Toyobaru Spotted at N'ring?
10-13-2009, 08:53 AM
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Toyobaru Spotted at N'ring?
As much as I like Toyota, I prefer the Subaru variant because of the likely chance of STI power and the renderings look a lot better than the FT-86. Perhaps this is the answer that the GC8 coupe faithful have been waiting for.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/t...ype-spy-shots/
Quoted from Autoblog:
Toyota's FT-86 concept, which will be officially unveiled at next week's Tokyo Motor Show, combines attractive, aggressive aesthetics, rear-wheel drive and a Subaru-sourced boxer engine with the hopes of injecting a bit of passion into the Japanese automaker's admittedly sterile lineup. And since the vehicle has reportedly been a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru all along, we've been anxiously awaiting the Subaru-branded coupe that is sure to follow.
Last week, we gave you an update regarding Subaru's progress with its half of the Toyobaru project, complete with a sketch-tastic rendering from the UK's Autocar. Fast forward to today, and although we can't be sure if this Nürburgring-circling, cobbled-together prototype is a Subaru effort or a Toyota joint, it appears to be a development of the FT-86 that we know is headed for production.
As shot here by our friends at KGP Photography, the little coupe is well disguised, but it looks like a Fuji Heavy project to us, as it shares some Subaru design hallmarks. Up front, the masked prototype takes on the basic shape of the WRX, with bold, bulging curves and a snub nose. There is no trademark Subaru hood scoop, but the big hood has a very aggressive appearance. Out back, the car's rump is also Impreza hatch-like, with a massive rear wing disguised by some heavy camo. It isn't at all clear that what's seen here is in any way, shape or form production bodywork, but we wouldn't be surprised to see the Scooby crew adopt a chunkier aesthetic than their compatriots at Toyota.
The basic layout of the vehicle also appears to favor motivation via the rear wheels, as the 2+2 cabin is pushed back over the rear axle. The Subaru will likely sport the same direct injection 2.0-liter boxer engine currently sitting under the hood of the Toyota concept. If the little boxer can indeed produce nearly 200 horsepower as has been rumored, we're thinking it will be solid punch for the Subaru, as the Toyota FT-86 is nearly a foot shorter than an Impreza and the spy photos show what appears to be a very small form factor. Add turbocharging down the line and we suspect you've got a tuner's delight capable of taking on the big boys.
Word on the street is that Subaru isn't quite sold on the idea of the Toyota-designed rear-wheel drive platform, which may or may not be able to accommodate Subaru's signature all-wheel drive setup. We're not sure that theory makes much sense if the two are collaborating on concept versions of the vehicle, and it would be difficult to understand how Subaru could enter such an agreement without first knowing whether it could add its trademark drivetrain, but we've heard this word ourselves from Subie folks as well, so perhaps Toyota is throwing some of its weight around.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/t...ype-spy-shots/
Quoted from Autoblog:
Toyota's FT-86 concept, which will be officially unveiled at next week's Tokyo Motor Show, combines attractive, aggressive aesthetics, rear-wheel drive and a Subaru-sourced boxer engine with the hopes of injecting a bit of passion into the Japanese automaker's admittedly sterile lineup. And since the vehicle has reportedly been a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru all along, we've been anxiously awaiting the Subaru-branded coupe that is sure to follow.
Last week, we gave you an update regarding Subaru's progress with its half of the Toyobaru project, complete with a sketch-tastic rendering from the UK's Autocar. Fast forward to today, and although we can't be sure if this Nürburgring-circling, cobbled-together prototype is a Subaru effort or a Toyota joint, it appears to be a development of the FT-86 that we know is headed for production.
As shot here by our friends at KGP Photography, the little coupe is well disguised, but it looks like a Fuji Heavy project to us, as it shares some Subaru design hallmarks. Up front, the masked prototype takes on the basic shape of the WRX, with bold, bulging curves and a snub nose. There is no trademark Subaru hood scoop, but the big hood has a very aggressive appearance. Out back, the car's rump is also Impreza hatch-like, with a massive rear wing disguised by some heavy camo. It isn't at all clear that what's seen here is in any way, shape or form production bodywork, but we wouldn't be surprised to see the Scooby crew adopt a chunkier aesthetic than their compatriots at Toyota.
The basic layout of the vehicle also appears to favor motivation via the rear wheels, as the 2+2 cabin is pushed back over the rear axle. The Subaru will likely sport the same direct injection 2.0-liter boxer engine currently sitting under the hood of the Toyota concept. If the little boxer can indeed produce nearly 200 horsepower as has been rumored, we're thinking it will be solid punch for the Subaru, as the Toyota FT-86 is nearly a foot shorter than an Impreza and the spy photos show what appears to be a very small form factor. Add turbocharging down the line and we suspect you've got a tuner's delight capable of taking on the big boys.
Word on the street is that Subaru isn't quite sold on the idea of the Toyota-designed rear-wheel drive platform, which may or may not be able to accommodate Subaru's signature all-wheel drive setup. We're not sure that theory makes much sense if the two are collaborating on concept versions of the vehicle, and it would be difficult to understand how Subaru could enter such an agreement without first knowing whether it could add its trademark drivetrain, but we've heard this word ourselves from Subie folks as well, so perhaps Toyota is throwing some of its weight around.
10-13-2009, 10:28 AM
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Mark,
I was reading on forumshawaii, all the kiddies were screaming mad about it being a subie in the U.S.A., and a Toy elsewhere. Honestly, if they keep the design, it will be one badd-A ****.
I was reading on forumshawaii, all the kiddies were screaming mad about it being a subie in the U.S.A., and a Toy elsewhere. Honestly, if they keep the design, it will be one badd-A ****.
10-13-2009, 11:25 AM
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hmm, seems promising thus far. I miss RWD. riding shottie in my friend's M3 makes me miss rear-wheel motivation. the crispness of turn in and the feeling of the power going only through one differential...i miss my AE86 dangit!
10-13-2009, 11:55 AM
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dumbass
10-13-2009, 01:42 PM
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What I don't get is why these people view boxer engines as bad.
1) Boxers are used in aircraft.
2) Boxers are MORE expensive to build from manufacturer.
3) Boxers have more stability.
4) Porsche 911, Cayman, original VW Beetle, Subaru
5) Boxers have a lower center of gravity.
6) Boxers offer much more lower end torque than inline-4's.
7) Boxers are shorter and lighter than conventional inline-4's.
8) Boxers are wider engines, forcing bodies to be wider, which is always better.
9) Stroke balance. Every piston movement is counterbalanced by another piston movement.
1) Boxers are used in aircraft.
2) Boxers are MORE expensive to build from manufacturer.
3) Boxers have more stability.
4) Porsche 911, Cayman, original VW Beetle, Subaru
5) Boxers have a lower center of gravity.
6) Boxers offer much more lower end torque than inline-4's.
7) Boxers are shorter and lighter than conventional inline-4's.
8) Boxers are wider engines, forcing bodies to be wider, which is always better.
9) Stroke balance. Every piston movement is counterbalanced by another piston movement.
10-13-2009, 03:14 PM
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I think the main appeal people have with regular inline fours is that you have to ring them out to extract the power. While I love a high-revving engine as
much as the next guy, what fun is it having a car where you can unleash full power only certain times. It's not like you can drive around town at 8000rpm.
much as the next guy, what fun is it having a car where you can unleash full power only certain times. It's not like you can drive around town at 8000rpm.
10-13-2009, 03:55 PM
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