FT-86 Concept

[generx]

One of my first cars was an MR2 so I'm fond of small, light RWD cars. The 1-series does NOTHING for me design-wise. For a weekend track car, an S2000 was my choice, for something different, I'd totally consider this.

Just a concept derived from the old AE86 but I'm really liking the design direction. Check out the interior:

Toyota Ft 86 Concept — Autoblog

[Weasel]

Looks pretty fun, so I guess it is just a waiting game to see if it ever comes to fruition...

[Thunder22]

I was just reading an article in an older Road and Track saying that Toyota isn't building any "sports cars" because the Japanese consumer isn't interested in them. Even the after market tuners in Japan are going out of business.

[Mister2]

Originally Posted by Thunder22

I was just reading an article in an older Road and Track saying that Toyota isn't building any "sports cars" because the Japanese consumer isn't interested in them. Even the after market tuners in Japan are going out of business.

So true. Gone are the days of the Supra, MR2, All-tracs, and AE86. Toyota USA has gone soft like tissue.

To the OP: Interesting design but I'll wait until production comes out. Too much hype right now like the hybrid Supra that's been going on for years.

[generx]

Mister2, that looks like a nice SW20 (I had a 94T at one point) You're so right, Toyota has gone into hibernation and there really hasn't been an entry level enthusiasts car in a while, the last ones were the MR2 Spyder and (kind of a stretch) the Celica.

It seems like all they've been producing in the last decade are cars for the newlywed and nearly dead.

Originally Posted by Weasel

Looks pretty fun, so I guess it is just a waiting game to see if it ever comes to fruition...

For sure, the production version is getting close to launch and it's scheduled to start selling in Japan in 2011, who knows when/if they will actually sell it here.

Originally Posted by Thunder22

I was just reading an article in an older Road and Track saying that Toyota isn't building any "sports cars" because the Japanese consumer isn't interested in them. Even the after market tuners in Japan are going out of business.

With the founder's grandson Akio Toyoda at the helm, he's really pumped some new blood into the company and greenlighted the LF-A and V10 GS-F. With the exception of the "ToyoBaru" FT-86 mashup, it's all moved upmarket because they've recognized that there is a high-end market niche.

Some of the lower tier tuners are not doing so well, the higher end ones are doing well. Although not Japanese, companies like Novitec and Mansory continue to grow.