Toyota Plans to Increase Pricing on the FT-86

[West]

Just reported by AutoCar UK, the highly anticipated Toyota FT-86 is expected to receive a price hike due to ballooning development costs. When the concept was officially announced at the Tokyo Motor Show 09 its expected target price range was set to be around $18k in Japan. With the release of the FT-86 almost 21 months away in early 2012 its easy to believe changes and further R&D is needed. Yet, sadly the FT-86 concept we've seen so far appears to be near production ready. So lets hope Toyota stays on course and plans no changes in the wrong direction. Keep in mind the FT-86 has gone in hiding sine its last visit to Geneva, whats happening behind those closed doors Toyota?

Supposedly Toyota R&D team is focused on minimizing fuel consumption, apparently the 2.0 L Subaru boxer DS-4 engine is not efficient enough. Which is a bit hard to swallow. The FT-86 is expected to weight about 2700lbs, and so any motor will be efficient. So please Toyota, if we've waited 25 years for the "New AE86", make the motor a good one, we didn't wait this long for a .4 liter upgrade and better fuel consumption its primary focus.

Reportedly this could raise the cost of the FT-86 to $20 - $23k, and shift the FT-86's target market.The head of Toyota's newly created sports vehicle department, Tetsuya Tada reports his team had increased the target age group by 10 years, from the 30's to the 40's!? After "market research" reveled that fewer younger buyers woud opt for the sleek coupe than first reported. Mr Tetsuya Tada, you are so dead wrong.

Now the good news is, this really isn't news. Everyone is already expecting this car to hit the 20k sweet spot, and if trims are similar to what we see now its a fair price. Dont get a big head Toyota, just remember you haven't earned that many new fans yet. If Toyota sways from this cars original target market it would be to their disadvantage, the FT-86 is popular because of its CURRENT target market. If you target 40+, it will leave Nissan an open market and thousands of aging fans looking for a new cheap RWD sports car, and the FT-86 cant overtake the Z market, maybe you should bring the Supra back for that... just a thought.

[Boostaholic]

I dont care just give it to me already!

[ProZach626]

If this car competes with the legendary Z, it's going to be a mistake. VQHR reliable power vs. turbo 4 cylinder will have the majority going for the 370z. (imo)

So what's 20-23k in Japan dollars convert to in the US?

[Exitspeed]

I've said the sweet spot is $25 on this car. And we can't really go by just converting UK prices to dollars because it never comes out that way. Same with Japan.

I'd still expect this thing to be $21k-$29k.

[Rok Bee]

Targeted to 40 year olds?!

Guess they want to make the car a Lexus...

[Exitspeed]

I'm going to file this in the severe speculation folder.

[Cal]

^
That.

I am chalking this up along with 7tune's BS articles.

[Nemesis]

This doesn't sound right. Why would going from 20-23k move the ft-86 into the 40 year-old market? I am 34 and 23 seems cheap. I'm betting this is base and they could be compensating for the turbo being needing to be in the $30 range. The re-tooling of the boxer engine could be due to the complaints about horsepower seen on all the websites. Most are expecting big things from this car....maybe the little sucker is getting beefy? Keep in mind efficiency can mean horsepower to weight ratio(for the engine) as well.

I would say this is an odd rumor, because it is slightly believable and slightly bogus sounding. All in all, if it is true: make it awesome and keep it reasonably priced. I don't want a econobox wannabe and I don't want a bugatti that I can't afford. I'm still excited and still want more details...

[West]

I don't really consider it BS. Autocar is pretty reputable. They were the ones who got the interview with Jaromir Cech at ED2 in Geneva. Although this is one of those statements which can be made with no real credibility.

However we have never really had a solid grip on the pricing. 20-27k I can see happening. As we all discussed in our thread on pricing. However, I think we are talking base to "Gazoo/TRD" model on the high scale. Hoping for a Turbo model.

[HyperFX]

Considering the original ae86 having a target demographic of economic drivers, the age group should begin with 17 yr olds and end with retiring individuals who just want to capture youth once again. That being said, toyota is famous for various trim levels aimed at different price ranges. Ve, le, xle, etc. Therefore a stock ft86 should begin at $18000 and the Gazooks $28000. Just give a little and make everyone happy Toyota!

[Brick]

At least the more expensive they make it the less kids will be driving it; and that's good for everyone's insurance rates!

[Cal]

At least the more expensive they make it the less kids will be driving it; and that's good for everyone's insurance rates!

Don't forget the cool factor. Anything that too many teens drives instantly becomes lame.

[ChazToyota]

That's what this car is supposed to be. A replacement for the old Supra. They already have a base 2dr coupe in the tC and I would love to see them drop the 3.5L v6 engine in this vehicle and pair it with a hybrid system or the AWD system that Toyota or Subura already has in place.

I'm hoping at the next training session to start pumping the Toyota reps for some "REAL" information on this vehicle. All I have to say is I will let the information flow as soon as I know it to be true.

I have been waiting for this vehicle for quite a while myself so I am hoping that it will not be a 2.5L engine unless it is a turbo charged 2.5L from Subura.

[ej25ti]

That's what this car is supposed to be. A replacement for the old Supra

I think they said that's not really what they're going for...

Don't forget the cool factor. Anything that too many teens drives instantly becomes lame.

couldn't be truer!

[Exitspeed]

That's what this car is supposed to be. A replacement for the old Supra.

You are absolutely....WRONG. This car is in no way shape or form supposed to be a Supra replacement. Again, Toyota made a statement that they have NO PLANS to release a Supra replacement. NONE. ZIP. ZERO.

And how in the world would you consider this a Supra replacement and not an 86 replacement when the concept itself id called FT86.

[G4BROKE]

Wow..this is all a mess in the news...maybe meant to be? ..not a response to members in this forum..lame...I get different info from other areas..and it's just wrong. Else it's meant to get emotions rolling. Honestly...I don't believe what has been in the news...and don't care to follow until the testing is done. Then everyone could decide to get a Toyota/Subaru ......... or a Kia...(likely cheaper if you're into that).

My Op: future sports cars concepts will be hybrids until intro of full electric....else straight petro (traditional)....until the fuel taxes really kickin.