Interview with Tetsuya Tada - Chief Engineer of the FT-86

[madfast]

Originally Posted by Dimman

I just think the autobox will be less 'gimmicky' eco-mode, sport-mode, blah, blah. Six speed, torque converter, paddles and we're done. Probably won't have rev-matching either.

yeah that's what my understanding was too. as for the rev matching, the new GS has rev-matching so it makes me thinks this car will have it too. i mean it is a sports coupe. and it is just software. so why not?

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by madfast

yeah that's what my understanding was too. as for the rev matching, the new GS has rev-matching so it makes me thinks this car will have it too. i mean it is a sports coupe. and it is just software. so why not?

IS don't (correct me if I'm wrong). IS is sports car.

My bet is on no rev-match.

[Random_Art]

Originally Posted by pastuch

"No CD-player"

ANDROID DOCK! ANDROID DOCK! ANDROID DOCK!

I imagine it would be either an auxiliary audio jack in the dash, or a USB port somewhere easily accessible. Hell, maybe it'll even come with bluetooth.

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by Random_Art

I imagine it would be either an auxiliary audio jack in the dash, or a USB port somewhere easily accessible. Hell, maybe it'll even come with bluetooth.

Didn't one of the Scion guys say somewhere here that all their current systems have USB and AUX inputs?

[RRnold]

Originally Posted by Geard

Wrong wording on my part, yes I placed a deposit on one. I was already third in line at the dealership for the car and wanted to make damn sure I can get my hands on one. I trust what I'm hearing and have faith that Toyota won't drop the ball on this one, call me over eager but hell I'm game!

Are you not counting on what they might release/add a couple of years after the FR-S hits the market?

[Geard]

I considered that to be honest, l but I'll just roll with the punches so to speak and if it's really that different that I can't just mod it to adapt then I'll have to cross that bridge when I get there. Why buy ps2 when you know that there will be a ps3?
(except you can't mod the hell out of your ps2 to stomp some ps3 haha)

[Spaceywilly]

Originally Posted by RRnold

Are you not counting on what they might release/add a couple of years after the FR-S hits the market?

I don't get this logic. If you follow that logic you would never buy a car. Who knows what car might come out next year! The only time it really makes sense is if you know there's a major refresh coming out the next year, like there currently is with the 911 for example. I doubt they'll do a major refresh of this car next year. If they come out with a 1.6L turbo "STI" model, which is the current rumor, I'd still rather have the cheaper NA 2.0L, so why not just buy it now? I've waited long enough for this car, I'm not going to wait another year because they may or may not come out with a more expensive model that I don't want at some point in the future.

I generally think that it's not a good idea to buy the first model year of a car, but in this case it really seems like they've put a lot more research and testing into it than a normal car. Mostly though I Just don't think I could stand the sight of other people driving around in their ft86 while I don't have one.

[madfast]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

IS don't (correct me if I'm wrong). IS is sports car.

My bet is on no rev-match.

the IS is old. the IS hasnt been revamped yet like the brand new GS. i bet the next IS will have rev-match. so will the FT

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by madfast

the IS is old. the IS hasnt been revamped yet like the brand new GS. i bet the next IS will have rev-match. so will the FT

Yeah, let's play optimistically. If by him saying it doesn't need fancy tech, hopefully for the auto guys that just means no twin clutch, and no gimmicky 'mode' buttons. No reason they won't try to make the autobox as sporty as possible, including rev matching (it's a minor programming change to the existing e-throttle). So you have PRND and maybe a gate for manual mode and paddles. So maybe there is no 'sport auto' mode which changes the response and shift points but stays auto. Everyone gets the sport response, and you either use the regular shift points, or choose your own with the paddles.

[Jordo!]

Originally Posted by pastuch

"The FT-86 has about half of the computing power that is dragged around in a modern day car. The preferred shifter is a stick. An automatic is optional. The slushbox is nothing fancy. “No DSG or anything of that kind,” says Tada, and is proud."

I was ecstatic when I read this! Automatics are for people that hate driving. Paddle shifting sucks ass.

That's an attitude that will alienate many, many people who would otherwise buy this car. Toyota's crosshairs are aligned on their foot with that approach.

The requirement that three pedals are needed in order to enjoy driving or be proper car enthusaist is a completely subjective opinion.

Paddle shifters and trick modern transmissions can be incredibly sporty and engaging.

F1 cars, virtually all super cars, the GT-R, and the surprisingly brilliant 7-speed on the new 370 Z, which shifts faster than a manual stock and can be tuned to shift even faster are all good examples.

