Toyota's AE86 Returns (FT-86 Concept)

[Alucard]

jalopnik.com/5375233/toyota-ft+86-concept-behold-the-new-ae86?skyline=true&s=i

I'm excited. As a lover of the AE86 Trueno/Corolla GTS, I can't wait for this thing to hit production (well, fingers crossed that it does). Hopefully it's the same philosophy as the original. An inexpensive rear wheel drive sports car for all. If all goes well, one of these will be in my driveway in the future. ;D

[Pink Lloyd]

I cannot see them building something cheaper than stock Mustang but, since the Japanese are huge into tuning I can see some crazy after-market stuff making AE86 something fun to own.

[Alucard]

Oct 7, 2009 21:56:31 GMT -5 Pink Lloyd said:

I cannot see them building something cheaper than stock Mustang but, since the Japanese are huge into tuning I can see some crazy after-market stuff making AE86 something fun to own.

Yeah, bone stock V6 Mustangs aren't terribly expensive really either. Priced competitively against those, this thing could really take off, but again, just my speculation.

[Phosphor Glow]

I knew this was gonna be you before I even saw who posted it.

...Void'd?

[Alucard]

Heeey, it coulda been someone else...maybe...

[Father Dougal McGuire]

Looks nice. I guess Toyota is going after the Mitsubishi Evo audience.

[AriadosMan]

What is this car? The Toyota equivalent of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe I've heard so much about?
Just curious.

[Alucard]

Oct 8, 2009 0:28:59 GMT -5 AriadosMan said:

What is this car? The Toyota equivalent of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe I've heard so much about?
Just curious.

Not exactly. The Toyota AE86 Sprinter Trueno or Levin was a small rear wheel drive sports car introduced in 1983 and was in production until about 1991 I believe. It was much bigger in Japan, having a popular manga/anime series featuring it as it's star car (and yes, it was outdated by this point, but that was the idea). It's been featured prominently in Gran Turismo and other racing games in recent years. It's not exactly a looker anymore, but they're still popular cars amongst the autocross and drift scene.

And the FT-86 is a concept for a new generation of it. Small sports car, lightweight, and hopefully affordable. The Genesis is a luxury sports car, and this is basically...just a sports car. It's cool to me that they'd even consider bringing it back.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AE86 And here's the wiki for the original car.

[AriadosMan]

Oct 8, 2009 17:32:15 GMT -5 Alucard said:

Oct 8, 2009 0:28:59 GMT -5 AriadosMan said:

What is this car? The Toyota equivalent of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe I've heard so much about?
Just curious.

Not exactly. The Toyota AE86 Sprinter Trueno or Levin was a small rear wheel drive sports car introduced in 1983 and was in production until about 1991 I believe. It was much bigger in Japan, having a popular manga/anime series featuring it as it's star car (and yes, it was outdated by this point, but that was the idea). It's been featured prominently in Gran Turismo and other racing games in recent years. It's not exactly a looker anymore, but they're still popular cars amongst the autocross and drift scene.

And the FT-86 is a concept for a new generation of it. Small sports car, lightweight, and hopefully affordable.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AE86 And here's the wiki for the original car.

Thanks. This must be one of the many models JP manufacturers never incorporated into their US lineup. Hopefully increasing globalization of lineups and better demand for smaller cars will give it a shot.

[Alucard]

Oct 8, 2009 17:36:38 GMT -5 AriadosMan said:

Oct 8, 2009 17:32:15 GMT -5 Alucard said:

Not exactly. The Toyota AE86 Sprinter Trueno or Levin was a small rear wheel drive sports car introduced in 1983 and was in production until about 1991 I believe. It was much bigger in Japan, having a popular manga/anime series featuring it as it's star car (and yes, it was outdated by this point, but that was the idea). It's been featured prominently in Gran Turismo and other racing games in recent years. It's not exactly a looker anymore, but they're still popular cars amongst the autocross and drift scene.

And the FT-86 is a concept for a new generation of it. Small sports car, lightweight, and hopefully affordable.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AE86 And here's the wiki for the original car.

