Rumormill: Has Toyota scrapped the design of the FT-86?

[xtop]

This is... odd. But here's the very long story short. Japan's Holiday Autos is reporting that Toyota has decided to scrap the design of the so far pretty much beloved FT-86. Don't worry, the FT-86 and its rear-wheel drive, simple, cheap, sporty self isn't in danger. Toyota had three competing designs to work worth and have picked one that they liked better than the car we saw in Tokyo. That is their right and privilege.

This new design is reportedly the work of a Northern American design team also known as Calty Design Research, beating out Toyota's other European and Japanese proposals. The European team is responsible for the FT-86 concept we've seen so far. Trouble is, we have no idea what this new car looks like and we like how the concept looked. FT86club.com has a rendering of what the new car may look like posted here. But again, who knows? Especially as Holiday Autos doesn't strike us as the most trustworthy of sources. We'll try to do some digging and keep you posted. Tip of the floppy fedora to Cameron!

hopefully if its true, the new design is even cooler

[xtop]

We're used to seeing Digg boosting our stories, but once in a while the popular user-voted news site generates some original content of its own. This time, a Digg correspondent got 30 minutes of camera time with Jim Lentz, who, as President and COO of Toyota Motor Sales USA, very well might be the busiest man in America right now. Lentz fielded a series of questions – mostly related to the recall – submitted by users and voted (or Dugg) into the list. But one of them had little to do with the recall at all; it had to do with sportscars.

The question was whether Toyota had any plans, after years without any real sportscar offerings in North America, to bring back the Supra or offer a new affordable sportscar. Lentz's answer, as you can see in the video segment after the jump, was enlightening. The short of it was that the Supra won't be brought back to these shores, but the FT-86 will.

From that we can surmise a few things. First of all, the final production version of the concept will not be called the Supra. Secondly, the FT-86 – or whatever it's called when it comes to market – will be considerably more affordable than the Supra was. And finally, the FT-86 will be coming to North America. So there you have it. But don't take our word for it – we've posted the pertinent excerpt after the jump, along with the full 28-minute video below it.

high level of want

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by xtop

high level of want

You know you want the TURBO edition!

[SteelPen]

The FT-86 better come to the US!

[PrivatePixel]

Here's an interesting rumour regarding the FT-86's design:

Toyota FT-86 Concept Design Rejected

I love the FT-86 Concept's design as is, but I understand that certain elements aren't cost-effective from a manufacturing standpoint, and the design may have to be tweaked to accomodate USDT and NHTSA rules regarding safety; as long as there are enough design cues that retain the 'wow' factor, that's all I want and care about.

[GLaDOS]

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

I love the FT-86 Concept's design as is, but I understand that certain elements aren't cost-effective from a manufacturing standpoint, and the design may have to be tweaked to accomodate USDT and NHTSA rules regarding safety; as long as there are enough design cues that retain the 'wow' factor, that's all I want and care about.

I totally agree with you there. If I can recall, the same thing happened when the Tata Nano was announced for US release.

[PrivatePixel]

Oh, and another thing: whatever you do, Toyota, do not badge this as a Scion under any circumstance!