New AE86? Toyota plans to make a new rear wheel drive sports car

 

 

 

So this isn’t the first time Toyota has tried to use the popularity of everyone’s favorite drift car from the eighties. Toyota made the RS200 Altezza in 1999 with the same idea. The Altezza was an FR sports car with a Yamaha tuned (like the original) 2.0 engine making 210 hp. The vehicle made international markets as the Lexus IS200 but to me it lost it’s appeal as a Lexus. The price tag was high and the North American engine was the heavy 2jz. Nonetheless the Altezza is one of my favorite cars.

 

So Toyota is taking another shot at it. The new car is said to be around 1300 kg, rear wheel drive, and sporty. Where the Altezza was a 4 door, the new car will be a 2 + 2 like the old Toyota sports cars. Remember how old Japanese sports cars had back seats for decoration only? The engine is not fully confirmed at this time but in a strange twist Toyota will be going with the 2.0 EJ20 Engine tuned for about 220 hp. That’s right, the Impreza engine from Japan without the turbos. Toyota will also use the Drivetrain and chassis from the Impreza. This comes as little surprise for people watching the vehicle markets since Toyota has been buying Subaru little by little recently and this seems to be their first joint venture into vehicle manufacturing. There is also word that Subaru will produce a clone of this car.

 

 

 

 

Okay, before you write off this vehicle as a brand engineered heartless money making vehicle, lets think of the possibilities. Toyota will be doing the chassis tuning, suspension, quality control, styling, and production of the car. Whether you like Subaru engines or not the boxer does have benefits. It is very short and wide. This means there will be a low front center of gravity. Because the engine is wide, the track will be wide as well. Try to think of the last low wide Toyota you have seen. It recalls memories of the GT-4 Celicas, and the Supras. Toyota has also confirmed the size as being low and wide which is great for handling.

 

Subaru recently showed an NA STI. It is basically an STI Impreza with no turbos but 250 hp from a 2.0 EJ20. I’m guessing that would be the engine used in the Toyota. You might see it detuned in the end though. It is said that Toyota will be taking part in the engine tuning as well since Toyota is making the all new direct injection system for the engine. Expect the engine to be high revving with high top end power.

 

With this being a common Subaru engine you will see lots of tuner support already. This was a concern of Toyota’s as they want to capture the youth market. Toyota officially asked members of forums including the AE86 club4ag.com what they wanted in the new car. Toyota wants the price to be really low and is shooting for a Japanese price of 2000000 yen ($25000) but the price is subject to change a lot by the time the vehicle is produced. Toyota has said that this vehicle is key to their rejuvenation of selling vehicle to the youth and sporty markets and that it won’t be cancelled due to the economic situation.

 

Here is a chart displaying the vehicle compared to the old AE86, and the new 370z.

 

One point that is very important in the development is that the chief engineer on the original AE86 will be heading the development on this car. He is a self proclaimed car nut and has also worked on the Altezza. So if this vehicle doesn’t live up to the greatness of the AE86, we know it will be a great little sports car. Thank you Toyota for thinking about us sports car fans.

 

Pictures from 7tune.com. Originally from Car Top Magazine.