Toyota sports car getting closer
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2nd March, 2011
- Previews a new Toyota sports car
- Driver-focused concept designed to capture the joy of driving
- Aerodynamics developed from F1 technology
Toyota has given the clearest indication yet of the final design for its next sports car with the
unveiling of the FT-86 II concept at the Geneva Motor Show (3rd March-13th March 2011).
The FT-86 II pays homage to Toyota's illustrious sports car history through its compact proportions
which feature a long, low bonnet, high guards and rear-set cabin.
The Toyota FT-86 II Concept is an entirely driver-oriented concept - designed to give form to the
intrinsic joy of driving through precise, instantaneous responses to even the smallest throttle or
steering input - for those who regard driving as a passion rather than a necessity.
Under a design concept that Toyota's European Design Development centre, ED2, has dubbed 'Functional
Beauty', its bold, sweeping form has been generated entirely through the constraints of function and
aerodynamics developed from F1 technology. With its low, highly aerodynamic body shell stretched tight
over the engineering hard points, the FT-86 II concept's 'muscular' body work has been made as compact
as possible.
Featuring a long, 2,570 mm wheelbase, the concept is 4,235 mm in length, 1,795 mm wide and just 1,270
mm high.
Rather than relying on a heavy, large displacement powertrain for its performance, the FT-86 II
returns to Toyota's sporting roots by combining a free-revving boxer petrol engine and a six-speed
manual transmission with compact dimensions, light weight and a low centre of gravity for the best
possible power-to-weight ratio.
Both powertrain and driving position have been set as low and as far back as possible to optimise
balance for maximum poise, high-speed stability and dynamic agility.
Allied to a front engine, rear-wheel drive format, this affords the FT-86 II lively, accessible
performance, highly engaging, readily-exploitable dynamic abilities and maximum driving pleasure.
The FT-86 II concept is the result of an August 2009 announcement that Toyota and Fuji Heavy
Industries would launch a jointly developed compact rear-wheel drive sports car. European sales of
Toyota's new sports car will begin in 2012.
HERITAGE - HALF A CENTURY OF PASSION FOR SPORTING PERFORMANCE
- Toyota first introduced an sports cars for nearly 50 years ago and has had numerous sporty
numbers since that time
- 2000 GT established Toyota's global reputation for sports car manufacturing
- Corolla Coupe, Celica, Supra and MR2 were consistently popular on the global market
"When the Toyota 2000 GT was built I was 11 years old - and I loved it. I said: 'I want to
drive something like this when I grow up.' My dream came true when I drove a 2000 GT in a vintage car
rally. That was a really great experience. I want young people to feel those same desires when they
see a new Toyota sports car. I want to transfer the thrill of the race track to our vehicles, and make
driving fun and exciting for our customers." - Akio Toyoda, President, Toyota Motor Corporation.
Since Toyota began the development of its two-cylinder boxer-engined Sports 800 in 1962, the
company has maintained a long history of making exciting, driver-focused sports cars that have proved
as popular with the public as they have been successful in competition.
The beautiful 2000 GT, first displayed at the 1965 Tokyo Motor Show, helped establish the company's
global reputation as a sports car manufacturer. This 2.0-litre straight-six powered coupe finished
third in the 1966 Japanese GP and went on to establish three world endurance records, including the
fastest average speed continuously over 16,000 kilometres - 207 km/h.
In the US, former Le Mans winner Carroll Shelby entered the 2000 GT in the 1968 Sports Car Club of
America's C-Production category. Despite little development, the lead car notched up four wins against
the then-dominant Porsche 911.
In response to the focus of the annual Japanese Grand Prix on sports racing cars with larger engines,
Toyota launched its first purpose-built racer in 1968, the Toyota 7, which featured a mid-mounted, 3.0
litre V8 subsequently upgraded to 5.0 litres. The 1970 Toyota 7 Turbo was the world's first
turbo-engined racing car.
Before its launch in 1984, Toyota appointed legendary US racing driver Dan Gurney to the testing
and development of the MR2. Toyota has always understood the value of motor sport and a racing driver's
analytical skills for improving its road-going models. The MR2 gained a well-deserved reputation as one
of the best-handling sports cars of all time.
Seven generations of the Celica were sold throughout the world for 36 years between 1970 and 2006.
The first Celicas incorporated rear-wheel-drive powertrains. The Celica GT, introduced in Europe in
1974, featured a five-speed transmission and wider tyres.
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Appealing strongly to the European market, the redesigned Celica of 1985 featured front-wheel drive
and the powerful 2.0-litre 3S-GE engine. The Celica also achieved considerable success in competition.
The Celica Twin-Cam Turbo achieved three consecutive Safari Rally wins between 1984 and 1986. Taking
its first World Rally Championship win in Australia in 1989, the all-wheel drive Celica GT-Four went
on to record back-to-back WRC driver's and manufacturer's titles in 1993 and 1994. The GT-Four was the
first Japanese car to win both driver's and manufacturer's WRC titles.
Toyota's Supra was launched in 1979. The first two generations were based on the Celica; the Supra
only becoming a model in its own right with the third-generation car of 1986. Its roots may be traced
back to the 2000 GT, and all four generations boasted straight-six engines and rear-wheel drive.
Engine cubic capacity rose with each generation from 2.5 litres to 2.7 and then 3.0 litres,
culminating in the 1993 Mk VI Supra's 320 bhp engine with sequential turbocharging, which gave the car
a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 5.2 seconds, and a governed maximum speed of 250 km/h.
With its reputation for delivering pure excitement and embodying the fundamental joy of driving,
the Corolla Levin AE86 is the inspiration behind Toyota's latest sports car concept, the FT-86 II.
The Corolla Levin AE86's front engine, rear-wheel drive powertrain, compact dimensions, light
weight, impeccable balance and superior power-to-weight ratio made it the must-have choice for
rallying and circuit driving throughout its 1983-1987 production life. Even today, the AE86 is still
a popular choice with private rallying teams.
Sharing its predecessor's front-engine, rear-wheel drive credentials, the FT-86 II concept
introduces a new generation of sports car which perfectly recaptures the exhilarating spirit of the
last Corolla Levin AE 86.
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