[BIGCUMBOY]

Here's what I heard about the FR-S/GT86 vs BRZ this year (from FR-S/BRZ Owners and public forums):

"It's basically a SUBARU" - FALSE
Although it's built in a Subaru factory and carries a BOXER engine, yes the engine is Subaru, but technically it's a joint project with the following breakdown:

CAR DESIGN BRIEF:
Akio Toyoda wanted to build “a sports car, bringing the passion back” in Toyota’s lineup.
Toyota’s chief project engineer, Tetsuya Tada, proposed a true sports car setup; rear wheel drive (without 4WD, mid-engine and/or turbo), something fun to drive (not powerful), low centre of gravity, and affordable (missing in the market place).

Toshio Masuda, Subaru’s senior general manager questioned Toyota’s basic concept; he wanted a turbo engine and 4WD. He didn’t get it and didn’t think it was possible (probably being owned by GM for a while brainwashed him, but luckily Toyota owns 16.5% of Subaru now, so he will be cured soon).

NOTE: In design, the design brief is the key mastermind of a final piece. Like in movies and art pieces the author, director or artist is the credited designer of a piece. (Apple doesn't have factories, they source it to existing investments like Foxconn and other factories to create these products, Can Foxconn say it's the creator? No It's just a Manufacturer, but of course in Subaru's case, it's different and they hold partial ownership).

BIG WIN:
After the prototype was showcased to reporters and Subaru, they were won over. The partnership started;
SUBARU:
Needed a good looking vehicle/coupe in their lineup, their current lineup was performance driven but amazing "flat" in looks
Toyota:
Had ownership in Subaru, to cut factory cost, they used existing resources; Subuaru’s factories (bringing the vehicle price affordable (doesn’t make sense to build a $500 Million factory just to build the GT86 or else MSRP may be $50,000)

R&D DRIVER:
Toyota’s Chief Test Driver; Akihiro
(didn’t like the prototype; he made the development team achieve the following; smooth suspension stroke for comfortable ride, amazing handling and movement that defies the moment of inertia (super stable, with LSD, etc.)
Tested globally with the Toyota and Subaru team.

EXTERIOR DESIGN:
JAPANESE DESIGN: SPORTS 800, GT2000 and AE86 inspired
Toyota’s Japanese Design Team were chosen amongst their global design team from their North American and Europe counterparts, to keep it “Japanese”
INTERIOR DESIGN: NEO-FUNCTIONALISM from Toyota’s Philosophy (shared by Subaru also) to not distract the driver from driving experience

TRANSMISSION:
MANUAL: BUILT BY AISIN (part of Toyota)
AUTOMATIC: 6 speed version, taken from Lexus ISF ($100K car)

INJECTION SYSTEM:
D-4S: Toyota was developing this future system for their cars, made the 200HP possible and fuel economy amazing

ENGINE:
SUBARU boxer engine

SUSPENSION:
REAR double wishbone and front suspension borrowed from Subaru STI

CONCLUSION: Without Toyota’s boyish good looks and design philosophy/initiation/brief, transmission system, practical interior, driver and Subaru’s engine, suspension and their joint venture in tuning this car, it wouldn’t be possible. So please don’t say it’s just a Subaru, it’s not just the engine that makes the car. Therefore it is a Toyotabaru. They both credit and they both made it their own.

A perfect example is the Celica engine in the Lotus Elise, although it’s a joint venture, in the end It’s not a TOYOTA, it’s still a LOTUS ELISE.