Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB - View Single Post - FT-86 II Concept Photos from Geneva!! Motherload of photos.

Rickster · 02-28-2011, 10:55 PM

Hey guys, this is my first post. Been a lurker for quite a while though!

So I've been working in the car industry for a couple years now, unfortunately for one of Toyota's competitors, but a thought I'd share a few of my opinions with you all who care to read. Now again, I'm stating these are my OPINIONS, so I'm not starting any rumors!!

1) To figure out the price of the vehicle, let's first figure out who the competitors for this vehicle are. Toyota used to have a Celica, and MR2, and a Supra as we all know. All 3 in different segments and different competitors. I believe the FT-86 is going to be a 370z competitor, a Hyundai Genesis Coupe, and RX-8. The price range for these vehicles are $22k - $29k. I can see the base FT-86 starting at around 23-24k, this would be the version which comes with 17" wheels, maybe a standard CD player, regular sound system, and most importantly, a different motor, maybe 225-245hp. Now I see the top of the line (the version we will see in Geneva and the NY Auto Show) being the $29k starting price version. The rumor was the car will be priced under 30k, this is right, but it's common in the automotive industry to have a low starting price but it can quickly go up depending on trim/options. Look at the 370z, it's a sub-30k vehicle, but if you get the top of the line trim, you're looking at 40k. So bottom line, I believe this vehicle will start around 23k for the base - but if you're looking for the top of the line, 300hp version, and a few amenities, expect to spend about $32-34k.

2) The carbon fiber. It's beautiful. BUT, don't expect it to be on the production version IMO. I believe the car will not have any exterior carbon fiber, it's simply not cost effective enough for a vehicle around 30k. I believe these carbon fiber accessories will however be offered if you want to customize your vehicle. Scion is a highly customizable brand, these items could be on the vehicle to test/gauge opinions of the public in order to determine if they would be suitable for an accessories line. Think of it as the F-Sport for the Lexus IS series.

3) Size/Weight. To most of us, this is the 1st/2nd most important aspect, with emphasis on the weight. Originally it was said it would be around the size of an S2000 (162.7 inches). I believe since then, the vehicle has increased in length by 2-3 inches based on pictures seen. I'd expect the size to be closer to the 370z (167.2 inches). My guess, expect the car to be around 165.5 inches long. As far as weight is concerned now, for comparison sake, the 370z is 3,232lbs but 332hp. That's about 9.73lbs per horsepower. While I'm not solely basing my weight estimate on this math, I think if the 370z is a direct competitor, the weight for this vehicle, if 300hp, would be around 2950lbs. Essentially, just shy of 3000lb.

Again, these are just opinions.. Thoughts?

02-28-2011, 10:55 PM	#149
Rickster Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Drives: IS350, 350Z, 335i Location: DC Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Hey guys, this is my first post. Been a lurker for quite a while though! So I've been working in the car industry for a couple years now, unfortunately for one of Toyota's competitors, but a thought I'd share a few of my opinions with you all who care to read. Now again, I'm stating these are my OPINIONS, so I'm not starting any rumors!! 1) To figure out the price of the vehicle, let's first figure out who the competitors for this vehicle are. Toyota used to have a Celica, and MR2, and a Supra as we all know. All 3 in different segments and different competitors. I believe the FT-86 is going to be a 370z competitor, a Hyundai Genesis Coupe, and RX-8. The price range for these vehicles are $22k - $29k. I can see the base FT-86 starting at around 23-24k, this would be the version which comes with 17" wheels, maybe a standard CD player, regular sound system, and most importantly, a different motor, maybe 225-245hp. Now I see the top of the line (the version we will see in Geneva and the NY Auto Show) being the $29k starting price version. The rumor was the car will be priced under 30k, this is right, but it's common in the automotive industry to have a low starting price but it can quickly go up depending on trim/options. Look at the 370z, it's a sub-30k vehicle, but if you get the top of the line trim, you're looking at 40k. So bottom line, I believe this vehicle will start around 23k for the base - but if you're looking for the top of the line, 300hp version, and a few amenities, expect to spend about $32-34k. 2) The carbon fiber. It's beautiful. BUT, don't expect it to be on the production version IMO. I believe the car will not have any exterior carbon fiber, it's simply not cost effective enough for a vehicle around 30k. I believe these carbon fiber accessories will however be offered if you want to customize your vehicle. Scion is a highly customizable brand, these items could be on the vehicle to test/gauge opinions of the public in order to determine if they would be suitable for an accessories line. Think of it as the F-Sport for the Lexus IS series. 3) Size/Weight. To most of us, this is the 1st/2nd most important aspect, with emphasis on the weight. Originally it was said it would be around the size of an S2000 (162.7 inches). I believe since then, the vehicle has increased in length by 2-3 inches based on pictures seen. I'd expect the size to be closer to the 370z (167.2 inches). My guess, expect the car to be around 165.5 inches long. As far as weight is concerned now, for comparison sake, the 370z is 3,232lbs but 332hp. That's about 9.73lbs per horsepower. While I'm not solely basing my weight estimate on this math, I think if the 370z is a direct competitor, the weight for this vehicle, if 300hp, would be around 2950lbs. Essentially, just shy of 3000lb. Again, these are just opinions.. Thoughts?