Subaru's Version Of Toyota FT-86 To Be Larger, More Powerful, Higher-Priced

Ever since news of the joint Toyota-Subaru project on creating a relatively affordable sports car broke, it was assumed by most (okie, us) that both companies would produce mechanically similar cars. Toyota has given the public a glimpse with the Toyota FT-86, while Subaru has been tight-lipped on their plans. According to a report from Inside Line, however, the two cars will be very different.

FT-86 is rumoured to be driven through its rear wheels by a 2.0-litre Boxer four-cylinder engine generating around 200 horsepower. Subaru's version is said to adopt Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive system, along with the same engine but with 50 horsepower more. The extra power would be necessary to offset the weight increase from all the four-wheel drive hardware.

The report further suggests that the Subaru will have a longer wheelbase than the Toyota. So, being a larger, more powerful and all-wheel driven sports car compared to FT-86, the Subaru is expected to command a price premium, preventing direct competition between the two models, and better differentiating between the upcoming sports coupe and Impreza WRX, Subaru's sportiest model thus far.

AboutSeow Yaohan

Seow Yao Han strives to bring you the latest and the most comprehensive information on cars available in Malaysia. But it's never easy for him to talk and write cars in this part of the world because what you lust after is often not what you drive home. When the euphoria of test-driving that branded, super-expensive sports car dies down, he just goes home in his less-than-glamorous ride.