Subaru To Follow Tradition By Turbocharging and Giving AWD To FT-86 Variant

I would guess that Toyota will be selling the turbo-charged version as well, but I'm sure the AWD option will be Subaru only. It also won't surprise me if Subaru's turbocharged version is a better performer.

This seems like a bad deal for Toyota. The car isn't going to sell well at a Toyota store if everyone knows the Subaru version is much faster. Just like the last gen Celica and MR2, Toyota's version of the FT-86 is going to be labeled a "chick" car. That's the kiss of death in this segment...

— tundrahq (View Profile)

Posted on 10/27/2009 2:54:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

This makes sense, Subaru needs AWD...Toyota needs something cheaper to hit the masses and RWD to satisfy the reporters at many car magazines and to make it compete with the Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0 and the...ummm...hmmmm....that's all it can compete with folks. The Subbie on the other hand can make something go fast AND FINALLY LOOK GOOD OMG THE SKY HAS FALLEN MY PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED!!!!

— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 10/27/2009 3:49:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

HA. I got deboosted for posting in the "Will it be a Scion" thread saying it should come AWD with a V6 or boosted 4. Looks like I wasn't crazy after all and someone has a brain to do what is proper to this car.

Looks like I could be buying a Subaru in the next year or two.

— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 10/27/2009 3:59:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Since this car is based on the Impreza, of course it will be AWD.

— Invisible (View Profile)

Posted on 10/27/2009 4:46:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I think having both a RWD and an AWD version will be a good way to differentiate the car between Subaru and Toyota. For those who want a vehicle to drift (or pose as a drifter), the Toyota will be the easy choice. Toyota will likely be a better value for those in warmer climates as well. For the rest, the Subaru will be king.

— Shredmo (View Profile)

Posted on 10/27/2009 4:52:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Wow, if the Subaru version has enough leg and head room, I may have to seriously take a look at this in a couple of years.

— PerformanceGuy (View Profile)

Posted on 10/27/2009 5:20:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

with awd the subaru version will be heavier. it's also 20 mm longer in total and 30 mm longer wheelbase. not much of a difference but the version of subaru being a bit longer probably means the awd system will add weight. both cars will be light but i tip the Toyota version to be a better performer. Drifting is in mind as Akio Toyoda said that it will be the BEST drift car. I think the subaru will be a great car too but for what purpose? rallying? Autocross? or maybe no reason it's just that ALL of subaru's cars are AWD.

— freshseth83 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/27/2009 7:29:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

i was hoping for a rwd scoobie. no good.

i guess they have to prevent redundancy somehow.

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/27/2009 8:10:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The Sub look more aggressive and better than the Toyota. On the side not the Lexus LF-A or LFA goes from 0-60 in 3.6 second without using lauch control. Here is the link at insideline.com

http://www.insideline.com/lexus/lfa/2011/10-things-you-don-t-know-about-the-2011-lexus-lfa.html

— Lexus (View Profile)

Posted on 10/28/2009 2:00:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

For me it would be the aggressive styling, the good performance and the AWD safety and confidence. Given my daily commute is 40 miles each way on highway and parkway, with loads of turns, hills, and traffic. I need the AWD to get me to my destination. Winter tires can only do so much, the extra driving wheels give what is needed, going power to get up the slopes and around turns.

— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 10/28/2009 8:27:24 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2