Toyota FT-86 Launch Delayed By Two Years To 2013, Says Report

Don't wait with bated breath for the new Toyota FT-86, because Toyota's latest sports car will only arrive in 2013, according to a report from Best Car Magazine. Co-developed with Subaru, the rear-driven coupe was originally scheduled for a launch in 2011. However, the latest report cites Japan's current lacklustre economic climate as well as talks of a design overhaul as the two main factors contributing to the two-year delay.

Toyota is not idling in the meantime: The Japanese automaker is paying close attention to the response that the new Honda CR-Z sports hybrid hatchback is getting. If the Honda is well-received, the FT-86 could be made available with a hybrid drivetrain straight from launch, in addition to the 2.0-litre four-cylinder Boxer engine sourced from Subaru.

Expectations are expectedly high for the FT-86, after all Toyota did bring us sports cars like the AE-86, the Supra, the MR-2, the Celica and the 2000GT. And it would appear that Toyota wants to get the FT-86 absolutely right, too, preferring to perfect the car's design instead of sticking to a pre-announced timeline. Let's just hope there are no further delays...

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.