A refined version of the last gen MR-S trans might also have qualified, but it's off the table apparently.

Speaking of the joy of driving, I wonder if heel-toers will also bristle at the thought of a syncho-revmatch feature being included? An automatic throttle blip? Sacrilege!

If only it had a crank in the front to start it.

Originally Posted by Dimman

Yeah, let's play optimistically. If by him saying it doesn't need fancy tech, hopefully for the auto guys that just means no twin clutch, and no gimmicky 'mode' buttons. No reason they won't try to make the autobox as sporty as possible, including rev matching (it's a minor programming change to the existing e-throttle). So you have PRND and maybe a gate for manual mode and paddles. So maybe there is no 'sport auto' mode which changes the response and shift points but stays auto. Everyone gets the sport response, and you either use the regular shift points, or choose your own with the paddles.

I'd certainly be happy with that.

[RRnold]

Originally Posted by Geard

I considered that to be honest, l but I'll just roll with the punches so to speak and if it's really that different that I can't just mod it to adapt then I'll have to cross that bridge when I get there. Why buy ps2 when you know that there will be a ps3?
(except you can't mod the hell out of your ps2 to stomp some ps3 haha)

Originally Posted by Spaceywilly

I don't get this logic. If you follow that logic you would never buy a car. Who knows what car might come out next year! The only time it really makes sense is if you know there's a major refresh coming out the next year, like there currently is with the 911 for example. I doubt they'll do a major refresh of this car next year. If they come out with a 1.6L turbo "STI" model, which is the current rumor, I'd still rather have the cheaper NA 2.0L, so why not just buy it now? I've waited long enough for this car, I'm not going to wait another year because they may or may not come out with a more expensive model that I don't want at some point in the future.

I generally think that it's not a good idea to buy the first model year of a car, but in this case it really seems like they've put a lot more research and testing into it than a normal car. Mostly though I Just don't think I could stand the sight of other people driving around in their ft86 while I don't have one.

It's common sense. Ironically you don't believe it yet you agree later on in your 2nd paragrah. Research and testing is what they do from concept to pre-production on all cars you're only kidding yourself thinking it's robust the 1st year. Toyota is good but not that good!

If you have to have the 1st year production then by all means, pull the trigger.

[blur]

Originally Posted by Jordo!

That's an attitude that will alienate many, many people who would otherwise buy this car..

This car is NOT made for those people. Plain and simple.

There will probably be a GT in the near future for those people. But right now, Toyota is focusing on a different user base, the enthusiasts. And most enthusiasts love manual and despise automatic, including Tada-san. This car isn't about sales, it's about image and customer satisfaction.

S2000 and STi did fine manual only. I don't doubt this car will as well.

[Geard]

+1 for team Manual. There's a reason they call it autotragic...but to stay on topic and not turn this into another M/T vs A/T debate, the enthusiasm and obvious direction that Toyota has for this car is inspiring. They have proven they can pump out reliable a->b commuters but to put so much effort into something that is directed to a very specific and small demographic and purpose built is really awesome!

[AIRMAX]

Originally Posted by Jordo!

That's an attitude that will alienate many, many people who would otherwise buy this car. Toyota's crosshairs are aligned on their foot with that approach.

The requirement that three pedals are needed in order to enjoy driving or be proper car enthusaist is a completely subjective opinion.

Paddle shifters and trick modern transmissions can be incredibly sporty and engaging.

F1 cars, virtually all super cars, the GT-R, and the surprisingly brilliant 7-speed on the new 370 Z, which shifts faster than a manual stock and can be tuned to shift even faster are all good examples.

A refined version of the last gen MR-S trans might also have qualified, but it's off the table apparently.

Speaking of the joy of driving, I wonder if heel-toers will also bristle at the thought of a syncho-revmatch feature being included? An automatic throttle blip? Sacrilege!

If only it had a crank in the front to start it.


I'd certainly be happy with that.

I see your point... BUT.

If you notice, Tada-san mentioned "affordability" as KEY item for this car.

An affordable RWD sports coupe.

Sure EVOs, Golf Rs/GTIs, 370Z etc have their semi-automatic configs... and the market these cars are targetted to, its almost justifiable.

But a sub 20K RWD sports coupe with LOW weight and SMALL/WIDE/LOW profile... I think keeping it Manual and as computer aid free as possible will not hinder performance.... and KEEPS cost down. In reality, I understand that a lot of sports cars have complex gear boxes to transfer power and change gears... maybe to optimize performance and justify the price tag... but for a SUB 20K RWD with the said characteristics.... you'd be crazy to go non-manual... of course for auto is fine for people who just want to pose with it.