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Subaru BRZ, Toyota FT-86 production models may look nothing like their concepts

Despite years of teasers and concepts, we might actually know very little about the production versions of the Subaru BRZ and the Toyota FT-86 rear-wheel drive sports cars.


US publication Car & Driver claims to have it on good authority that an agreement exists between the two manufacturers that neither will reveal a single production body panel of their rear-wheel drive sports coupes until their official unveilings at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

Subaru Australia’s David Rowley said he was not personally aware of any such agreement, but confirmed the first time the world would see the production version of the Subaru BRZ was at the Tokyo show, which starts on November 30.

Rumours out of last week’s Frankfurt Motor Show suggest the new models’ engine will use a Subaru block and Toyota’s port and direct-injection system, with a maximum power output of around 149kW (200hp).

Neither Subaru nor Toyota have officially confirmed any performance specifications at this stage.

Both models will be built by Subaru at its Gunma plant in Japan, with production to start in the first half of next year.

According to Car & Driver, Toyota has been responsible for the basic design and styling of both vehicles, while Subaru took the lead in engine and chassis development.

Subaru officials have reportedly claimed the BRZ will have a centre of gravity 450mm from the ground – putting it in the same league as the Porsche Cayman and the Ferrari 458 Italia.

Subaru Australia is yet to confirm its plans for the BRZ, but will make an announcement on the philosophically challenging rear-wheel drive model later this year.

The Toyota FT-86 (or whatever it is eventually called in production form), will go on sale in Australia around the third quarter of next year.

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