Update: Subaru/Toyota Coupe CONFIRMED!!1!

[snaab]

Group project: stick a Subuaru motor in an RX-8 and call it a day.

Takers? Anyone?

[zaxrex]

Putting an engine in: Easy
Getting a gearbox to fix it to: Hard
Getting all the accessories to fit (turbo, IC, exhaust...): Impossible?

[Sabre]

Putting an engine in: Easy
Getting a gearbox to fix it to: Hard
Getting all the accessories to fit (turbo, IC, exhaust...): Impossible?

Nothing is impossible... After working on the Bronco for over a year now... I've realized just how easy/hard it is to do just about anything. Last night Matt was cutting off (With a grinder and a Sawsall) the upper perches of the front suspension so that we could fit longer struts on up front. We've done a ton of work which I would not have even dreamed of doing two years ago. All you really all you ever need to do this type of work is a Sawsall and a welder Since I have access to both now, a new world seems open to me!

[Mr Kleen]

Possible but damn expensive on a brand new ride. Would rather the turbo come from the factory.

[Sabre]

Possible but damn expensive on a brand new ride. Would rather the turbo come from the factory.

Oh, I totally agree it would be nice if it came from the factory like that, I'm just not holding my breath after seeing the above

[Cereb Daithi]

Nothing is impossible...

That's one thing I've learned with cars. Granted there are SOME things that can't be done but you can do a LOT. The way I look at is... that car was built using methods that I can replicate easily. They don't use some sort of top secret experimental technology to build it using parts from skunkworks. If they can build it, someone else can too.

Though I'm inclined to agree IC piping would require some modification...

I don't know if I want to see this car with a turbo or not. I mean I know I'd like to. But a light NA simple RWD coupe seems a little more appealing than a turbo one for some strange reason. Hey it worked for the Elise...

[Mr Kleen]

Spy Shots: Toyota-Subaru coupe prototype caught ringin' der Nürburg

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/gallery/toyobar ... -the-ring/

[Mr Kleen]

Rendered Speculation: Subaru's 250-hp FT-86 coupe in STI trim

Despite dropping all the information about its Tokyo-bound concepts, Subaru hasn't hinted at when we'll be seeing its version of the Toyota FT-86 coupe. Thankfully, Japan's Holiday Auto has stepped up to the plate to throw more fuel onto the fire with a subtly modified sketch of the FT-86 and some possible powertrain information of Subaru's first rear-wheel drive coupe.

According to the report (and a heaping helping of common sense), the Japanese rumormongers expect the STI version of the coupe to debut at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show (after the standard model is revealed next year), complete with Subaru's 250-hp EJ25 2.5-liter boxer. Similar to the dual-injected, 200-hp EJ20 fitted to its Toyota brethren, the engine will remain naturally aspirated, but a turbocharged version hasn't been ruled out.

In addition to a wider track and upgraded tires, wheels and brakes, expect the STI version to don a gaping front fascia and a sizeable rear wing, similar to the camo-covered mule we saw in the latest round of spy shots. If Subaru wants to compete with the rest of the high-horsepower sports cars in the U.S. and Japan, it better get cracking, because competition is fierce, and the only way it can compete is to keep the price down and the weight in check.

http://www.7tune.com/subaru-086a-sti/

[schvin]

hot damn!

[Sabre]

Looks a little 370ish... but I like it all the same

[zaxrex]

*Cough*Pictures *Cough*
When I hear someone say Hi-Rez pictures, I get to thinking somewhat larger than 800/600.
Why no hood open -- Maybe there isn't an engine in there?

[Mr Kleen]

*Cough*Pictures *Cough*
When I hear someone say Hi-Rez pictures, I get to thinking somewhat larger than 800/600.
Why no hood open -- Maybe there isn't an engine in there?

the GT5 footage showed a brief shot of the engine. the intake manifold was red and had "FT-86" on it. with that low hood it'll have to have an FMIC...

[Sabre]

I like it Now I really hope that Subaru doesn't break tradition and bring out a RWD car...

[Mr Kleen]

so far this is one of my favorite shots. I hope the production version keeps all these cool details and the CF accents. and I really hope the Subaru version is as good looking.

[Mr Kleen]

VIDEO: Toyota FT-86 runs the 'Ring, sounds awesome

[Sabre]

Looking GOOD!

[Mr Kleen]

Rendered Speculation: JDM rumormill reports Subaru's FT-86 will get turbo power, AWD



if it looks like this and gets a factory turbo, I'm SOLD (AWD not necessary).

[Sabre]

Agreed! I like it much more than the Toyota counter-part!

[scheherazade]

Man... if this thing could only tip in at like... 2800 or less.

That would be such a winner.

-scheherazade

[Mr Kleen]

Rumormill: Subaru version of Toyota FT-86 to be bigger, get substantially more power, AWD
250 Hp, but still NA; $30k price range; larger (and heavier) than Toyota version. but still just rumors at this point...

[Sabre]

Can you say 2011 SVX? We knew you could.

Funny, I didn't even think about them bringing this back as the SVX, but in seeing it, they just might!

Very interesting news indeed...

[Mr Kleen]

Toyota launching G Sports Series cars at Tokyo Auto Salon

But, the real news is the G Sports Series FT-86. Because it's the FT-86 is still officially a "concept" Toyota isn't revealing any hard data beyond RWD, 2.0-liters and six-speed manual. Good enough for us. As far as the G Sports Series version goes, it's a little busy and the rear wing is beyond unnecessary. Still, we're quite excited.

Especially as the front of the FT-86 might just be revealing an intercooler. Which would mean a turbocharger. Or is that just a fancy radiator? Well, you know the Subaru version is going to have an intercooler...

[chicken n waffles]

i can see the subie in that front end

[Sabre]

i can see the subie in that front end

This is going to be interesting for sure!

[Mr Kleen]

Report: No AWD for Subaru version of FT-86 "Toyobaru"

Japan's Best Car (via 7Tune) apparently reports that development costs associated with Subaru's version of the Toyota FT-86 sport coupe have become so high that all-wheel drive is now being dropped from the equation. If true, this would deprive the widely-expected Scooby coupe of the feature the brand's entire marketing platform is built on, likely leaving us with a pair of clones whose only major difference will be styling. To that end, it's also reported that an effort is underway to more substantially differentiate the Subaru coupe's look from the Toyota FT-86 beyond grilles and badges.

Of course, nothing's official until these cars are formally introduced, but yanking AWD from the Subaru effectively leaves us with a Japanese version of GM's old Camaro/Firebird scenario, assuming both cars really do come to market. Frankly, it's hard to see why Subaru would even bother going with this sans all-wheel drive coupe, though the Herculean PR spin they'd have to put on it would likely be hugely entertaining ("This is what we wanted all along...").