Toyota today unveiled the FT-86 II concept at the 81st Geneva International Motor Show here. FT-86 II concept from Toyota will be on display for the press until March 2 and for the public from March 3 to 13. The FT-86 II concept is the result of an August 2009 announcement that Toyota and Fuji Heavy Industries will launch a jointly developed compact rear-wheel drive sports car. Toyota FT-86 II concept is currently the world’s only rear-wheel-drive sports car equipped with a horizontally opposed engine (concept vehicle), and features a combination of core rear-wheel-drive sports car technologies Toyota has developed and horizontally opposed engine and other technologies that Subaru is renowned for.
FT-86 II combines a free-revving boxer petrol engine and 6-speed manual transmission with light weight and a low centre of gravity for the optimum power-to-weight ratio. Both powertrain and driving position have been set as low and as far back as possible, awarding the FT-86 II lively, accessible performance, readily-exploitable dynamic abilities and maximum driving pleasure.
FT-86 II concept from Toyota introduces a new generation of sports car. This front engine, rear-wheel drive concept gives the clearest indication yet of the FT-86 final design. FT-86 II perfectly recaptures the exhilarating spirit of the Toyota Corolla Levin AE 86 – the must-have rallying and circuit driving choice in the 1980s. It is driver-oriented, designed to give form to the intrinsic joy of driving. With an eye toward commercialization, TMC plans to fine-tune production model prototypes through test-drives on roads throughout the world.