Toyota Discusses FT-86 II Concept Design Factors/Reasons

[ft86cbx]

Autocar interview with Akihiro Nagaya, the manager of Toyota’s design division:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/255775/

Driver feedback from early development tests is one of the main factors behind the redesign of Toyota’s FT-86, which appeared in its closer-to-production form at the Geneva show.

The FT-86 II’s restyle keeps the original concept’s basic silhouette but lifts the nose, a move forced by pedestrian impact regulations. However, the biggest change is to the A-pillars, which have been moved back by around 100mm at the base, resulting in a more upright windscreen. It also gets a remodelled rear end, and LEDs in a new front bumper that draws heavily on 2007’s FT-HS concept.

Akihiro Nagaya, the manager of Toyota’s design division, told Autocar that the changes had been made after test drivers’ reaction to early prototypes of the car, which uses a floorpan and flat-four engine developed in conjunction with Subaru.

“We had feedback from drivers who felt that the angle of the A-pillars created a type of ‘tunnel vision’,” he said. “This could sometimes make the car hard to place on the road, particularly at higher speeds. The theory behind this car remains that of the ‘86’ [the original Corolla AE-86], which was easy and pure to drive, so we had to change it.”

Nagaya said the Geneva car was “a fair indication” of how the final production model could look when it arrives at the Tokyo show in December. “You could say it’s around 50 per cent there,” he said, “although that could be as high as 70 per cent.”

He also confirmed that the Toyota will share more than just mechanicals with the Subaru; the two cars will look very similar, too. He said the approach would be along the lines of Subaru’s Trezia, which is a Toyota Verso-S with redesigned grille and lights.

[FT-86GOD]

F*#k there putting some serious effort into this car... I cant wait... I hope as much as others will disagree/hate that this car comes in around the $30k US mark and not the low $20k... I dont want them skimping out on anything..... Just seems this car is getting better and better......

[xantonin]

"The FT-86 II’s restyle keeps the original concept’s basic silhouette but lifts the nose, a move forced by pedestrian impact regulations."

That's BS. Screw the pedestrian impact regulations.

[70NYD]

I'm sorry the whole thing I got from that article is that the photoes (ie the ppl in the background) look remarkably similar to hachirokus..
And the thing that stuck out the most was the last bit about the differences between the Toyota and subaru versions it's what iv been saying from day one. Badge engineering ppl: lights change which slightly changes the hood/bumper/fender :p

[Matador]

Originally Posted by FT-86GOD

F*#k there putting some serious effort into this car... I cant wait... I hope as much as others will disagree/hate that this car comes in around the $30k US mark and not the low $20k... I dont want them skimping out on anything..... Just seems this car is getting better and better......

Stop spreading mis-information.

Originally Posted by xantonin

"The FT-86 II’s restyle keeps the original concept’s basic silhouette but lifts the nose, a move forced by pedestrian impact regulations."

That's BS. Screw the pedestrian impact regulations.

if only they could.

Originally Posted by ft86cbx

Autocar interview with Akihiro Nagaya, the manager of Toyota’s design division:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/255775/

Great bit of info, thanks for the post.

Mr. Nagaya, I get the changes. However, that doesn't explain the rear. Put back the original tail end from concept 1, rework the front fenders (more like concept 1, and get rid of those ugly vents) and IMHO, that'd be perfect thanks.

[FT-86GOD]

^ hope is not mis-imformation... Wash out your sandy vagina.....

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by FT-86GOD

^ hope is not mis-imformation... Wash out your sandy vagina.....

Don't worry, you didn't say anything wrong. You said you HOPE, not stating it WOULD be in the $30k's. I agree with you. A $30k car would ensure the interior is classy as well. You spent most of your time in the car, not outside looking at it (well, some may beg to differ lol), but I personally need a nice interior.

Anyhow, great article. Hoping for a few more changes (rear bumper especially), so let's see what happens!

[FT-86GOD]

Its not matadors fault. He has been waiting for his FT-86 almost as long as me and is a bit on edge.... Cutting yourself and taking ur frustration out on the keyboard is not the answer Matador... (^.^)

[SUB-FT86]

If it's around the 30k mark it better come with a 2.0T Boxer/Sport pkg and a nice interior with soft touch plastics galore and aluminum trim with nice leather. It's not like this car is based of a new platform and a totally new engine to warrant a 30k+ tag. It will come with Mac struts and the rear suspension that other Subaru's have I bet. The only thing that will probably be different to me would be the loss of AWD, a shortened Impreza platform, a revised boxer engine, and a way better looking interior and exterior when compared with a Subaru. But this is my opinion.

[FT-86GOD]

Well in 9 months we will find out?........

[VenomRush]

Originally Posted by FT-86GOD

F*#k there putting some serious effort into this car... I cant wait... I hope as much as others will disagree/hate that this car comes in around the $30k US mark and not the low $20k... I dont want them skimping out on anything..... Just seems this car is getting better and better......

where did you get 30k from?

[Dark]

Originally Posted by FT-86GOD

F*#k there putting some serious effort into this car... I cant wait... I hope as much as others will disagree/hate that this car comes in around the $30k US mark and not the low $20k... I dont want them skimping out on anything..... Just seems this car is getting better and better......

[FT-86GOD]

The air... I want the ft-86 to be competing with the 370z market......

[VenomRush]

but you just said you hope its not going to be up in the 30k