Top Gear host Richard Hammond writes about the FT-86

[camcmw]

I'll wait for the japanese used import version to arrive in NZ. A few years down the track but no doubt worth the wait.

The really exciting thing about this car to me is the engine. I've owned a 99 2.0L impreza and found the reliability to be average at best (piston slap at 60k without too much hard driving - very annoying). A mate owned a 2.5 legacy wagon and went through a few motors (admitedly he is hard on cars, but then his old corrolla never complained!). I love the concept of the boxer engine, the sound it makes, smoothness, low center of gravity. It has character which is lacking in all other japanese four cylinders. The execution by Subaru (just my opinion) lacks the depth of engineering that you can always rely on with other japanese brands. I have the feeling that some of the best Subaru engines were back in the early 90's with the 2.2L (pretty much bombproof) but since then they have lost there way a bit.

This partnership between Toyota and Subaru certainly grabs my attention. A Subaru boxer engine with Toyota depth of engineering. There is plenty of talk around about toyota cylinder heads, more advanced direct fuel injection. In essence, toyota powertrain excellence with subaru boxer engine character. More frugality and reliability. Lets hope the engineers make it play a nice exaust tune. What more could the consumer possibly demand!

It would also be nice if this engine made its way into more mainstream everyday models. This engine in my old impreza ski wagon would be fantastic. Maybe that task will be left to subaru.

Cam

[+1]

Hey Guys i just posted a poll about the pricing, so let your voice be heard