More than three years after Toyota and Subaru announced plans to co-develop a rear-wheel drive coupe, and almost two years after Toyota first showed a concept of the FT-86, the Japanese company is still displaying prototypes of its long-awaited sports car.
However, we still don't know if the BRZ will share the same body styling as the FT-86 as Subaru has yet to reveal an actual concept of the sports coupe –the Geneva Salon prototype was a see-through concept designed to exhibit the car's mechanical hardware.
Subaru’s new rear-wheel drive sports coupe, which is still currently under joint development with Toyota, will be named BRZ. According to the automaker, the name stands for “Boxer engine”, “Rear-wheel drive” and “Zenith”.
The Japanese company also revealed that the start of production for the BRZ is planned for spring 2012, but before that, it will show a second technology concept of the coupe named “SUBARU BRZ PROLOGUE - BOXER Sports Car Architecture II - ” at the 64th Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011.
We'll remind you that Subaru displayed a see-through concept study of the coupe to exhibit the car's mechanical hardware at this year's Geneva Salon.
Subaru’s new rear-wheel drive sports coupe, which is still currently under joint development with Toyota, will be named BRZ. According to the automaker, the name stands for “Boxer engine”, “Rear-wheel drive” and “Zenith”.
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We still don’t get any output numbers although Toyota says the D4-S technology “results in increased horsepower and torque without sacrificing fuel consumption and environmental performance.” Subaru's latest 2.0-liter horizontally opposed gasoline engine, which is offered on the all-new Impreza, develops 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft (197 Nm) of torque, but in the case of the FT-86, output is expected to increase significantly.
Unlike the Impreza's 5-speed or CVT gearboxes, the Toyota FT-86 will be offered with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission. “The manual will offer quick and precise shifts with a short-throw, while the automatic transmission will feature sporty shifts controlled by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifts,” said Toyota.
In addition, the RWD coupe will also get a limited-slip differential. Toyota says the front-engined, rear-wheel drive platform will “offer the driver confident stability and maneuverability, while still being quick and nimble into and out of any corner”. Toyota added that the car's compact dimensions, lightweight design and low center of gravity will ensure “an intrinsic joy of driving”.
Toyota will sell the FT-86 coupe (the final name has not yet been confirmed) under its own badge in Europe and Japan, while North America will get a Scion-badged variant as previewed by the FR-S Concept at last week’s New York Auto Show. Subaru's version of the car will be technically identical but will feature distinct styling.
It's been a long time in the making but we're finally going to get our first glimpse of Subaru's version of the Toyota FT-86 RWD Coupe, which is a joint project from the two companies, at the upcoming Geneva Salon in March. The somewhat blandly named “Subaru Rear Wheel Drive Sports Car Technology Concept” will share the spotlight with the Impreza Concept (pictured above) and the Trezio mini MPV, both of which will receive their European premiere at the Swiss motorshow.
Despite rumors suggesting that Subaru may present an all-wheel drive version of the coupe project, the Japanese carmaker is keeping the rear-wheel drive setup, at least for now.
Not surprisingly, the Subaru coupe will be powered by a boxer engine, possibly the same four-cylinder unit lent to Toyota for the FT-86. Subaru did not release any photos nor any additional information on the Coupe concept model.
As for the company's two European premieres, the Impreza Concept was first shown in LA last November and previews a new design direction for the production model, while the Trezio is a re-badged version of the Toyota Verso-S mini MPV, which will be offered in Europe with a 1.3-liter gasoline and 1.4-liter turbo diesel engines.
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