The Case For The FT-86 In One Picture

by Edward Niedermeyer

Updated: November 4th, 2022 Published: November 5th, 2011

Tired of being teased? Can’t wait for the FT-86 to get here already? This picture won’t help…

#3WTP #Design #Enthusiasm #FutureVehicles #Hachi-roku

Edward Niedermeyer

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6 of 53 comments

Robert Fahey on Nov 05, 2011

Assuming you're right about the price, the value is in the fact that it DOES NOT HAVE the two extra doors, DOES NOT HAVE all wheel drive to weigh it down, and DOES NOT NEED more engine.

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Sam P on Nov 06, 2011

This is one car that could get me out of my E46 Bimmer even if conceptually it's somewhat different. I'll have to test drive one.

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DasFast on Nov 06, 2011

Glad to see the FT/BRZ introduction coming within sight. I think it's extremely important to note that this will be the first affordable sports car with such careful attention paid to mass centralization and low centre of gravity. (The RX-8 be argued as their precursor, albeit a flawed gem.) Motorcycles, snowmobiles and ATVs have gone through similar engineering transformations, with revolutionary changes to handling dynamics being the result. The 458 Italia and Cayman are consistently ranked as two of the best handling cars in the world because of similar dynamic foundations. Given it's engine placement and low CG, the FT/BRZ will have a low polar moment of inertia like the previous two, but have the advantage of front engine placement. I remember reading in an interview that the goal was to create a car that would rotate around the hip point of the driver. Even given it's foundation, the car's execution could fall way short of the mark, so it's success can not be not be predetermined. That said, I have a feeling we could be staring at a seminal piece of auto engineering. Although a tango between two unlikely dance partners, Toyota is able to leverage the only existing engines that could make such a car possible, while Subaru loses the AWD marketing angle but can play up it's flat engine heritage, and gains a car it would never make all on it's own. Smart. I also read the idea of a sedan was being seriously considered. Sounds like the kind of car that could change a company's image in short order. Curiously, flipping the powertrain behind the driver could create a new version of the MR-2. Please note: I AM NO FAN BOI, please direct your impassioned replies elsewhere...

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- Bikegoesbaa on Nov 06, 2011
  
  I think I remember reading that the current-generation Miata was also designed with mass centralization as a primary goal.
  
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- DasFast on Nov 07, 2011
  
  @bikegoesbaa It was, but the Miata has an upright four banger and carries it's weight differently, more like an S2000. A short, squat boxer engine allows engine placement far different than these two. The packaging of the RX-8's rotary so close to the firewall and low in the chassis is likely going to be a much closer comparison. That car with the R3 option is also consistently considered to be one of the best handling cars at any price. All brand nonsense aside, this is simply a matter of where, and how much weight this car carries. Take another look at the front view of the engine. The black, top third of the engine is a plastic intake runner. The heavy parts are the lower two thirds in metal. It is mounted extremely low. Also consider that this car is much smaller and lower to the ground that it appears in pictures. If you've seen shots of a GT-R and LFA parked side by side, you'll understand what I mean. The Nissan is a significantly taller car. The FT/BRZ is a small, squat car with wheels pushed to the corners. It should be the biz...
  
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SCE to AUX on Nov 06, 2011

Subaru and Scion: Two wrongs don't make a right. This poor car will be an orphan.

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