Toyota-Subaru sports coupe will launch in late 2011 - report

This car should be awesome. Reminds me of the first Datsun 240Z which offered alot compared to the competition at that time in the 70s.

I am afraid this article is a translation I did and posted on my blog, which was then copied in the ft-86 club's forum. The original source is correct though. I have reported also this issue on the forum. The correct source of this translation is this: http://jp-cardesigncorner.blogspot.com/2010/12/toyota-ft-86-subaru-216a-they-come-at.html

This is going to be a good car for sure, but I doubt it would offer the experience you get from the original AE86, which weighs less than a tonne, and has a revvy engine with an awesome tone, sounds better even than today's 2ZZ-GE or Honda's K20A. Probably the closest thing nowadays to the original AE86 would be the Lotus Elise S (base model).

I think what both Toyota and Subaru need to truly ensure the success of their FT-86 models is to incorporate a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) with paddle shifters on the steering column. I'm sure a lot of you will say "blasphemy!" Not really--take a look at the success of the DSG transmission on the VW GTI and the surprising success of the Porsche PDK tranmission (and that's in spite of the substantial cost premium for PDK!)--both have proven that with a properly-engineered DCT the car ends up being _faster_ on a closed-circuit road course than with a traditional manual, since you don't have to deal with the physical act of using the clutch pedal and trying to find the right gear with the transmission shifter.

I was a big Subaru fan for a long time, and drove a series of them for almost two decades. But the company keeps trying to have it both ways when the tout their vehicles 'low center of gravity'. If having a low center of gravity instills better driver confidence and superior handling, why did they drop the standard Legacy wagon in favor of selling only the jacked-up Outback? The flat four (or six) engine's lower profile can't compensate for a suspension that now rides at Jeep Cherokee heights. To be sure, buyers of station wagons are not generally buyers of performance coupes and vice versa. But why should the need to carry cargo mean settling for a ponderous, floaty barge?

Is it just me, or does this car actually reminds me of Hyundai Veloster. Not sure of the name.. lol

@napoleon4208 It's not just you, I thought so too! I still think the Veloster is better looking car than this one :)

@Sacto8780. Although DCT or DSG might be more comfortable than normal manual gearbox, this car NEEDS manual gearbox. It saves weight and gives true driving pleasure and clutch pedal gives drifting abilities. NO DSG FOR MY FT-86!

Yes I'm familiar with DCT's, haven't driven any RWD DCT's though. I see your point and if they can do a lightweight and properly working DCT, it should be an option for the car. Better lap times and fuel economy in everyday driving and possibly quicker acceleration. However on my opinion FT-86 should be simple and light, cheap and raw driving machine with cluch pedal and stick. No driving aids to take the driving from the driver. DCT adds price and is more expensive to service but I have to admit it is very good alternative for manual gearbox = ).

Subaru NEEDS this car to be successful much more than Toyota does! Toyota's chances are pretty much 'sorted' anyway! The Scooby MUST use an AWD chassis to be a 'true Scooby'. Think Corolla Coupe with turbo engine and RWD and that's what Toyota needs to reinvent with the FT-86. Hope it's all worth the hype!!