A representative from 7tune was recently invited to a Toyota press day for G’s, the sports vehicle oriented arm of Toyota Japan. They were given access to Toyota’s innermost engineers and sports department managers. Naturally, the FT-86 topic came up quickly. This is what they have shared with us here [full details].

Summary:
– 20 min. Q&A with Dr. Shigeyuki Hori, Project General Manager for the Sports Vehicle Management division and Kazuo Okino, Group manager for the same division
– FT-86 development schedule is on time (confirmed categorically) and alleged release delays (until 2013) are false
– Toyota reiterated its intent to release the car by the previously appointed date, in November 2011
– Development is 50% complete
– Target price remains steady for mid-level spec FT-86 – approximately 2.5 million yen (approximate $29,000 USD) for Japan Market
– No decision yet on turbocharging
– Production version overall body shape and design will remain virtually unchanged from concept model
– No hybrid version being considered (whew!)

>> [FULL DISCUSSION HERE] <<

Fans of the Toyota FT-86 G Sports Concept can continue holding out hope that a production version may be built at some point. Toyota Australia has just confirmed that the Turbo FT-86 G Sports Concept which was revealed at the last Tokyo Auto Salon will make its Australian debut at this year’s Australian International Motor Show, which will take place in Sydney October 14-24. [DISCUSSIONS HERE]

Based on the FT-86 concept unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show late last year, this modified, turbo-charged show-piece was developed to help promote Toyota’s new G Sports styling kits, exclusive to the Japanese market.

At the launch of the original FT-86 concept in Tokyo, Toyota President Akio Toyoda said the company needed to reconnect with younger buyers by producing fun-to-drive models.

Please see HERE for more INFO and PICS on the FT-86 G Sports Concept.

Recent Toyota trademark applications in the U.S. and Canada have revealed a newly registered model name of ‘FR-S’. Is this the name of the production version of the FT-86 concept?

We think it just may be as the FR-S likely stands for Front-engine, Rear-wheel-drive, Sports car.

The U.S. trademark application (No. 85049145) was filed on May 27, 2010 for “Automobiles and structural parts thereof”.
The Canadian trademark application (No. 1482643) was filed May 27, 2010 for “Automobiles and structural parts thereof”.

We very much like this name, as Toyota has kept the name simple. It actually reminds us of the days of the MR2 / MR-S.
So what do you think of this name? Share your opinions with us HERE.

Via 7tune:

According to Japan’s “Best Car magazine”, the FT86’s release date is set to be postponed a further 2 years with the goal posts being shifted from a 2011 release date to 2013.

As it stands, this latest round of reported changes lend lend themselves to the impression that Toyota appear to be doing their best to score an own goal with this car.

Source: Best Car Japan via 7tune

According to R&T, Toyota is currently working on a “baby FT-86” sports coupe to slot in under the Toyota FT-86. The baby FT-86 is expected to be priced at $5000 less than the FT-86, which makes some sense since it’s been recently reported that the FT-86 will come to market at a price tag slightly higher than Toyota’s original $20,000 target.

Hence, the baby FT-86 sports car will fill Toyota’s sub-$20k sports car slot. The rumor is that the car will measure 150 inches overall length and be powered by Toyota’s 1.5L inline 4-cylinder 3SZ-VE engine, good for 109bhp. The drivetrain will feature a front engine and rear wheel drive. Rumored debut date is 2012.

Discussions on the baby Toyota FT-86 HERE.

The original Toyota FT-86 concept is being shown by Toyota at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show currently underway in China. Although the FT-86 has not yet been shown at any North American auto shows, this move by Toyota goes to show the increased importance placed on the Chinese market by the world’s car manufacturers.

Not much new is shown since this appears to be the same original concept car first debuted at the past Tokyo Motor Show. The only new element seen is the trunk being opened during prep for the show, which is likely a fuel cell (placed there just for concept use purposes). The open trunk also shows that the FT-86 does not feature a hatch (as some speculated) but a standard trunk.

[SEE FULL PHOTO SET HERE]

Autocar is now reporting that the Toyota FT-86 pricing will be higher than originally planned. The FT-86 price will be upped in Japan from the original $20,000 starting price to $23,000 (with a fully loaded FT-86 being approximately $26,000). The FT-86 development team is also planning on reducing fuel consumption from the Subaru boxer engine (instead of increasing power).

Finally, in terms of target demographic, Toyota has now upped the increased target buyer age from 30’s to the 40’s. This is due to Toyota market research which indicated that not as many young buyers would purchase the FT-86 coupe as the company originally predicted. Discuss this report HERE.

The Toyota FT-86 is on the list of “25 Cars Worth Waiting For” in years 2011-2014 says Car and Driver Magazine in their May 2010 issue (tell us something we don’t know! ;))

The article doesn’t provide any information that we haven’t already discussed on our forums, but C&D predicts that the car may revive the Celica nameplate for the production version of the FT-86. The author also recognizes that although a rumored 170hp 2.0L engine may sound underpowered, it may still provide plenty of thrills if paired with a lightweight nimble and dynamic chassis (using the 167hp Mazda Miata as a good example). And if 170hp isn’t adequate, C&D predicts a 230hp turbo version will follow. Finallly, they peg the price point at just above $20,000 USD.

See the cover and article INSIDE.