Toyota FT-86 Concept Design Rejected

**West** · 02-09-2010, 10:47 AM

In the aftermath of last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota’s North American design studio CALTY has survived the selection process to have its version of the FT-86*accepted*as the basis of the new model instead of European and Japanese efforts.

Toyota Europe Design Development (ED²) was responsible for the design of the FT-86 Concept which was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show last October and was relatively well received by the public. We now know that the ED² design was rejected as early as November last year, leaving the CALTY and Toyota Technical Center’s designs to go head to head. By year’s end the Toyota Technical Center’s effort was also rejected in favor of the CALTY design. At this point*the basic design of the FT-86 is*ready with only minor changes yet to be*decided and Toyota management will make a final decision on these sometime in March. As for the new design, apparently much of the original CALTY version will remain which makes less use of curved surfaces but gives the FT-86 a higher profile*around the nose section*with increased overhang, although basic dimensions like wheelbase, height and width remain unchanged. CALTY was responsible for the FT-HS concept so it’s possible some subtle styling cues from that*design will have an impact on the revised FT-86 shape.

As far as the Subaru 216A is concerned, apparently both it and the Toyota FT-86 will differ only with badges and equipment levels despite earlier rumors of the two models differing considerably. The engine and drivetrain will remain unchanged from the D-4S direct injected EJ20 flat four for the naturally aspirated models, however the turbocharged G’s version will get a stronger differential and 6-speed transmission assuming it makes production.

**West** · 02-09-2010, 10:49 AM

This better be more of 7Tunes shananagins. All when the future of the FT-86 seemed so bright they go and change it?! WTF!

**Nemesis** · 02-09-2010, 11:35 AM

This better be bull. If this is correct, toyota just lost a ton of followers....not good that this comes at a time when their brake and gas pedal issues are flying around.....good luck toyota, I think I'll have to sit this one out......

**Cal** · 02-09-2010, 12:42 PM

I really do think this is crap. Why would they change a concept that everyone is going balls crazy over? I also find it hard to believe the Suby and FT will look the same except for badges and performance. Then again, Toyota has done that (see Chevy Prism, Toyota Corrola) with Chevy already.

**Nemesis** · 02-09-2010, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by West

This better be more of 7Tunes shananagins. All when the future of the FT-86 seemed so bright they go and change it?! WTF!

I posted this info on 3 other sites and one already had the info. Of all four sites, the majority of people that are familiar with the magazine that this info was sourced from say that this magazine is no stranger to cooked-up stories. On one of the sites there is a guy that has connections at both the calty and euro design studios, but they won't give him a straight answer, he is currently awaiting a response back from the euro design studio connection.

I am hoping this is just toyota-marketing throwing the FT-86 community a bone to chew on, to bide our time until the concept comes out. In other words: I hope toyota is just starting rumors to keep everyone buzzing so the following for this car doesn't lose it's momentum in the lull between the show last year and the reveal this year...I am crossing my fingers and holding my breath in hopes they haven't moved away from the Euro design....

**West** · 02-09-2010, 09:23 PM

Correct, we have seen 7Tune through the years and all its false reports, although sometimes they report something accurate, the majority is meant to gather interest/start controversy. Of course being fan boys we all jump in and dissect.

**Exitspeed** · 02-10-2010, 10:50 AM

7tune is notorious for this stuff.

And I actually don't think it looks THAT bad. But I'm glad it's rejected.

I have a REAL hard time believing Toyota is going to completely ignore the fact that the FT86 was probably their best received concept in a LONG time. Why they wouldn't just stick with that boggles my mind. Which means I think 7Tune or who ever this rumor came from (I lost track now) is full of shit.

**Nemesis** · 02-10-2010, 11:39 AM

Well, I was going to post a really funny picture comparison of this latest design pic and a white 2001 prius, but I can't post pics. Sorry guys.

**West** · 02-10-2010, 01:04 PM

WTF, I'll fix that asap!

Edit: Only thing I saw was attachments were disabled. Please try again.

**Nemesis** · 02-10-2010, 02:02 PM

Awh Yeah, check this out. This is why I think this is a hoax. The front end looks like my wife's 2001 prius. I betting that somebody at the source magazine made this new picture. Hey, my wife will LOVE it!

**Nemesis** · 02-10-2010, 02:46 PM

something else: I'm not sure this was mentioned before, but the ED2 concept hood and front end mimicked the last MR2, a sports car. This front end on this render mimick's the 2001 prius. I just don't think this pic is the real-deal. This picture is causing a lot of stir, but I'm sure the article is a hoax or atleast the picture is just a render made by the magazine to accompany their idea of what it looks like based on their findings.

