Comments on: Subaru version of FT-86 may not be AWD

By: blitzkrieg

blitzkrieg — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:51:48 +0000

Why bother subarau,no AWD,its becoming less and less of a subaru and just more toyota.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:31:32 +0000

As much as I want this thing to be good I just feel it won’t be. For it to sell well it must be a good balance of looks, price and performance. It will weigh at least 1200kg and while 149kw is nice (if it actually produces that much) – the lack of torque at 200Nm is more meaningful. Such a car would be lucky to better 15.5s over 400m. This car would struggle to sell for over $35,000. Perhaps if it had an Audi badge it could sell of $50k.

I mean sure the performance will be OK but this is 2010. A hot hatch now cuts 15.0 if not quicker and handles well while being totally practical. this car is taking away some practicality and will need to replace that with superior handling. Coming into the market with a 1/2 second slower 400m time is not a good start. It’s going to need to beat a few skeptics around the head with great performance to convince people it isn’t just another Paseo, MRS, Celica.

The main competitor is 3-door VW GTi – at $40,000. Nice interior, good handling, better badge credentials, more practical, faster (and does it a lot easier with more torque).

Without a turbo the Toyota would need to be at least $5,000 cheaper.
Funnily enough in the UK the direct competitor to the AE86 was the Golf GTi.

By: XxsoloxX

XxsoloxX — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:12:44 +0000

Toyota FT 86 is going to be 2500lbs ish, which is a little over 1000kg mark. It’s a bit longer than a Audi TT and a bit shorter than a Lotus Evora.

By: Steven

Steven — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:39:02 +0000

Subaru should just badge it an Sti and not a Subaru.

By: Gene

Gene — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:27:09 +0000

The Toyota is probably going to be $45-50k to compete with the MX-5. No convertible but more powerful, they will chase the same group of buyers

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:20:48 +0000

I can’t see Subaru throwing years of “symmetry creates balance and control” advertising in the bin. They have created a unified message across their range that AWD is superior to both FWD and RWD so I simply think it will go against what they have worked so hard to build. I think it will come down to different markets getting either the Toyota or Subaru variant based upon market acceptance and sales rather than having both in the same segment. Yowza is spot on though Toyota need a sports car very badly, something to inspire car enthusiasts to buy their cars again!

By: Fenno

Fenno — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:41:28 +0000

Knowing Toyota though It’ll be $50k ++++
Just look at the idiotic pricing they put on the MR2 and the Celica.

By: Mitch

Mitch — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:18:12 +0000

I think it will weight more than 1100kg aswell. Corolla weights 1250 and im sure the rear wheel drive set up with heavier than FWD.

By: Valet Dabess

Valet Dabess — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 02:34:49 +0000

45 000, dam… i hope it cheaper. and i’d buy toyotas version over the subaru any day

By: yowza

yowza — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:36:01 +0000

Subaru doesnt really need an image boost for performance down here in Oz. The WRX and STi, not to mention the B-Spec GT Liberty are fantastic performance wise.

Toyota needs a sports coupe/performance based car much much more than Subaru at the moment, considering A) Toyota doesnt have 1 the last 5 years B) They need image boost and direction of company requires it.

Toyota just need to make sure that it comes out here in Oz, with a below 45K price range. 149kW for a 1100kg vehicle (stock) is nice.