Rumor: FT-86 Release Postponed and Design Changed

[Hachiroku]

According to Japan’s “Best Car magazine”, the FT86’s release date is set to be postponed a further 2 years with the goal posts being shifted from a 2011 release date to 2013.

Toyota are offering two reasons for this reported delay. It is said that the design is going to be amended yet again, indicating a fresh source of frustration for fans of the car the world over. Toyota appear to have gone to lengths to reiterate that the concept we have all seen at the 2010 TMS was only that; a prototype and they have left the door open for further changes to its shape.

Best Car has also said that according to the data from the newly formed TMJ group (Toyota Marketing Japan), fears exist that the release date for 2011 may be premature – with a global economic slowdown effecting sales and with expectations that the sports car market is going to take longer to recover.

With the car slated to be displayed again at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2011, Toyota are also said to be taking a hard look at the success of Honda’s CR-Z, with its hybrid engine the main focus and this may end up influencing the development of the FT-86.

Interestingly, Toyota is said to be planning to sell the car in Japan for a little over 2,000,000 yen – quite cheap in itself but it is too early to say for certain.

Indeed many things about the development of this car are uncertain and this cannot be helping the confidence of the legions of people hungry to get their hands on this car when it does in fact go on sale officially.

As it stands, this latest round of reported changes lend lend themselves to the impression that Toyota appear to be doing their best to score an own goal with this car.

Source: Best Car Japan via 7tune

Don't know how reliable this info is, but I wouldn't bank on it 100%, especially with all the previously wonky rumors coming out of Japan's auto magazines regarding this car.

[Agam]

i'll take this article with a grain of salt since its from 7tune/best car. If it's true that's pretty disappointing.

[Michel]

Jeez..

Well.. I hope all of it is just rumor.

[TheRoadWarrior]

Yeah I agree.. there is plenty of demand for this car. We'll have to wait and see I guess

[A-Spike]

This is getting very frustrating, Toyota.

[ack154]

Rumor or not, the lack of ANY other news of this car (or any updates for that matter) do not making it promising. I guess it's time to start looking elsewhere for my next ride...

[Dark]

I'm not going to buy that word.

[Chemist]

Well, how does this compare to other rumors that have turned out to be false?

Disappointing if true, but I hope it triggers a confirm/deny response from Toyota if they can muster the weak strength of their P.R. department.

[ichitaka05]

k, where did the 7tune got the article? Best Car Japan? But there's no ref site or anything.

If Toyota really did delaying this ft86 project to 2013 then why they haven't announced it?

[Dark]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

k, where did the 7tune got the article? Best Car Japan? But there's no ref site or anything.

If Toyota really did delaying this ft86 project to 2013 then why they haven't announced it?

Exactly. I only trust what Toyota has to say.

[Sleeperz]

According to this poll, the FT86 would need a redesign to be a hatch and to compete with other hatchbacks like the CRZ, 370Z and maybe the Ford Focus.
Might as well throw in the Porsche Panamera since they are trying to appeal to a higher age demographics.


http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=479

[Midship Runabout]

Originally Posted by The Rumor Mill

As it stands, this latest round of reported changes lend lend themselves to the impression that Toyota appear to be doing their best to score an own goal with this car.

Typo there for i do not believe.

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by Sleeperz

According to this poll, the FT86 would need a redesign to be a hatch and to compete with other hatchbacks like the CRZ, 370Z and maybe the Ford Focus.
Might as well throw in the Porsche Panamera since they are trying to appeal to a higher age demographics.


http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=479

I'll take on comparing CR-Z & FT86... but comparing Z, Panamera & FT86 is just wrong. Unless FT86 gonna come out w H6 engine, it's no way of comparing.

[Siriusly.Andrew]

why would they wait? Yeah we're in an economic depression right now, but we've got money right now, that we are willing to spend on the FT-86 as is (and as posted, 200hp, lightweight etc etc). Waiting for the depression to pass is just ridiculous! (IMO).

And why would they be looking at the FAILBOAT CR-Z? That thing is over weight, under powered, WWD, and gets pretty crappy MPG for a hybrid, even if its supposed to be quick.

I just don't believe anything in that article. Its just a LOLTHREAD again.