This is Toyota’s FT-86G, the second concept in quick succession from the Japanese car manufacturer that previews a rear-wheel drive sports coupe coming in 2011. Unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the latest FT-86 show car has a sleeker and more aggressive look, after the more rounded and shapely lines of the concept revealed at the 2009 Tokyo motor show.
How does this new Toyota FT-86G differ from the first FT-86 concept?
The looks are the major departure, with the new lines giving the ‘G’ a much sharper set of metalwork. There’s a larger front intake – complete with visible intercooler – vented bonnet, a very big rear wing, a proper diffuser and two huge twin exhausts. The tweaks also mean the second concept car is slightly longer and wider than its predecessor.
Underneath the new skin the FT-86G remains rear-drive, but the Subaru-soured 2.0-litre ‘boxer’ engine has gained a turbo (hence the intercooler), and the harder-edged concept also features Recaro seats and 19-inch Bridgestone rubber.
Japanese sports car fans are already hoping it’ll be a worthy successor to the Nissan 200SX, and Toyota is more than happy to indulge their passions – the FT-86G was released along with a trailer for Gran Turismo 5 which features the concept (digitally) smoking its tyres.
So when will I be able to buy a Toyota FT-86?
Not for another two years or so, but our spies have already snapped an early Toyota prototype lapping the Nurburgring. Subaru is also involved in the project – hence the flat-four engine – but has yet to reveal the look of its version. Both the Toyota and Subaru coupes should be released some time in 2011.
Anything else?
Yes. The ‘G’ moniker for the second FT-86 is part of Toyota’s new plans for customisation. The G Sports Conversion Series will be gradually rolled out in Japan from mid-2010 and is designed to offers customers the chance to personalise the exterior and interior of their cars, and give them performance tweaks as well. All G-series cars come with sports suspension, aero add-ons and racing seats, and the same test drivers who raced the Lexus LF-A in the Nurburgring 24hrs have signed off all the changes. It’s all part of Akio Toyoda’s plans to make Toyota the producer of exciting cars. Our favourite? A rather funky Prius.
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