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Toyota launches FT-86 App
Just one day ago it has been confirmed that both Toyota FT-86 and Subaru BRZ will make their world debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in December. Until that days arrive Toyota has found a solution to keep us busy: with a special App called "FT-86 World Report". However, prepare to be disappointed; very disappointed in fact. While everyone was expecting an online experience that allows us to drive the car around the Nurburgring race track Toyota thought at something else. Their application add a rendering of the FT-86 onto a photo you take and then upload it to the FT-86WorldREport.com website. The application will also let you see how many other people showed interest in this app. The application is also available for iPhone4, 4S and iPad2 and you can download it here.
Toyota FT-86 and Subaru BRZ confirmed for Tokyo debut
 
The wait is finally over! After long and drawn out wait, it has been officially confirmed: both the Toyota FT-86 and the Subaru BRZ will make their highly-anticipated world debuts at next month’s Tokyo Motor Show. Both models will be displayed in final production form, although its best to point out that according to Toyota officials, the production version of the FT-86 won’t have anything in common with the concepts seen before. Both models will be powered by a Subaru-derived flat-four engine, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. For the FT-86, Toyota has confirmed a total output of 200 HP, while output for the BRZ will be kept "under 300 HP." The two models will be almost identical, with subtle and individual changes being made to the wheel designs and to the front grille. As for the Subaru version, a few things have also been confirmed: it won’t get a turbocharged or an all-wheel-drive version. Convertible versions has also been denied. Both models will go on sale in mid-2012, with priced for Toyota model to start from about $20,000 and for Subaru from $25,000. 2012 Toyota FT-86 Race Car
Both the Subaru and Toyota versions of the FT-86 will be making their world debut in December at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, but Toyota will be utilizing their ingenious marketing strategies to unveil a race version of the FT-86. The car will make its debut at the German VLN series on the Nürburgring race track, similar to how they revealed the Lexus LF-A race car. It’s becoming sort of like a tradition of sorts for Toyota and Lexus to race with prototypes. The FT-86 race car will be similar to the production model, but with a few changes to make it appropriate for the race track, including a huge rear wing, a roll cage for maximum protection, and improved performance. This means that the car we will be seeing at the Nurburgring will look almost the same as the one expected to arrive in December. All we need to do is train our eyes to strip away the livery so we can get a clear view. We will have more details about this car after the official qualification tomorrow. UPDATE 10/14/2011 : Fresh off the press, we have some new spy shots of the Toyota FT-86 Race Car as it qualifies itself around the Nurburgring. We also have some closeups of the racer from the pits, where the exterior and interior details are shown off in full glory. Enjoy! Spy Shots: Toyota FT-86 Racecar Makes its Nurburgring Appearance
 Both the Subaru and Toyota versions of the FT-86 will be making their world debut in December at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, but Toyota will be utilizing their ingenious marketing strategies to unveil a race version of the FT-86. The car will make its debut at the German VLN series on the Nürburgring race track, similar to how they revealed the Lexus LF-A race car. It’s becoming sort of like a tradition of sorts for Toyota and Lexus to race with prototypes. The FT-86 race car will be similar to the production model, but with a few changes to make it appropriate for the race track, including a huge rear wing, a roll cage for maximum protection, and improved performance. This means that the car we will be seeing at the Nurburgring will look almost the same as the one expected to arrive in December. All we need to do is train our eyes to strip away the livery so we can get a clear view. We will have more details about this car after the official qualification tomorrow. 2011 Subaru BRZ Concept
At this rate, we’d probably use a paddle and a canoe to get to Frankfurt, Germany for the year’s biggest automotive event. That’s how huge this event is shaping up to be and it’s about to get even bigger after Subaru has announced their intention to bring a new "technology concept" called the BRZ Prologue - Boxer Sports Car Architecture II. The BRZ, which stands for ’Boxer engine’, ’Rear-wheel drive’, and ’Zenith’, could very well be the Japanese automaker’s answer to Toyota’s version of the FT-86 that, ironically, the two are co-developing. We don’t know exactly what to expect from the BRZ other than thinking it will be an RWD sports coupe and that it "embodies ultimate passion for the new sports car and confidence in its distinctive trademark and core technology." Subaru hasn’t revealed anything other than announcing that they’re bringing the car to Frankfurt and that the start of production is being planned for the spring of 2012, but hopefully, everything becomes crystal clear when the biggest auto show of the calendar year opens this September. UPDATE 09/13/11: You remember when we said that we didn’t really know what to expect from the Subaru BRZ Concept heading to the Frankfurt Motor Show? Well, we certainly didn’t expect what we saw. You see, we where actually expecting something tangible that could take the look of a concept car. But what we got looked something like an X-ray mock-up version of the concept, which incidentally still doesn’t have all the elements that would constitute an actual car. What we did find out, and its something that could prove useful in the future, is that the car will carry a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed Boxer engine that features Toyota’s direct-injection technology called the D-4S. UPDATE 09/22/11: After being postponed for some time, Subaru will finally be bringing a full concept version of the BRZ sports car to the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show in November. However, this concept won’t reveal anything about the production version scheduled to appear in December. Turns out, both Subaru and Toyota have agreed not to display anything from the final production version of the BRZ or the FT-86 until the vehicles’ official debuts in Tokyo. So we’ve basically been chasing the BRZ and FT-86 carrots only to find out they are actually turds. Not cool. (Car And Driver) 2011 Toyota FT-86 II Concept
