Toyota FT-86 Design Rejected - Confirmed for North American

Toyota has decided a new direction is needed with the FT-86, and has not given the greenlight to the concept shown at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.  News of the decision comes from blog 7tune, which is reporting that Toyota's U.S. design house, Calty Design Research, will design the final product instead of the European and Japanese teams.

Still, FT86Club snagged an interview with Toyota US chief Jim Lentz, who confirmed the car will come to North America.  He said the car will not be a revival of the Supra name in North America, and that it will be brought to market sooner, rather than later.

We expect that the car's final design will be approved in the coming months, as the market launch is imminent.  If it is true that the European team's Tokyo concept was rejected in November, designers have had four months to work out the problems.

Of course, this decision raises many questions, as one look on the comments posted to WCF suggests the Tokyo concept design was popular with Toyota enthusiasts.

The Toyota FT-86 is a joint project with Subaru, who will provide a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter boxer engine.  Subaru will also sell a version of the car, possibly modifying its body.