Tetsuya Tada hints at TRD version initial launch

[White Comet]

Originally Posted by MatadorRacing_F1

More sales = faster the aftermarket comes online. I'd say 1-3 yrs though, because Toyota probably will do what Hyundai did for the genesis and Honda for the last civic. Farm it out to aftermarket companies before the debut to start development.

If they were smart, then yes. Regardless, it takes time for competition amongst aftermarket companies to break the price monopolies. No way I'm paying 1000 bucks for an exhaust, for example.

[zigzagz94]

Originally Posted by Franisco

As MtnDrvr86 said, wouldn't a 2011 model be launched in fall 2010?

2011 model could be launched anytime between late summer 2010 through early summer 2011. Maybe he meant it would be released around mar-may 2011 in japan and fall 2011 for north america.

[OldSkoolToys]

Originally Posted by zigzagz94

2011 model could be launched anytime between late summer 2010 through early summer 2011. Maybe he meant it would be released around mar-may 2011 in japan and fall 2011 for north america.

Haha, that reminds me of the the "1986" MK2 Supra's giving way to the '86.5 premier year MkIII Supras.

If this happened to the FT, it would probably go down as an "2011.5" model year.

Basically referring back to the end-part of this quote, whatever the Japanese launch date is set to be, tack on about 2 quarters of a year and thats when you can expect it stateside.
Ie: Spring 2011 Jp/ Fall 2011 U.S.
Fall 2011 Jp/ Spring 2012 U.S., etc.

Good info to know, considering we will know well in advance the Japan release date over the official U.S. date.

[Matador]

Originally Posted by White Comet

If they were smart, then yes. Regardless, it takes time for competition amongst aftermarket companies to break the price monopolies. No way I'm paying 1000 bucks for an exhaust, for example.

Volume will take care of that. Once the market is big enough, and enough companies want to compete, prices will drop and fast.

[S2KtoFT86]

Originally Posted by MatadorRacing_F1

Volume will take care of that. Once the market is big enough, and enough companies want to compete, prices will drop and fast.

Not necessarily, the aftermarket is huge for the S2000 but look at Amuse, ASM, Spoon, Mugen, Tracy Sports, etc. They're stuff is still extremely high. Are there any JDM companies like that for Toyota?

[Jordo!]

Originally Posted by S2KtoFT86

Not necessarily, the aftermarket is huge for the S2000 but look at Amuse, ASM, Spoon, Mugen, Tracy Sports, etc. They're stuff is still extremely high. Are there any JDM companies like that for Toyota?

C-ONE, TOM's, Trial, Brash Boy, Beatrush... probably a few others I'm not thinking of.

[Matador]

Originally Posted by Jordo!

C-ONE, TOM's, Trial, Brash Boy, Beatrush... probably a few others I'm not thinking of.

Dunno if any of those (barring TOM'S of course) are as Toyota oriented as Mugen and Spoon are Honda oriented. SARD, TechnoPro Spirit, Riddox (mostly aero) are some other Toyota tuners... there are more but I haven't checked this stuff out in ages, I don't have anymore off the top of my head.

Amuse isn't Honda exclusive, they do stuff for Nissan & Toyota (Supra, MR-S, Chaser, Altezza) as well. I'm sure they'd tune the FT-86 if they think it is a good platform, as would Mine's (already do work on the WRX), maybe even Yashio Factory (in the absence of a new Silvia) .

One also has to remember that the S2000 is a +$30k car, obviously parts will be more expensive. Do you think you'd pay the same price for a Supra upgrade turbo kit as a GT Starlet Turbo kit? I think not.

[S2KtoFT86]

I shouldn't have included Amuse or Tracy Sports as they both do other makes besides Honda but be that as it may, even though the S is a 30k+ car, you can still find the "knockoff" parts for much cheaper than you can buy the JDM parts. That goes without saying I know but just because the car costs a certain price, doesn't necessarily mean all the parts are expensive.

On a side note, thanks for that list of JDM tuners. Gives me something to research in the next year or so.

[GT]

What things do you think will be upgraded for the "TRD" model/package.

[Franisco]

Hopefully sc, susp, brakes

[Matador]

Originally Posted by GT

What things do you think will be upgraded for the "TRD" model/package.

Turbo please.

[OldSkoolToys]

Originally Posted by GT

What things do you think will be upgraded for the "TRD" model/package.

Sportier body trim, TRD suspension/chassis components (springs, struts, sway bars, tower bar), TRD steering wheel, shift knob and badging, sport exhaust, larger brakes.

If TRD offers a S/C for the FT I bet it'll still have to be dealer installed. All of the things above would be more likely to come from the factory on the car.

[GT]

Originally Posted by OldSkoolToys

Sportier body trim, TRD suspension/chassis components (springs, struts, sway bars, tower bar), TRD steering wheel, shift knob and badging, sport exhaust, larger brakes.

If TRD offers a S/C for the FT I bet it'll still have to be dealer installed. All of the things above would be more likely to come from the factory on the car.

This would be amazing. Generally, based off of past Toyota vehicles, how much more does the TRD version cost?

[OldSkoolToys]

Originally Posted by GT

This would be amazing. Generally, based off of past Toyota vehicles, how much more does the TRD version cost?

I unno, I don't follow trucks.

To my knowledge there hasn't been a car with TRD badging offered at a dealership, at least not in recent memory.

If they do offer a TRD badged version it will probably come with easily installed components, like the ones I listed. Probably know the price up ~$2500-$3000, from what I listed.