The Toyota FT-86 concept cars have become the darlings of the Japanese automotive press – specifically, in the Japanese tuner car magazines. As seen HERE, both the regular concept FT-86 and the Supercharged FT-86 G-sport Concept have graced numerous auto enthusiast publications since their respective debuts.

Impressively, the FT-86 G Sport Concept car even graces the pages of the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon Official Book as the headline car on the cover! Stay tuned to this thread as our members scan and share the latest magazine covers and articles featuring the FT-86!

We previously wrote about a “GPS Track Day” technology feature which is said to be debuting in the upcoming Toyota FT-86. The GPS unit was tested in a fully race prepped Lexus IS-F last year and HERE is a video of a test conducted with a Lexus IS-F at the Fuji Speedway, comparing a real life lap to the data collected by the GPS unit and uploaded for comparison.

As shown in the video, the technology seems extremely accurate and we can’t wait to see it demonstrated on the FT-86!

One bit of FT-86 technology news that came out of the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon where the FT-86 G Sport Concept was unveiled with a “Toyota GPS track day unit” that is set to debut with the production Toyota FT-86 sports coupe. The technology was co-developed with the creators of the Gran Turismo franchise and Denso. The GPS unit was tested in a fully race prepped Lexus IS-F at the Nurburgring last year.

The GPS Track Day feature will allow the driver of an FT-86 to drive a real track, such as Fuji Speedway (as pictured in photo of dashboard above) or the Nurburgring, then remove a memory card from the car, plug it into a Playstation unit and either “”watch” your lap virtually or race against yourself, as your real car appears as the “ghost car” that you battle against.”

Read HERE for full details of this technology and for DISCUSSIONS.

Toyota has just unveiled this GAZOO made FT-86 G Sport Concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon! It’s been a while since we’ve seen new images of the FT-86 and we’re happy that it’s in the form of a TURBO performance version! Full set of photos and specs are located HERE.

Follow this THREAD and our FORUMS for continued coverage!

Autocar’s Japanese correspondent Peter Nunn recently spent some time with the creator of the original Nissan Z-car – the Datsun 240Z – Yutaka Katayama. Of the current Nissan 370z, Katayama was initially a fan of the car, but felt it was overly complicated. “Two hundred years ago we were riding horses, but we’ve lost that feeling of uncomplicated freedom nowadays,” said Katayama. “A horse has no tachometer or whatever, but man can still control the speed and enjoy riding the horse. Keep it simple – that’s the way it should be.”

While bemoaning the price and overcomplexity of the new 370z, Katayama described what ideal modern Z-car would be.

“To Mr K, the Z-car should be simpler – styled like a thoroughbred, but with a price accessible to young people,” says Nunn. “It should offer the same kind of character and involvement that you can get from a Mazda MX-5, or even a Caterham.”

Katayama has been impressed with the Toyota FT-86 concept, which he saw at the Tokyo motor show. A Subaru-engined, rear-drive coupe “is something like a new Zed should be”, he said.

Full article HERE.

EVO magazine’s most recent issue (the “EVO Car Of The Year Issue”) has coverage on the Toyota FT-86 and Subaru 216a, including an article with the following enticing title:

“TWO FOR THE TRACK — NEW JAPANESE COUPES BOTH SET TO GO RACING”

The article makes reference to a special low-frills competition version which will sell for less than $22,000! The source close to Toyota told EVO that such a version will be tweaked for racing with special stiffer suspension and larger, more powerful brakes. This competition/track FT-86 will also be used for drifting competitions. This is the first time we have heard mention of a competition/track version of the FT-86 and while we’re completely thrilled at the prospect of a competition model, it makes the wait for it that much harder!!

Read the entire FT-86 articles from EVO magazine HERE.

Check out this Red Panda design scheme rendering featured on the cover of Japanese tuning magazine “Option.” We love the red panda paint design and the classic Watanabe wheels, as well as the front aero kit! No doubt we’ll see some member here with this look on their FT-86 shortly after the car becomes available.

Original forum post here: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210

According to Autotelegraaf, a senior Toyota official has confirmed that there may indeed be a convertible version of the FT-86 coupe if the demand proves to be strong. This is the first mention we have heard from Toyota regarding a potential convertible version. Unless it’s already under testing currently, a convertible version of the FT-86 would likely follow a year after the coupe version first becomes available. Join our discussions on this topic HERE.

The official also revealed that no name had yet been chosen for the production version of the FT-86 concept.

Our members have come up with some great looking speculative renderings of a FT-86 convertible. Check them out HERE.