The BIG BRZ Bickering Brief!

[Weasel 555]

We’ve been waiting a long time for the Toyota FT-86. Literally, because we’ve seen a lot of the concept. But figuratively, too: Toyota is promising the FT-86 will deliver a return to sports car purity that is driven by feel and intuition, not lap times and lateral grip levels. We’ve wanted a car like that for a long while.

“Sports cars have gotten boring,” Toyota says. “They’re only interested in going fast.” The FT-86 is meant to amend that, to bring speeds down but take the enjoyment up, not unlike the Caterham 7 Supersport which we’ve fallen for recently.

The FT-86 is on a new platform that has been co-developed with Subaru (whose Subaru BRZ will be distinctly similar). We still don’t have all the technical details because it’s some way from launch – sales start in June 2012, following the production car’s unveiling at the end of November 2011.

What I can tell you is that it’s “as small as possible for a four-seater sports car,” which means it weighs 1280kg. It has a 2.0-litre flat-four petrol engine in the front, naturally aspirated, which is supplied by Subaru but gets Toyota’s D4-S direct injection system. It makes 197bhp.

The key things to add are these: it drives the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox and a Torsen limited-slip differential. And the tyres are the same modest 215/45 R17 items you’ll find on a Toyota Prius.

Oh, and the ESP can be completely switched off.

Read More: autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Toyota-FT-86-first-drive/259779/

Pics: autocar.co.uk/car-reviews/toyota-ft-86-2.0/259779/pictures/toyota-ft-86-2.0.aspx


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[rotarymania]

Official BRZ/FR-S specs leaked

200hp, 151 lb-ft torque, and just 2660 pounds (wet).

Will make for a fun light carver.

[Sasquatch]

I just read in Car and Driver 2800 - 2900 lbs.

[RayfieldsWRX]

Another episode of "As The Enthusiast Car Turns":

• Rumors surface that Manufacturer X may build new version of the famous FT6-47Q Turbo GT. Folks who watch that sort of thing murmur amongst themselves.
  
• Manufacturer X shows a prototype at the Metropolis Car Show! Clark Kent reports in The Daily Planet that there is a good chance of a production model. The enthusiast world rejoices!
  
• Japanese car magazines toss around various fictional specifications for the model. Much debate rages in online forii about whether those fictional specs are adequate.
  
• The car is announced to much buzz and hype! True believers line up! Web landing pages crop up! Everyone is excited!
  
• By the next year the model is picked apart daily in car forums because it fails to make 400hp/weighs too much/costs too much/has black side skirts. Great divisions emerge amongst the brethren. Brother fights brother.
  
• Look, a butterfly!!

[Sasquatch]

[rotarymania]

BRZ STI concept revealed:
Subaru BRZ STI Concept (2011) Revealed! - Scion FR-S Forum | Subaru BRZ Forum | Toyota FT-86 Forum | ft86club

And a BRZ test drive review:
Subaru BRZ Prototype First Drive Review: "Off the Chart" (Motor Trend) - Scion FR-S Forum | Subaru BRZ Forum | Toyota FT-86 Forum | ft86club

MT calls it "Off the chart" !!

So which is better looking - BRZ STI or the Scion FR-S?

[Karlosnived]

brz sti hands down for me, i don't think they could've done much better

[Mikie13]

Wow..if that's the true design...that's hot. I'm in.

Edit: I will be in once Subaru adds AWD and a snail

[GarrettKoonsman]

Im with you. Until it has AWD and a turbo its not going to wow me. But I don't think they would make an STI version without a turbo

[Sasquatch]

Wow..if that's the true design...that's hot. I'm in.

Edit: I will be in once Subaru adds AWD and a snail

Im with you. Until it has AWD and a turbo its not going to wow me. But I don't think they would make an STI version without a turbo

From what I have just read in C&D AWD is out (with currently available Subaru drivetrain components) as they moved the engine back nearly 10".

[Karlosnived]

I read somewhere that they lowered the engine too, so the awd components couldn't run under anything. Although there's probably plenty of room for them to move the engine up and forward to fit the awd system if they wanted to

[Weasel 555]

it says a concept , hopefully it makes it too production. still rwd = s4it

[mangostick]

I dont need awd to have fun, but a snail would be a definite improvement.

[Rambo]

I saw the FR-S concept at SEMA today, and my God its a great looking car. None of the pics I've seen do it justice. If Subaru sticks close to the Toyota concept, I'd be tempted to buy it on looks alone.

Sent from my Droid 2

[Weasel 555]

never mentioned it needed to be awd to be fun , just in NY winter rwd isnt exactly steller so the car for me would be a gloryfied door stop !