Top Gear host Richard Hammond writes about the FT-86
 

From: blogs.mirror.co.uk

by Richard Hammond

In the past week I've read about two interesting and rather unlikely relationships.

The first is between the short jazzmaster Jamie Cullum (nowt wrong with being short, of course) and the considerably taller supermodel Sophie Dahl. The second is between Toyota and Subaru.

I'm not fussed by which celebrity is marrying who but I'm very excited by the prospect of a union between the company that brought us the Supra Turbo and MR2 and the one that brought us the Impreza WRX.

The plan is for Subaru to manufacture a rear-wheel drive coupe that both companies will then sell. Both will be powered by Subaru's famous flat-four boxer engine but each car will have its own identity.

Toyota's version will look very similar to the car that you're looking at right now.

Next week this concept car will be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show. Toyota is calling it the FT-86 Concept. If you're an anorak who specialises in Japanese performance cars from the 80s you'll know that the AE-86 was the code for the twin-cam rear-wheel drive Toyota Corolla that is a bit of a cult classic in Japan. You will surely agree that the FT-86 concept looks a bit special.

The Japanese are talking about a price on home turf of around £14,000 but by the time the car lands here in 2012, it'll probably be nearer £18k. That's still not bad for what promises to be a very desirable motor.

The Subaru engine is a perfect choice. Because of its flat-four layout it can be mounted very low in the chassis, which is handy for keeping the centre of gravity low down, and that is a nice thing for handling. Subaru's engines are crackers and although they were once a bit thirsty, Subaru has cleaned them up a lot.

I'd guess that an entry level Toyaru or Subota would have about 140bhp but a turbo engine from the Impreza could be fitted to top-of-the-range models to create a real tyre smoker.

This is a car that's going to really appeal to younger drivers. The FT-86 is shorter in length and height than the Audi TT, and also narrower. Toyota says that it'll be fun and easy to drive with "strong emotional performance". I think that means it'll make you smile when driving it.

I am looking very forward to the Top Gear episode with this car (and Clarkson behind the wheel) :D

Too many years out..

Wow, £18k huh... that's close to 29-30,000 grand. I sure hope not.

He's entertaining but I dunno if he's gonna be able to fit in this car ! :bellyroll:

I'm sure they'll talk about the car during the sitdown auto news/topics sessions during the programs. Looking forward to hearing what they have to say about it then.

DON"T do straight-up conversion between £ and $. UK prices have to include sales tax (15%), and all sorts of other little taxes, fees and importing duty.

Ahh that sounds better. Forgot about them taxes.

I hope toyota make 20-21 happen. I'll be happy to pay 25000 for a good optioned one when it comes out.

Remember a loaded Honda CR-V is $42,000 us in the UK. And the limited edition FQ-400 Evo is 51,499 bp. which is $84,000 us. Yikes!

http://www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/evo...ntentContainer

:word: I'm sure it will still hit the US at 20-21. I just hope they don't gouge us Canadians and charge something like 30k (especially since our dollar is at/near parity with the US)

im thinking 26999 for sure lol

Hammond can fit in this car no problem, but Clarkson is for sure going to rag on how small the interior space is :D

If the car is everything it is supposed to be, and if Clarkson can fit, I'm sure he will love it.

Can't wait to see this thing actually sitting in Top Gear's studios, maybe right next to the Subaru version and hopefully as part of a comparison between the Toyota and Subaru versions.

If something costs £18k in the UK, then it will most likely be priced at $18k here in the States. Currency conversion like this doesn't work like a straight up number change. A cup of coffee at Starbucks is the same number unit here as it is in London. And a person working at the Starbucks makes the same unit of money. So it sucks if you are American travelling to London, but awesome if you live in London and travel to the states, of course just sucking money wise.

I am just starting to read up on this car and am shocked that they are going for this under 20k price range. Hope Top Gear writes lots more about the car before it comes out.