Quote:
Originally Posted by chulooz
Yes, I still believe him to an extent, he was so general there is not much concrete evidence to believe yet. But no, I love the collaboration, for years my Toyota and Subaru have lived side-by-side, and I am not a die-hard fan of any brand really.
-Toyota's code name is ft86 (not subaru's)
-Still very limited word from Yamaha (Secrecy is not a bad thing though)
-While the engine is new, horizontally opposed engines are Subaru's stomping grounds I promise there name and engine code will be on it (FA20)
-RWD is NOT specifically a Toyota AE86 trait, and subaru has had concepts and test with RWD.
-Who provides the tranny is nearly irrelevant to platform/drivetrain development, how its made is what is important.
Lets just wait and see. I predict that most parts will be stamped with Subaru's companies, dont forget who is showing you all of the drivetrain components for this model.
And IMHO all of this "re-incarnation of the AE86" is just hype/BS to get attention. This car may share common traits, but taking free rides on the legacy of another car is cheap marketing. And when Subaru says they played an integral role in this cars mechanics, how can Toyota decide that it is the "spiritual successor to the 86"?
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-yes subaru has never actually called it the "FT86", but the fact that toyota unveiled the first concept YEARS ago must mean
something...
-the fact that yamaha is even involved means toyota is involved. how much is anyone's guess but it surely isnt 100% subaru.
-yes of course subaru is known for their boxer engines. and this is where i think the "controversy" comes up. subaru proudly sees this as their contribution. but one must wonder how heavy a hand toyota must have had in the development of the engine. D-4S? a toyota system. yamaha involvment? toyota connection. is toyota simply "outsourcing" the drivetrain development to subaru?
-subaru is known for their AWD. IIRC this will only be subaru's second RWD car...
-who provides the tranny is NOT irrelevant. subaru uses CVTs and automatics from jatco. toyota uses Aisin. this car will have an Aisin tranny. now if this was a subaru developed car, why not use the trannies that they have been using? why use a toyota part? unless of course toyota provides the tranny, and subaru simply bolts it up for them in the factory...
the bottomline is this. everywhere you look, the car is bursting with toyota involvement. from the D-4S system to yamaha to Aisin, AND... AND the styling is 100% toyota.
what i get from the interviews is that toyota is the unofficial "leader" of the project. subaru is a partner in name but not exactly equal. exterior design is 100% toyota. drivetrain is subaru based but has a lot of toyota technology/components. how "subaru" is the engine when it contains so much toyota technology? subaru hardly uses gasoline direct injection, AND they are using D-4S. now do you think subaru engineers will work on the engine tuning exclusively while toyota engineers, who actually developed the system, stand idly by?
to me it's looking a lot more like toyota is "outsourcing" some of the development to subaru and calling it a joint venture. subaru is very defensive about this. when the press ask if toyota is the leader they boast proudly of their involvement. toyota doesnt do this. they dont have to. perhaps to them the car speaks for itself...