Toyota Plans To Make The FT-86 A Drifter's Dream

With clear echoes of the FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept seen at the 2007 Detroit show, the sharp, edgy exterior brings the sort of excitement that Toyota's line-up has been crying out for since MR2 production ceased two years ago. A source close to Toyota told us that while the FT-86's exterior design heralds from Toyota Europe Design in France, two other prototypes also exist, one penned by head office in Toyota City and the other by Calty Design Research in California. 'Build quality is very high,' we were told, 'and it may already look ready for the road, but don't be surprised if the exterior changes, because this car is not finished, not by a long way.'

The name FT-86, which won't be the car's final name, harks back to the immensely popular Corolla AE-86 rear-drive coupe of the 80's, the car in which Japanese drifting hero Keiichi Tsuchiya started his career, while FT stands for 'Future Toyota'. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see the car's potential to ignite a whole new generation of drifters.

In a speech to the media in Tokyo, ne Toyota CEO and Nürburgring 24 Hour race driver Akio Toyoda explained enthusiastically that the company plans to put greater effort from now on into building 'more emotional cars' and that the FT-86, and the Lexus LFA on a more extreme scale, are just the first in a long line. In justifying his racing efforts at the world's most gruelling circuit, Toyoda said 'It is important for management like me to drive our cars not only on public roads but also in competition to fully understand where our engineers are coming from.' He went on to add that he is not racing for the sake of racing, but rather testing cars like the LFA and IS-F in environments that push a car's chassis and suspension to the limits.



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M53R - 12/22/2009 1:24:37 PM

+3 Boost

This car looks and sounds promising. I just hope they keep the price down. Their new pricing is starting to get out of hand.

B7FAN - 12/22/2009 2:10:46 PM

+1 Boost

I still think it should be AWD but this thing looks awsome for real one of the first things i liked from toyota since I bought my solara in 2000.

my question is will it be in the same class as a 370Z

DinamoR - 12/22/2009 3:26:17 PM

+3 Boost

AWD? it's a racer/drifter. it definitely should be RWD. though subaru might make a AWD version, and i'll consider buying it

Joe_Limon - 12/22/2009 1:39:12 PM

-4 Boost

By adding a full degree of positive camber?

pennfootball - 12/22/2009 1:42:34 PM

+3 Boost

They should call it the Toyota Supra and use a turbocharged motor from the WRX STI! Make a world class car not a miata coupe!

DinamoR - 12/22/2009 3:27:21 PM

+1 Boost

a supra would have to be a Nissan GTR competitor (always has been). This is not a GTR competitor, this is a new AE86. Which is awesome in itself

AlleVier - 12/22/2009 6:22:01 PM

+5 Boost

Ain't you ever been to NASCAR, boy? We know how to turn left too, fool.

Spectator - 12/23/2009 10:53:18 AM

+3 Boost

Those of us born on the East Coast were fortunate to grow up drifting. Not as a televised sport...but as a way of life. Our roads are based on the old english design. Narrow, windy and with hills everywhere. Comes with being one of the 13 original colonies. This isn't, and will never be, just a fad with us. It's part and parcel of the driving experience we enjoy today.

So when you say, small, cheap, light, balanced and fast to those of us born on the Right side of the country ;-) ...your in essence describing the perfect weekend toy.

g2ok - 12/22/2009 3:24:26 PM

-4 Boost

Nobody buys Toyotas for this purpose. FAIL.

DinamoR - 12/22/2009 3:24:45 PM

+3 Boost

this is the first new car most street racers have been excited about in years

Joe_Limon - 12/22/2009 4:47:45 PM

-4 Boost

You mean street ricers?

MSP6 - 12/22/2009 3:49:34 PM

+1 Boost

Drifting is like figure skating.

lexworld - 12/22/2009 4:19:37 PM

0 Boost

Well, for one thing Badgewhore is clueless, outdated and behind the times. You are such a Toyota hater it's sad because a lot of the guys you see here are totally amazed at how the company they hated so much was due in part of their ignorance and prejudice. We hope your eyes will one day be opened because man you are missing out on the history that is being unfolded right before you eyes. Look at how Agent009 is starting to come around. This is fact! The more you dig deep into the engineering and manufacturing philosopy of the Toyoda founders the more your eyes will be opened and you will never be the same. Once you truly go Toyota, you never go back!.......ToMoCo is a automotive phenomenon.

Dr550 - 12/22/2009 5:08:41 PM

+1 Boost

I think your floor mats are loose.

Willis - 12/22/2009 4:30:46 PM

+3 Boost

Ricers rejoice!

Whelan - 12/23/2009 7:52:58 AM

0 Boost

I hope it doesn't fall into 370Z, because that car is overpriced. The Z should not be a 30k car, at least not in lower forms. I really hope Subaru makes the AWD version at least with WRX power for under 30k and I"ll buy.

The more I see it though, the more I feel they are going to overprice it from the segment they are trying to reach.

PerformanceGuy - 12/23/2009 1:13:12 PM

+2 Boost

Pretty decent looking car, should do well. Hopefully, Nissan brings back the 240SX/Silvia, like they keep saying, to compete against this.

Anthony - 12/23/2009 2:22:02 PM

+4 Boost

The typical "ricer" hater comments aside, this car is pretty exciting. Probably will embarrass the hell out of the 1-Series.