Rendered Speculation: JDM rumormill reports Subaru's FT-86 will get turbo power, AWD
Posted Oct 27th 2009 7:26PM by Damon Lavrinc
The crew from Japan's BestCar magazine have apparently taken the initial pics of the Toyota FT-86 concept and grafted a unique nose, rear fascia and wheels onto ToMoCo's new sports coupe, and while the result is less-than-fetching, the accompanying report offers a pseudo-confirmation of what's been suspected all along.
According to BestCar's (notoriously unnamed) sources, the Subaru coupe (internally dubbed 216A) will come equipped with all-wheel drive, and a choice of two engines in Japan – the 250-horsepower 2.0-liter EJ20 or the worked over, 300-hp boxer four from the WRX STI. Naturally, the additional kit will result in a substantial price increase over the Toyota version, not to mention a 220-power weight penalty courtesy of its AWD drivetrain.
There's also talk of a slight increase in height, width and wheelbase, but no word on whether the Subaru coupe will make it to U.S. shores. If it does, expect it to arrive sometime after its introduction in Japan in 2011, with a price tag somewhere around the $30,000 mark.
[Source: BestCar via 7Tune]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
adam1drift 7:29PM (10/27/2009)
Yes! cuz thats how its done!
thank you Subi
Reply
Paul 8:09PM (10/27/2009)
+1
AWD, Potentially great power to weight ratio, potentially attractive... potentially awesome.
http://everyroadtaken.wordpress.com
John H. 8:28PM (10/27/2009)
Works for me.
USDM Subaru XT turbo!
James 9:09PM (10/27/2009)
This is a handsome and a proportionate looking Subaru...a far cry from the recent, repulsive looking Legacy and to a lesser extent, the Impreza.
the4thheat 10:19PM (10/27/2009)
I'm a little bit confused as to why they'd need to have both this and the WRX though, it seems like it would step on too many existing toes if it shows up with AWD and Turbo. I guess if someone had to have a 2-door it'd appeal to them but I get the feeling it'll just be poaching WRX sales.
AC 10:37PM (10/27/2009)
SOOOOOLD!
Monica Dickey 11:16PM (10/27/2009)
For sure. That is one sexy car. Subaru knows how to rock the blue and gold with a hood vent.
some1 11:32PM (10/27/2009)
This VS ToMoCo version VS Mustang VS Camaro VS Genesis coupe VS Challenger VS 370z extravaganza!!!
w0ot
Jakesnake1294 3:22AM (10/28/2009)
Subaru,
Fire all your current designers.
Hire the guy who did this rendered speculation.
fmwso 3:55AM (10/28/2009)
Wow, that does look and sounds really good! I hope that the news are true though.
G.G. 9:33AM (10/28/2009)
Yes, this redefines ugly for sure!
Cornelius 10:17AM (10/28/2009)
@BoxerFanatic
Your wishlist is awesome, but you're setting your expectations way too high. You're essentially describing the prodrive P2 (without the fancy active diff). It ain't gonna happen.
The car is supposed to be lightweight, and ~$30k. All of the goodies from the STI would not make it in... specifically I'd be really surprised if the STI/SpecB 6MT w/ DCCD was carried over. I believe it would be a tight squeeze and a lot of added heft in that little coupe (judging by the pics of the Toyota version anyway).
And if the 6MT doesn't make it, then I'd doubt it'll have the beefed-up axles, so wheels wouldn't be 5x114.3. VTD would be gone too, unless it's an auto. Or Subaru designs a new manual.
Brembos - expensive option, but doable.
Recaros... keep dreaming. SOA only caters to the asses of fat people.
Btw, I keep hearing rumors of a new STI sedan for MY 2011. Can SOA manage so many different USDM STI variants (coupe, 4-door, 5-door)? I'd like to see them try...
zamafir 7:30PM (10/27/2009)
"Subaru's FT-86 will get turbo power, AWD"
um. duh. did any of us ever seriously think it wouldn't be FI and AWD? honestly?
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groundZ 7:34PM (10/27/2009)
Well I remember reports that the Subaru would be exactly like the Toyota, only different badges and front and rear clips.
I even recall worries from Subaru that they were going to be diluting the Subaru image of AWD, so even though everyone had always hoped the Toyota to be RWD and the Subaru AWD, it wasn't really set in stone.
BoxerFanatic 9:38PM (10/27/2009)
there are reasons it could go either way.
1: AWD would be very difficult with Subaru's current transaxle systems, and a front-mid-engined layout with the front axle forward of the engine block. The FT-86 looks to be front-mid layout.
2: the new engine that the FT-86 is rumored to have a new DOHC, DFI engine of 2 liters, possibly derived from the thinner-wall, shorter cylinder pitch EZ30-style boxer 6-cylinder. That engine may or may not be suitable for warranty forced induction.
3: the EJ20 existing WRX STI engine in Japan is not really sold much overseas, as Australia, and North America are using the EJ25 2.5 liter engines, for emissions reasons.
I do hope the Subaru coupe is configured for AWD, with WRX STI's 6-speed, not the "new" old 4-speed, then 5-speed, then 6-speed, now cable-shifted gearbox that the '10 Legacy GT now has. I don't think that gearbox is Variable Torque... at least it wasn't last year as a 5-speed before they wedged another gear ratio in there. The STI/Spec B gearbox is more robust, with a better clutch specification, and has VTD, or STI's DCCD variable center differential.
I hope it is configured with the features that the 2009 Legacy Spec B had, plus STI's Brembo brakes and 5x114.3 hubs...
SI-Drive variable engine mapping.
Electroluminescent Gauges
Heated memory-setting seats
folding LED signal equipped side mirrors
driver-focused, dignified interior design, better than both Impreza and new Legacy's mall-kiosk-like dash design, and cheaper materials.
All features that Legacy LOST from 2009 to 2010.
Also...
WRX-STI like Recaro seats, instead of Subaru's increasingly flat and unsupportive seats.
And a luxury option with a sunroof/glass roof, and leather seats, and GT features, as an alternative to a more focused variant without those things.
And for the love of pete, please make it a lift-back fastback, with folding rear seats. A tiny trunk lid SUCKS to load things in and out of, regardless of how much space the trunk may have.
Do it right, and GenCoupe, and maybe even the retro-triplets have some competition in the affordable performance coupe class. It may not sell on nostalgia, but there are folks who remember the AWD coupes of the 1990s, and who know Subaru can build a performance car when they try...
jerjozwik 7:32PM (10/27/2009)
thats no subaru. i mean where is the ridiculously oversized wing? or the shotgun blast venting?
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gefinley 7:36PM (10/27/2009)
What on Earth are you talking about? The wing that exists on one model? And I have no idea what vents you're talking about.
Personally, I hope it looks a lot like that. Looks better than the Toyota version, which I already like.
jerjozwik 8:23PM (10/27/2009)
i have no idea what your talking about.
ZombieR 7:33PM (10/27/2009)
Less-then-fetching according to who, exactly?
I think that'd be one of the best looking sport coupes around if it came out looking anything like that...
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groundZ 7:36PM (10/27/2009)
I agree, but I have a thing for gaudy and tacky hoodscoops.