No Subaru FT-86 for Australia! And currently no Subaru AWD version production plans.
Also reported on FT86club blog.
Hey Guys firstly id just like to introduce myself, i have following this website along with all the others about the FT-86 development and i have found some major news, so major that i decided to register and tell everyone about it!
Subaru has confirmed that they will NOT be making a Subaru 086 model! Nada! Nothing only the Toyota version will make it to production!
"Toyota says it is even considering a convertible version of the FT-86 and a higher-power version."
""There are elements of that car (FT-86) that don't fit with our Subaru DNA in Australia," Senior said. "We understand that car is a global car and we will at sometime have to sit down and think about how it fits in terms of all-wheel drive and some other things.
"But where I sit today it doesn't fit and it would be a brave decision to take it. At the moment I would say we are unlikely to see it as a Subaru.
"The obvious issue is it is rear-wheel drive and quite plainly no-one is building an all-wheel-drive version at the moment so there is one key thing.
"We have hung our hats on all-wheel drive for nearly 12 years now, so why would we step away from something that has been ultra-successful for us and given us the highest share of any major Subaru distributorship in the world?" "
This is from a popular and verified australian motoring website!
Here is the link:
http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Mi...MiniSiteID=186
Quote:
Subaru Australia's all-wheel-drive-only policy has put the kibosh on a new rear-drive sports car being co-developed by Subaru and Toyota. By BRUCE NEWTON in Tokyo.
Bad news Subaru fans. The controversial FT-86 sports car co-developed with Toyota almost certainly won't be coming to Australia as a Subaru.
That was the news delivered at the Tokyo motor show by Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior soon after the Toyota version of the boxer-engined rear-wheel drive two-seat coupe was unveiled.
At the same time Senior also gave the thumbs down to the STi version of the Exiga people-mover and a carbon-roofed Impreza STi both launched today.
But he didn't have to even kibosh the star of the Subaru stand, the gullwing Hybrid Tourer Concept, because it will never be built.
"There are elements of that car (FT-86) that don't fit with our Subaru DNA in Australia," Senior said. "We understand that car is a global car and we will at sometime have to sit down and think about how it fits in terms of all-wheel drive and some other things.
"But where I sit today it doesn't fit and it would be a brave decision to take it. At the moment I would say we are unlikely to see it as a Subaru.
"The obvious issue is it is rear-wheel drive and quite plainly no-one is building an all-wheel-drive version at the moment so there is one key thing.
"We have hung our hats on all-wheel drive for nearly 12 years now, so why would we step away from something that has been ultra-successful for us and given us the highest share of any major Subaru distributorship in the world?"
Senior said the Exiga 2.0GT tuned by STi was unlikely to come to Australia because the mainstream version hadn't been lauched here yet. He also said Subaru Australia's preference was for complete STi models rather than 'tuned by' models.
He ruled out the Impreza WRX STi Carbon as a Japan-only model which would not be available in Australia.
Meanwhile, the Hybrid Tourer Concept includes some significant future technologies including a direct-injection 2.0-litre boxer petrol engine, a hybrid two/motor all-wheel drive system and lithium-ion battery pack.
The Tourer also includes the latest development of Subaru's Eyesight preventative safety system called Eyesight Plus.
The current Eyesight system will be tested in Australia later this year by Subaru and should flow into upper-spec Liberty and Outback models within a couple of years.
Eyesight uses stereo camera technology to provide collision assistance such as lane departure warning. Eyesight Plus adds 3D imagery and road-to-vehicle communication technology and features like blind spot warning.
Subaru also confirmed today that it would start selling hybrid vehicles in Japan in 2012. But they will not arrive in Australia until years later, Senior said.
|
Sorry for the Subie Fans! |
