Spy shots on 2012 Toyota FT-86 Unveiled

2012 Toyota FT-86 is like a ghost. Well, we have to put up that way because the spyshots we got from our colleagues are nothing like what Toyobaru – it is the fusion of Toyota and Subaru – shown at 2011 Geneva Motor Show under the name Toyota FT-86 II Concept. There is tingling feeling every time we hear about the Toyota and Subaru and we all get like, “Oh come on… put it into production, already….”

The truth to be told, we are starting to get it why the Toyota and Subaru are taking their time incubating the 2012 Toyota FT-86 which we think it’s the only major sticking point for the old Toyota Celica coupe was the styling, which didn’t appeal to the larger global market.

Wait… 2012 Toyota FT-86 is a coupe? It seems like it if you take a look at the spyshots. If the FT-86 is intended to be the next generation, oh wait, that came out wrong, it is not the next generation, it is more like the FT-86 is the transformation of the old Toyota Celica with the touch of Subaru.

The spyshots showed a production of 2012 Toyota FT-86 sports car, as it is testing its engine and rubber on the famous German Nurburgring track. The FT-86 sports a deep front air-dam, chunky side sills and some new aerodynamic elements at the back. It is impossible to miss that big wing spoiler which looks even more impressive, but somewhat similar to those used on Subaru TSI models in the past.

However, the styling elements of the 2012 FT-86 concept coupe sports car have been toned down a little, especially when it comes to the window frames. Fortunately, it looks like the powertrain will not change, meaning that it will feature a front-mounted four-cylinder “boxer” engine displaying 2.0-liters and developing around 200 horsepower in base trim.

Question: So, is the prototype we are showing you ripping off the Nurburgring track as a base model? Hmm… that is tough one to answer. Well, judging by the large double exhausts and big wing, our answer is: “It is probably not”.

Since the 2012 Toyota FT-86 concept coupe sports car still covered by the magic sheet, we are using the probability principles. Probably, the FT-86 is a turbocharged version which could send 300 horsepower (or more, because we know that Toyota and Subaru share the same passion about performance) to the back wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. Probably the 2012 FT-86 concept coupe sports car will have six-speed automatic as its optional variant. Other possibilities we could come up with is that a limited-slip differential will also come as standard, as should a set of lightweight 18-inches alloy wheels.

The horizontally-opposed boxer engine’s compact size and shape on the 2012 FT-86 Toyota concept coupe sports car allows the powertrain to be mounted lower and further back towards the rear which giving the car a lower center of gravity and a dynamically favorable front-to-rear weight.

2012 Toyota FT-86 concept coupe sports car will be completed with direct and port injection to ensure output and fuel economy are good. We expect to see a production-ready version of the concept coupe sports car at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show this November. First sales could start as early as the beginning of next year.