**Nemesis** · 02-10-2010, 09:06 PM

One of the sites I go to posted some drawings of the original pic from different angles. While I was looking at it, it hit me that I found some pics of what the media was calling the hybrid MR2 back a few months ago. The design was rejected as a chubby version of the FT-HS by almost everyone, but who knows....I hope this chubby thing isn't the final version. Anyway, here is the "hybrid MR2" that apparently some people feel may be the final version of the FT-86....

**Nemesis** · 02-10-2010, 09:09 PM

my take is that the source magazine created a story based on the picture of the "MR2 hybrid", they may have thought it was a new pic because it has not been widely circulated, basically because the ED2 design was so widely accepted. I don't think this will be the final version of the FT-86.

**Rok Bee** · 02-10-2010, 09:24 PM

If you ask me it's just a sissified version of the FT-HS, another CALTY car. They can be as proud as they want too and deny the EC2 design, it's not as good. This whole report is bull.

**Nemesis** · 02-10-2010, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by Rok Bee

If you ask me it's just a sissified version of the FT-HS, another CALTY car. They can be as proud as they want too and deny the EC2 design, it's not as good. This whole report is bull.

agreed, 100%.

**Cal** · 02-10-2010, 10:49 PM

I wouldn't be surprised if the point of this story was just to get people to click on their site.

**Nemesis** · 02-11-2010, 09:05 AM

one of the members from the other sites that's got connections in both the CALTY and ED2 design studios says he got a return email from ED2, he is going to post it this morning. Sounds like I was correct in my assumption:

Nemesis- I think you are right on. I actually got an email back from one of the designers from ED2 that was involved with the FT-86 I will post some info tomorrow on my theory

I'll keep you guys posted...

**Exitspeed** · 02-11-2010, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by Nemesis

one of the members from the other sites that's got connections in both the CALTY and ED2 design studios says he got a return email from ED2, he is going to post it this morning. Sounds like I was correct in my assumption:

Nemesis- I think you are right on. I actually got an email back from one of the designers from ED2 that was involved with the FT-86 I will post some info tomorrow on my theory

I'll keep you guys posted...

Please do.

**Cal** · 02-11-2010, 11:59 AM

This just even more interesting. Eagerly awaiting info.

**Nemesis** · 02-12-2010, 08:28 AM

Here is what the guy said about his contact with ED2.

Ok ok... Since I am running behind with things at work here is what he sent me from ED2...

Quote:
i have no idea this is first time I heard this . if its true i am sincerely
sorry as toyota had no risk in going this direction.in my opinion as
everybody liked it. well lets hope in best .
So we cant really deny the rumors... But I think pretty much all design firms work on one project and then move on to the next. They don't really sit around on one project.
Sounds like even the designers are in the dark to corporate's final decisions. Still, the majority of people say this is BS. Sorry that this wasn't conclusive guys...

**Cal** · 02-12-2010, 08:30 AM

^It may not have been conclusive but still thanks for the info.

**Nemesis** · 02-12-2010, 08:32 AM

can anyone say "rollercoaster ride"?

**Cal** · 02-12-2010, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by Nemesis

can anyone say "rollercoaster ride"?

The story of the life of a car nut.

**West** · 02-12-2010, 09:14 AM

Thanks Nemesis!

I personally can't imagine the ft-86 production concept ever being approved from a corporate standpoint if it was not indeed a form of the final design. That's dollars being spent for design, build, marketing. The FT-86 as we know it today is taking the industry by storm and everyone involved is clear on that fact. Concept or not, there are serious ego's at play and one design firm over the other have no word in the final design decision of of the FT86. This will be the final design as it's not going to be overruled for a design change because of some discrepency in preferences. You don't step on the toes of CEO's who pass the production of the concept. Scions division doesn't have enough influence To overrule, nor do the other non Japan steakholders of Toyota and Subaru. This car was built and inspired to be the iconic Japanese sports car, i'm saying what we see will be it's final form.

**Exitspeed** · 02-12-2010, 09:24 AM

And again...this has been Toyota's best received concept in a LONG time. Probably since the FJ Cruiser Concept in 2003 to be more specific. You don't just ignore that. It doesn't even make sense.

**Cal** · 02-12-2010, 11:47 AM

Not to mention 7tune is nortorious for cooking up stories that have little to no solid proof most of the time citing "inside" sources as if all these people
from these companies ignore comments from everyone else but makes an exception for 7 tune.