While everyone was expecting to see the production version of the Toyota FT-86 sports car, the company has decided to tease us with yet another concept version of the car. Called the FT-86 II, the new concept made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show and, according to Toyota, it takes us a step closer to the final design of its next sports car. Since Toyota has decided to aim its next sports car at younger buyers, they’ve stepped up their game with a more attractive exterior design. Although we are a little perturbed that we received a second concept instead of a production model, we have to say that the added work on the FT-86 II does make it look a lot better. Guess some extra hours at the drawing board paid off after all. As did the design inspired by the legendary 2000 GT which was first displayed at the 1965 Tokyo Motor Show. Toyota may have had to bring out two concepts to get the design just right, but after being postponed more times than we would like, sales for the Toyota FT-86 will begin in Europe in 2012. Prices will start from around $25,000. UPDATE 09/07/2011: With the Subaru BRZ Concept revving its way into the Frankfurt Motor Show, there was no way Toyota would be missing the opportunity to showcase the BRZ’s competition - the FT-86 II Concept. So, in true competitive fashion, Toyota will also be at the Frankfurt Motor Show with its "faster, lighter, and sportier" FT-86 II Concept. Check out the teaser video by clicking on the image above! UPDATE 09/16/2011: A few days ago Toyota promised a new version of the FT-86 II Concept for the Frankfurt Motor Show, but the images Toyota has unveiled only show a new exterior color. Don’t worry Toyota, we know you’re in this thing with Subaru and we haven’t forgotten about the FT-86. Hit the jump to read more about the Toyota FT-86 II concept. Full story Toyota and Subaru sports cars to be revealed at the Tokyo Show
The FT-86, in either Toyota or Subaru forms needs no presentation. Everyone knows how this car will look like and for sure we won’t get any surprises from either of the two companies. And we will finally see the production version of the car. Both Toyota and Subaru will bring the production version of their sports car in December at the Tokyo Auto Show. The model will go on sale in 2012 and the Toyota version will be sold as a Scion FR-S on the US market. While Toyota offered us all the design glimpse you might have needed with the launch of three different concept cars, Subaru has only revealed a a transparent concept detailing the car’s boxer engine, rear-drive architecture and suspension. And if you were hoping to see an all-wheel-drive version from Subaru, we have to bring you a sad news: Japanese sources familiar with the program say there are no plans for an AWD version. On the other hand, a good news reveals plans for a convertible version and even a compact sedan to target the BMW 1-Series. Video: Toyota FT-86 II Concept stars in Gran Turismo 5
Until Toyota will decide to finally bring the production version FT-86 sports car, the only possibility to actually drive the FT-86 II Concept car is while playing Gran Turismo 5 video game. Well, at least is something, even if the trailer is obviously created by CGI. With this trailer, the FT-86 II has been added to the very long list of cars to be featured in GT5. And all we can say is enjoy your ride, at least until you will actually enjoy the real car! Refresher: the FT-86 II Concept made its debut early this year at the Geneva Motor Show and according to the company it will be most realistic preview of the production version set to arrive in 2012. The sports car is rumored to be powered by a 2.5-liter boxer-four engine that produces 305 HP - an engine shared with its Subaru sibling. 2011 Geneva Motor Show Recap
Now that the 2011 Geneva Motor Show has come and gone, it goes without saying that the event was arguably the biggest and most successful auto show since the 2009 IAAs in Frankfurt, Germany. Some might contend that, but as far as we’re concerned, its been a while since we had an auto show that has been as widely attended by almost all automakers in the world quite like what we saw in Geneva. And while we may have been introduced to a lot of the cars that were launched in Geneva beforehand, there were still some models, mostly of the concept variety, that took us by surprise. Most of these models weren’t previewed before the event so when the Geneva Motor Show opened its doors, just about everybody in attendance and those keeping tabs over the Web didn’t see these cars coming. But now that they’re here, we can take a look at the models that made the 2011 Geneva Motor Show that much more interesting. Check out the list after the jump Full story Toyota considers hybrid technology for their FT-86
After potential customers took a look at the first Toyota FT-86 concept, they weren’t exactly over-the-top thrilled with what the automaker had accomplished. Taking this information and running with it, Toyota set out to right their wrongs with the first rendition of the FT-86 by coming up with the FT-86 II revealed at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. All of that modifying and Toyota may now be taking a step in a different direction with a possible hybrid version of the sports car. When asked by AutoExpress whether or not a hybrid FT-86 was possible, a Toyota spokesman said: "Why not? It’s no secret we’ve been considering a hybrid sports car for a while." The FT-86, as well as its Subaru version, will be powered by a 2.0-liter flat-four boxer petrol engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission with compact dimensions for its standard version. The production version of Toyota’s FT-86 may be coming out as early as the 2011 New York Auto Show in April under the Scion badge, while the Subaru version is being promised for the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. Subaru is currently working on making their sports car more aggressive and aerodynamic. Both versions are expected to go on sale in 2012. In the meantime, Toyota is going to have a tough time convincing people this is going to be a true sports car when they are already considering hybrid technology for a car that hasn’t even been produced yet. | featured reviews:Toyota FT-86 latest reviews:
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