Test Drivers' Suggestions "Blamed" for the Re-Design of the Toyota FT-86 Coupe

Toyota's FT-86 II pre-production concept car displayed at the Geneva Motor Show last week attracted a lot of attention, with many viewing the car's styling as a step back from the FT-86. However, as Toyota explained, these changes were not imposed only by designers, but by the company's test drivers and safety regulations as well.

More precisely, the feedback received from the test drivers after the early development stages had the biggest influence on the look of the FT-86 II. The most important change requested was to move back the A-pillars by around 100 mm at the base, which led to a more vertical windscreen.

�We had feedback from drivers who felt that the angle of the A-pillars created a type of �tunnel vision�,� Akihiro Nagaya, head of Toyota design division, told Autocar. �This could sometimes make the car hard to place on the road, particularly at higher speeds. The theory behind this car remains that of the �86� (the original Corolla AE-86), which was easy and pure to drive, so we had to change it,� Toyota�s official added.

Another important change from the original FT-86 Concept is the taller nose, adopted in order to comply with pedestrian impact regulations, a modification which alters the sharp profile of the original concept. Toyota's designers complicated things even more with overly aggressive styling on the front and rear ends.

So, how many of these changes will we see on the production car? According to Nagaya, the road car will share around 50 to 70 percent of its looks with the FT-86 II. Another interesting statement made by Nagaya was that Subaru's version of this car will look very much like the Toyota, with the approach being similar to the S-Verso/Trezia rebadging work.

By Dan Mihalascu

Source: Autocar

TOYOTA FT-86 II CONCEPT

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TOYOTA FT-86 I CONCEPT

Toyota FT-86 II Concept in the Flesh and on GT5-like Video Footage

Toyota has published two brand new videos of its FT-86 II concept car that broke cover at this week's 81st Geneva International Motor Show. The first video is a real-life 'walk-around' of the actual concept model while the second clip shows the FT-86 II in some virtual racing action in what appears to be -but is not mentioned-the Gran Turismo 5 game (if we're wrong on this one, let us know in the comments section).

The FT-86 II is the final concept version of Toyota's upcoming rear-wheel drive sports coupe before the production model comes to life next year. For the details on the styling changes over the original study, read our previous article here.

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Geneva 2011: Toyota FT-86 II Concept Moves One Step Closer to Production [Updated Gallery]

Toyota has revealed photos of the second iteration of its FT-86 Concept car that is said to be very close to the actual production version due to go on sale in 2012. The Geneva Motor Show FT-86 II features several styling differences over the original concept shown at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

First off, Toyota's designers restyled the coupe's profile by eliminating the lower swoop line and adding a new beltline that starts from the front wheel arch with a cheesy air vent and finishes off on the tip of the rear window, which itself has grown in size. In addition, Toyota also split the front window and abolished the blacked out A-Column finish, while the rear wheel arches are more pronounced and there are new side rocker panels.

At the front end there's a new bumper with a larger center grille and more concave surfaces on both corners, while Toyota also threw in a pair of gaudy looking LED daytime running lights.

Finally, Toyota revamped the FT-86's rear end with new standalone, protruding tail lamps and a different treatment for the bumper that houses a more pronounced diffuser and large tail pipes on either side. The re-sculptured boot lid and the fitment of a fixed wing round off the styling changes.

The overall feeling we get is that Toyota went all 'Fast and Furious' with the FT-86's redesign making the coupe look unnecessary busy and ultimately, far less sleek compared to the original concept.

The company said the new concept measures 4,235mm long, 1,795mm wide and 1,270mm high, meaning it has grown 75mm in length, 35mm in width, and 10mm in height while riding on the same 2,570mm long wheelbase as the FT-86 I.

The rest of the specs remain a secret for now as the only details we know for sure is that the FT-86 will get a Subaru-sourced boxer engine with power being delivered to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. The same setup will be used on Subaru's version of the FT-86 that was also on display at the Geneva Motor Show, albeit with a see-through plastic body.

As always, we'd like to hear what you have to say about the FT-86 II in our comments section below.

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Toyota Shows Yaris HSD Concept in Geneva, Production Model to Follow in 2012

Toyota premiered its first superimini hybrid model based on the next-generation Yaris at the Geneva Motor Show today. The Yaris HSD Concept is essentially a teaser version of the production hybrid model that Toyota will launch in Europe in 2012.

In a similar fashion to the Auris HSD before it, the Hybrid Synergy Drive version of the Yaris features some bespoke styling cues that separate it from its conventional sibling. These include the large trapezoidal lower grille, the vertical �aero� corners housed in the front bumper that minimise air turbulence and the rear reflectors in the rear bumper. Other changes include the 18-inch rims, specially designed to aid brake cooling.

For the sake of aerodynamics, the Yaris HSD uses thin rear-view cameras instead of conventional door mirrors and even the shape of door handles has been modeled to improve airflow around the car. Building on the eco theme, the roof of the car is covered with solar panels that provide power for the air conditioning system.

Although no official figures are offered, Toyota stresses that the Yaris HSV produces zero CO2, NOx and particulates tailpipe emissions while in full EV mode. The Yaris hybrid will be built at Toyota's Valenciennes plant in France and will be on sale during the second half of 2012. By 2020, the Japanese manufacturer plans to offer full-hybrid variants for its entire European lineup.

By Dan Mihalascu

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