Well it looks like the Subota will be joined in Geneva by an all-new Toyota FT-86. Toyota teased its second FT-86 today, indicating that the new coupe will provide “the clearest indication yet of the final design for Toyota’s next sports car.” In other words, it will be nearly identical to the production version.

Toyota hasn’t shown much in the teaser, but the FT-86 II, as it calls it, has a redesigned front-end with a new set of headlights. We like what we see so far, but will reserve our judgment until the full unveil.

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Toyota FT-86

It’s been a while since we’ve had any FT-86 news, but in a preview of the cars that it will show in Geneva, Subaru slipped in the fact that it will debut a concept based on the partnership with Toyota.

Called simply (or not so simply) Subaru Rear-Wheel Drive Sports Car Technology Concept, the car will feature Subaru’s horizontally opposed Boxer four in rear-wheel-drive configuration. Subaru didn’t get into any details on the specific engine, but the car is expected to be offered with a more powerful version of the 2.0-liter Boxer used in Toyota’s variant, possibly the turbocharged Boxer from the Impreza WRX STi. [via AutoBlog]

Well, it looks like the Toyota FT-86 is going to be a family. It’s pregnant with a sedan!

We’ve already heard that due to cost issues with the FT-86, Toyota is planning a smaller version to meet its original goal of a sub-$20K sports coupe, and today’s rumors indicate that Toyota is also working on a four-door variant of the FT-86.

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We’ve heard all kinds of details about the Toyota FT-86, but so far Subaru’s model has remained in the shadows. Today, Autocar blasted a beam of light over Subaru’s own sports car, a more powerful, more aggressive version of the FT-86.

Like the Toyota FT-86, Subaru’s version (no name yet) will feature a 200-hp version of Subaru’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. However, Subaru plans to add a little extra pep to its coupe by offering it with a 260-hp version of the turbocharged Boxer engine used in the Impreza WRX STi. The engines will deliver momentum to the rear wheels via six-speed manual transmissions.

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Since the exit of Toyota sports cars like the Supra and Celica, the world has been ready for something sportier from Toyota. Preferably something that accelerates only when you want it to.

We thought Toyota was going to appease these voices with the FT-86 next year, but it looks like we may have to wait a little longer. According to Best Car, Toyota will delay the launch of the FT-86 until 2013. Toyota is reportedly considering different styling and powertrain options, including a possible hybrid configuration.

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As the world waits to see the final incarnation of the great Subaru/Toyota partnership (i.e. FT-86), all we can do is speculate and gossip. Today, speculation has turned to an entirely new breed of FT-86: a sub-$20K sports coupe featuring the 109-hp 1.5-liter four-cylinder 3SZ-VE engine from the Scion xB. A Road & Track report indicates that the car will come in $5,000 cheaper than the standard FT-86, putting it as low as $15,000 to $16,000.

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Providing a diversion from its recall embroilment, however brief, Toyota U.S. president Jim Lentz confirmed that the FT-86 sports coupe will be making the trip to the U.S. He was speaking with Digg Dialogg when he made the statement. The spawn of the Toyota/Subaru team-up will fill the dire lack of a sports car with the Toyota logo. Of course, given the problems that rocks like the Corolla and Camry have experienced, we’re not sure that customers will have much faith in a RWD sports coupe–but hot looks have a way of erasing the negatives.

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The joint-venture sports coupe being designed by Subaru and Toyota has been a topic of conversation since the spring of last year. Recently the talk culminated in the FT-86 concept . While we still await a hands-on view of the concept at the Tokyo Motor Show, some spy shots of the actual car have been taken as it underwent testing at Germany’s Nurburgring. While the car is still in its early stages and will likely be changed drastically, the shots give an indication of what to be expected from the sporty Subota.  Indications are that Toyota is handling the design of the car, while Subaru is behind the engineering, so a four-cylinder boxer engine in naturally-aspirated and turbocharged varieties is expected at the helm. The Toyota version will reportedly hit Japan next year or in 2011 and remain a Japan exclusive, while the Subaru version is expected to be globally available. Get an early look at this beauty in the gallery after the break and decide if the combined efforts are paying off. [via Motor Authority]

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Toyota and Subaru have joined forces to develop a sport coupe concept that promises to stun at the Tokyo Motor Show this month. Dubbed Toyota FT-86 (Future Toyota 86 Concept), the rear-wheel drive sports concept car combines performance driving with environmental sensibility. Focusing on fuel efficiency, the new FT-86 runs on Subaru’s four-cylinder, naturally-aspirated 2.0L Boxer petrol engine that outputs 160 hp (with rumors talking about 200hp).  The 86 concept also boasts the handling of a racing car with a 6-speed manual transmission and ADVICS brakes. Guess we’ll have to wait for the Japanese motor show, but this early tease is precisely what the doctor ordered. [via WCF]

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