86 Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Although the Toyota FT-86, freshly unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, is billed strictly as a concept car, we're fully expecting the rear-wheel-drive coupe to foreshadow a new production car from Toyota. The question on everyone's lips, then, is what Toyota will call the final version when it hits the market.

Some reports are indicating that Toyota will revive the Celica nameplate, a name which still carries a certain following among Japanese sportscar fans even though it hasn't been used in four years. Other reports are suggest that when the production FT-86 reaches American shores, it will act as a replacement for the current Scion tC. Both the models, in their last iterations, were front-drive models, but that may not be a factor in determining the vehicle's name.

So which is true? Only time will tell, but both reports could ultimately prove accurate. Even if Toyota does decide to badge the FT-86 a Scion, the youth-oriented brand is only active in the North American market, meaning that the Japanese automaker will still need another name for use in its domestic market and others overseas. Which name would appeal to you more? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.


Gallery: Toyota FT-86 Concept in the Studio



[Sources: Autocar and The Detroit Bureau]Toyota Celica or Scion tC? Toyota reportedly deliberating over production FT-86 nameplate originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

[toayoztan]

Personally, I wouldn't like this car to be badged as a Scion. I would like the Toyota badge better. While I have no problem with the Scion line, I just think for a "reprised corolla", etc. it should stick with the Toyota badge.

Bryan

[Exitspeed]

Toyota Celica or Scion tC? Toyota reportedly deliberating over production FT-86 namep - FT-86 Forums & 086a Forums | Toyobaru.net Forums

[6 SPEED DEMON]

Bring back the Celica!!!!!

[Exitspeed]

Bring back the Celica!!!!!

I'm with you. I'm for the Celica name.

[6 SPEED DEMON]

CELICA!!! Badge it a Celica Supra Like they did in the 80'S

[Exitspeed]

CELICA!!! Badge it a Celica Supra Like they did in the 80'S

THAT would be cool. But I think the Supra fanboys would get all upset about it even having the Supra name.

[Cal]

I honestly think a new name is best. Celics has been raped of all OG coolness, scion is too Need for speed and this car isn't powerful enough to be a supra. I say just call it the FT-86, 86, F6 or F8

[mRodiek]

^Agreed, Id love for it to rock the Celica name
but it seems almost played out. Although it could help bring back some nostalgia and older guys will be more interested.

I think if they are going to use any variation of "FT86" then it should only have 2 characters, I hate saying 5 syllable names like two-for-ty-es-ex

[Exitspeed]

^Agreed, Id love for it to rock the Celica name
but it seems almost played out. Although it could help bring back some nostalgia and older guys will be more interested.

I think if they are going to use any variation of "FT86" then it should only have 2 characters, I hate saying 5 syllable names like two-for-ty-es-ex

cause you just end up saying "the coupe" or "240".

[mRodiek]

True, but I still like a shorter name. It also makes it easier to refer to when talking cars with people who arent as familiar with these kinds of cars.

[Exitspeed]

True, but I still like a shorter name. It also makes it easier to refer to when talking cars with people who arent as familiar with these kinds of cars.

Yeah I was agreeing with you.

It's funny because manufacturers swear Americans prefer a letter/number nomenclature, but when I talk to "non" car people they don't even understand what the nomenclature means or what it stands for.

Actual names just make more sense to me. Like I've said though, as long as it's not a Scion (which would still not ruin it for me since emblems are easy to replace) I don't care what they call it.

[Cal]

I say FT is a logical name, especially iF it's a scion(TC).

[ej25ti]

i seriously hope they dont badge it as a scion!
i dont think the car has enough power to be labled as the new supra...
im not sure if im for the celica badge...

[1moretoyforme]

^I do whole heartily agree!

[mRodiek]

I say FT is a logical name, especially iF it's a scion(TC).

Good point. I think with the 3 brands Toyota has, it only makes sense to brand it a Scion because that brand appeals to the younger crowd that want cheap cars that are easily modified, Toyota is the boring gas-friendly one, and Lexus is the deluxe brand.

[DownhillMR2]

"FT" doesn't make any sense for the name of the vehicle. "FT" is a Toyota internal code for "Future Toyota". Thus, the FT-86 is referring to the fact that the new 86 will most likely be produced. Driving about in a Scion FutureToyota just doesn't make sense. :P I don't know about rebranding it to Scion for US sales, though. If you look at Scion sales, they've consecutively gone down the last three years.. And besides, the Toyota brand needs something exciting. They could do what Nissan does, and I'm sure they'd be fine. Example being: Nissan makes the Versa, the Altima, etc etc. Boring, family sedans, with nothing in the way of performance. At the same time, Nissan is throwing down the 370Z and the GTR, and all models are selling equally well. No reason Toyota couldn't pull that off as well.

[ra23celica]

Toyota could call this the Levin or Trueno in Japan and Celica elsewhere around the world, in those markets that are not Hachi Roku savvy. Or they could revive a really old model name, the 2000GT, from the late 1960's. Two litre, six cylinder, RWD, fabulous car...

[Exitspeed]

Toyota could call this the Levin or Trueno in Japan and Celica elsewhere around the world, in those markets that are not Hachi Roku savvy. Or they could revive a really old model name, the 2000GT, from the late 1960's. Two litre, six cylinder, RWD, fabulous car...

Only thing about that is that it would HAVE to be a 2 liter then. And it seems more then one engine will be offered. Plus in the US the name 3000GT is synonymous with Mitsubishi and 2000GT is just too close.

[Cal]

Only thing about that is that it would HAVE to be a 2 liter then. And it seems more then one engine will be offered. Plus in the US the name 3000GT is synonymous with Mitsubishi and 2000GT is just too close.

Good point I saw the name 2000gt and assumed it was mitsubishi till I read further.

[Exitspeed]

Good point I saw the name 2000gt and assumed it was mitsubishi till I read further.

And this statement coming from an actual car person. The masses would be seriously confused.

[Cal]

^ very much so confused. This same confusion is why I think it needs a new name.

[csusza2000]

since I'm European I wouldn't mind the Celica name , but it would be great if Toyota would come up with a new brand name.

[HyperFX]

Hopefully this is how Toyota will look in the future.

Future Scion tC (working prototype)


Future Supra (they made a working prototype for the Geneava auto show in the past. A beautiful car!)
So hopefully the ft86 is rebadged as a Celica or just name the darn thing "FT-86".

[ej25ti]

lol it's NOT gonna be FT-86
:P :P :P

[ej25ti]

also, considering the car is being based of the corolla, i doubt it will be badged as a celica, but just my opinion

[West]

Zomg the redesign has been revealed! haha

Sadly, some days I look at the FT-86 and all I see is a RWD modernized Celica, and so I honestly feel it will be a celica.

My deepest fear is the car getting bitch slapped with a tC badge in America. If that happens, I will somehow buy 51% ownership in Toyota and change its name. Come that time, I will post up my paypal address for donations! lol

[ra23celica]

Scion is not good for this car and Celica may just divide more than conquer. Needs a new name, or a really old one for sure. Should we start a poll for a name?