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Toyota's FT-86 gets production specs, new 'GT 86' moniker

It's been years in the making, but Toyota's new small RWD sports car is finally here.

Antuan Goodwin Reviews Editor / Cars
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Expertise Reviewing cars and car technology since 2008 focusing on electrification, driver assistance and infotainment Credentials
  • North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
Antuan Goodwin
3 min read
Toyota Motor Co.

We finally have official specs and details about the production model of Toyota's FT-86 small sports car, one of which is its new name: the Toyota GT 86.

At least, it will be known as the GT 86 in the European market. In the Japanese market, it may be simply known as the Toyota 86 or Hachiroku in the Japanese tongue. And when the model reaches U.S. shores next year, it may do so wearing a Scion badge with an FR-S or similar nameplate.

We already knew that Toyota's small sports car would be motivated by a Subaru-developed 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine that sends power to the rear wheels by way of either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters, but now we have an officially quoted output of 197 horsepower. The D-4S engine, as it is called, makes use of a combination of direct and port injection to generate 151 pound-feet of torque. That torque is then split between the rear wheels by way of a limited-slip differential.

Production Toyota GT 86 officially announced
Although the model will reach U.K. and Japanese showrooms wearing a 'GT 86' badge, there's still a chance that the U.S. version will be a Scion. Toyota Motor

That's not a ton of power, but Toyota thinks it will be plenty for sporty acceleration, thanks to the 86's emphasis on low weight and low center of gravity. Toyota hasn't officially unveiled the curb weight, but rumblings around the Internet indicate that the coupe will tip the scales at about 2,600 pounds. This means that the each of the 86's ponies has to pull about 13.2 pounds of car, that's a weight-to-power ratio that, on paper, translates to acceleration that is slightly better than a 2012 Mazda Miata or a 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T. Toyota also makes it a point to note that the horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine is mounted low and aft in the engine bay to promote a lower center of gravity and a 53:47 weight balance between the front and rear axles.

In the cabin, the compact GT 86 is revealed to be a 2+2 with an actual rear seat, although exactly how useful the back seat will be in a vehicle that's actually about an inch shorter than the Nissan 370Z, but if Toyota figured out how to fit 3-plus adults in an iQ, it should be able to work similar magic here as well.

Toyota GT 86 gets official (photos)

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While we're examining the cabin, we have to make note of the 86's instrumentation that places a large white face tachometer with an integrated digital speedometer directly in front of the driver. Flanking it are what appear to be an analog speedometer and fuel/temperature gauges. Creature comforts such as push-button start, heated front seats, and automatic climate controls are definitely available. As is a touch-screen navigation system with Bluetooth, USB, and SD card connectivity. Whether that system or one similar to the latest generation of Scion receivers makes it to US dealers remains to be seen.

Getting back outside of the vehicle, the GT 86 will feature standard 17-inch wheels, a low profile spoiler, and an aggressive front end that is proof that the FT-86 II concept was pretty spot on for the production model. You can see just how spot on in the video below that compare the concept to the production model. There's also a very cool "86" piston logo adorning the front fenders.

The Toyota GT 86 is set to be officially officially unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, which kicks off in just two days, where we will possibly learn details on pricing, packaging, and cabin tech.