Latest News
New Toyota may be called Celica
22 October 2009
Toyota's new rear-wheel-drive sports coupe could be called the Celica, autocar.co.uk has learned.
The concept version of the car, which is being co-developed by Toyota and Subaru and is due to go on sale in 2012, was unveiled at this week's Tokyo motor show.
The concept, badged FT-86 in homage to the Toyota Corolla AE-86 GT, is being developed to increase the company's credibility among young Japanese buyers.
Hi-res pictures of the Toyota FT-86 concept car
As a result, the Celica name is reported to be being evaluated by Toyota as its history resonates with its target audience. However, no final decisions on the name have bene made.
Toyota has charge of the car's concept and design, while Subaru is supplying hardware including the engine, six-speed gearbox and possibly suspension. The car will also be built at Subaru factories, as it has spare capacity at present.
However, the car, which engineers describe as front mid-engined because the engine is so short and can be cited so far back, sits on a new rear-drive platform, which can be adapted to four-wheel drive, an option Subaru is said to be evaluating.
The short, low engine has other benefits; designers suggest that it will allow them to apply a radically low bonnet line on the car, giving it strikingly different looks.
Speculation at the Tokyo motor show suggested the car will be powered by both normally aspirated and turbocharged versions of improved Subaru engines, and be priced to undercut the rival Nissan 370Z at a starting price of around £22,000.
Steve Cropley
Twitter - follow autocar.co.uk
See all the latest Toyota reviews, news and video
Your say
Comments: 14 Join the discussion
