Subaru's FT-86 STI Coupe Spied Testing In Southwest!

[BoostJunkie]

Originally Posted by C-Bone

Cool :-)

I just hope when it's all said and done both models don't change to much from the original concept designs, I mean I know it won't be exactly the same but I sure do like those slick body lines and that front end on the ft86

[e10rice]

This is really great to see, plus its on U.S. soil!

But im with MatadorRacing_F1, why haven't they further developed a mule closer to the production model.

[DantKR]

Too little info to get excited about

[C-Bone]

They still have over a year till the supposed release date, I believe they said November 2011.

[Shevon]

Originally Posted by blur

Actually, I just realized that this test mule is basically the new STI sedan, hacked in half at the middle, rear doors removed and taped up everywhere. The also cut a section of the rear fenders so it could fit the small size of the FT. Infact, you can clearly see the shoddy welding in the area behind the doors.

In other words, this car is not going to look anything like the pics above.

Wish we could get some actual pics already, sigh.

exactly what i want to say

[blur]

Originally Posted by Shevon

exactly what i want to say

Well someone had to say it.

[Tougerenner]

Wasn't the time before this the mule was spotted driving somewhere in orange county California by a bus stop?

Due to Subarus lego like nature with the drivetrain really there is no telling what this thing really is... other than a hacked up impreza body.

Originally Posted by 70NYD

its not AWD, look at the front wheels, you can see the hubs and u can see there the axle castle nuts are missing (unlike the rear where u can c them )

Good catch! I didnt see that, it does make things interesting.

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

they're using Forester STI wheels

I remember seeing on Japanparts.com those rims coming several widths, offsets and both 100 and 114.5 bolt pattern. So it makes it a bit harder of a call for the bolt pattern.

[bigbcraig]

Originally Posted by Dimman

Could someone compare a regular STI side pic to side pic with this one?

I'm curious about the front overhang of the nose. Basically if this could be AWD?

It's a stock STI front bumper. Note that that doesn't mean the engine is way up where an STI's is.

As someone already stated, front hubs look different (suggesting RWD) and that thing's so heavily camouflaged, we have no idea what the body shape might be like.

[BoostJunkie]

Originally Posted by Hachiroku

It's been a long while since we've seen any sightings of Subaru's version of the FT-86. The last time was this video and photo. But this time the Subaru FT-86 has been spotted testing in the US Southwest! And it appears to be the STi version

This test car is still wearing the bizarre bodywork spotted on the previous test mules, but the one main visual difference is the prominent hood bump. Normally that would be to clearance a top-mounted intercooler, or a supercharger, but we're pretty sure we can see a front-mounted intercooler peaking out from the lower fascia opening. This is likely the STI-spec powertrain/chassis mule!


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Sorry but I don't really like those rims at all

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by Tougerenner

I remember seeing on Japanparts.com those rims coming several widths, offsets and both 100 and 114.5 bolt pattern. So it makes it a bit harder of a call for the bolt pattern.

You're right. But I know for sure it's not 19". Cuz they only had 17's & 18's. To be more specific:
17x7
17x7.5
17.8
18x7.5
18.8

Offset are:
48
50
55

bolt patterns:
5x100
5x114.3

They did make very limited 18x8.5 +53 (5x114.3)... but from the picture, IDK. It looks more like 17x7.5 or 18x7.5

[Tougerenner]

Also in the first head on pic, in my opinion that looks more like an AC condenser than a front mount IC.

[Abflug]

hey guys, it´s only an "erlking" as we say in Germany... be patient...wait for the series

[zigzagz94]

Originally Posted by Tougerenner

Also in the first head on pic, in my opinion that looks more like an AC condenser than a front mount IC.

I agree. It doesn't look like an intercooler to me either. That doesn't mean that there isn't a top mounted IC on this baby if that black stuff covering the hood scoop is some type of breathable mesh.

I don't think this is the STi/high performance version.

As Ichitaka said those brakes appear to be standard imprezza brakes. If this were an STi version one would expect to see a Brembo/BBK system.

More than likely this is more testing of the standard version....maybe with the new subaru 2.0l engine due out later this year:

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/01/r...aru-this-year/

[70NYD]

also i would like to point out that both the front bumper and roof are cut meaning this car is also narower than the STI platform its made from (from the 1st pic)
looking at the rims and from what ichitaka said i say they are 17's
so going of that, can anyone who is good at PS have a measure of the rims to see what the bolt pattern is.. not that it will be the same for production..
zigzad, is there a chance that the new subaru engine is the one with the toyota heads??