(continued from above)
With its long, low bonnet, high wings and rear-set cabin, the FT-86 II pays
homage to Toyota's sports car history and is an entirely driver-oriented
concept. It was created at Toyota's European design studio ED2, where its
styling was dubbed 'functional beauty': its bold, sweeping form has been
generated purely according to the constraints of function and aerodynamics.
The low, highly aerodynamic bodyshell is stretched tight over the
engineering hard points, with the muscular bodywork rendered as compact as
possible. The concept measures 166.7 inches (4,235 mm) long, 70.7 inches (1,795
mm) wide and 50 inches (1,270 mm) high, with a long, 101.2-inch (2,570-mm)
wheelbase.
Rather than using a heavy, large displacement powertrain to
secure performance, the FT86 II returns to Toyota's sporting roots by combining
a free-revving boxer petrol engine with a compact and lightweight six-speed
manual transmission and a low centre of gravity to achieve the best possible
power to weight ratio.
Both the powertrain and the driving position have been set
as low and as far back as possible to optimize balance for maximum poise,
high-speed stability and agility. With a front-engine/rear-wheel drive
configuration, this gives the car lively, accessible performance that is easy to
harness and enjoy.
The FT-86 II Concept is the latest stage in the
development of a new, compact rear-wheel drive sports car that is being jointly
developed by Toyota and Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru). The new model will be
launched in Europe in 2012.