Thanks. This must be one of the many models JP manufacturers never incorporated into their US lineup. Hopefully increasing globalization of lineups and better demand for smaller cars will give it a shot.

They had the '86 over here but they were pretty uncommon, most favored Toyota's more practical vehicles at the time. It was released in the US as a Corolla GT-S. They basically looked the same but with some ugly font on the side doors declaring them to be Corolla GT-S's.

www.itnetwerk.com/news/resserver.php?blogId=4&resource=1986-corolla-gts.jpg

They're pretty sought after now, it's kind of absurd that people are willing to shell out so much moolah for such an old car, but the platform is apparently a lot of fun and easy to work on, so I guess I can see the appeal, especially to racing hobbyists.

I'm hoping for the same thing though, the market for fun little go-kart sports cars has been dry for years. It's pretty much been Mustang, Toyota MR-2 Spyder, RX-8 (can be pricey), Miata (I'm tall, I don't fit unless the top is down), S-2000 (pricey) older Camaro, or nothing.

I don't mind front wheel drive cars, they have their advantages, but front wheel drive just doesn't scream "fun sports car" to me, y'know?

[AriadosMan]

Oct 8, 2009 17:43:26 GMT -5 Alucard said:

Oct 8, 2009 17:36:38 GMT -5 AriadosMan said:

Thanks. This must be one of the many models JP manufacturers never incorporated into their US lineup. Hopefully increasing globalization of lineups and better demand for smaller cars will give it a shot.

They had the '86 over here but they were pretty uncommon, most favored Toyota's more practical vehicles at the time. It was released in the US as a Corolla GT-S. They basically looked the same but with some ugly font on the side doors declaring them to be Corolla GT-S's.

www.itnetwerk.com/news/resserver.php?blogId=4&resource=1986-corolla-gts.jpg

They're pretty sought after now, it's kind of absurd that people are willing to shell out so much moolah for such an old car, but the platform is apparently a lot of fun and easy to work on, so I guess I can see the appeal, especially to racing hobbyists.

I'm hoping for the same thing though, the market for fun little go-kart sports cars has been dry for years. It's pretty much been Mustang, Toyota MR-2 Spyder, RX-8 (can be pricey), Miata (I'm tall, I don't fit unless the top is down), S-2000 (pricey) older Camaro, or nothing.

I don't mind front wheel drive cars, they have their advantages, but front wheel drive just doesn't scream "fun sports car" to me, y'know?

Are Fieros expensive too? That was another cult sports car and I've seen a guy driving around one that looks like it was restored in my area. By "restored" I mean it looks shiny and well maintained.

[Alucard]

Oct 8, 2009 18:10:19 GMT -5 AriadosMan said:

Oct 8, 2009 17:43:26 GMT -5 Alucard said:

They had the '86 over here but they were pretty uncommon, most favored Toyota's more practical vehicles at the time. It was released in the US as a Corolla GT-S. They basically looked the same but with some ugly font on the side doors declaring them to be Corolla GT-S's.

www.itnetwerk.com/news/resserver.php?blogId=4&resource=1986-corolla-gts.jpg

They're pretty sought after now, it's kind of absurd that people are willing to shell out so much moolah for such an old car, but the platform is apparently a lot of fun and easy to work on, so I guess I can see the appeal, especially to racing hobbyists.

I'm hoping for the same thing though, the market for fun little go-kart sports cars has been dry for years. It's pretty much been Mustang, Toyota MR-2 Spyder, RX-8 (can be pricey), Miata (I'm tall, I don't fit unless the top is down), S-2000 (pricey) older Camaro, or nothing.

I don't mind front wheel drive cars, they have their advantages, but front wheel drive just doesn't scream "fun sports car" to me, y'know?

Are Fieros expensive too? That was another cult sports car and I've seen a guy driving around one that looks like it was restored in my area. By "restored" I mean it looks shiny and well maintained.

Yeah, I believe they have a community too. I've seen quite a few as well. I've always liked the Ferrari conversion kits for them, haha, it's like a sheep in wolf's clothing. But yeah I think other than some reliability issues they're fine mid-ship cars.