The car that has been dubbed the ‘Toyobaru’ has been revealed for the first time. Toyota’s new FT-86 concept will appear at this month’s Tokyo motor show as the first half of a joint-venture rear-wheel-drive sports car with Subaru.

The affordable compact coupe will go on sale in late 2011 with a Toyota badge, followed by the Subaru version that should get its own styling. Toyota has designed the FT-86 that is both short (4160mm) and low (1260mm) and borrows styling cues from the company’s FT-HS concept. Blacked-out A-pillars create a sporty wrap-around windscreen.

Toyota says the FT-86 is a five-seater and which based on a shortened version of the Impreza small car platform also modified from all-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive. Subaru’s 2.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-four ‘boxer’ engine will add to the coupe’s low centre of gravity that will aid handling. It will be mated to a six-speed manual.

From the photos, the mostly grey interior looks more concept than production car, though. A strong hexagonal theme dominates the FT-86’s dash, notably the air vents and rear-view mirror.

The three-spoke steering wheel features a flat bottom for a sporty touch, while there’s the now mandatory engine start/stop button.

The FT-86 will be a much-needed model for Toyota, a brand that has been searching for an image boost after discontinuing its most exciting products in recent years – the Supra, MR2 and Celica.

In 2008, Toyota to double its stake from 8.7 to 16.5 per cent in Subaru’s parent company Fuji Heavy Industries when the sports car collaboration was first announced. There was speculation the project was delayed by the financial crisis, though the joint development should significantly reduce production costs for both parties.

Click here to view 13 photos of Toyota FT-86 Concept along with a Trailer Video of Toyota FT-86 in Gran Turismo 5 for Sony Playstation3

Rob Dyrdeks known for it’s show – Fantasy Factory on MTV has joined Ken Block in some drifting action in Gymkhana. After Ken Block doing a sucess video as Gymkhana 2 – Refer to the video we posted earlier. , Rob built a custom Go-Kart based mini Subaru Impreza V10 which is almost identical to Ken Block’s new Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti V10 ( other than the open sun roof for the head). The video as named as Gymkhana 2.1 features stunts,racing and some combination of drifting actions of 2 cars together. Watch out for a part where Ken Block actually knocks on Rob Drydeks mini Subaru !

Ken Block – a well known Rally driver that has caught the world’s attention with it’s first Gymkhana drifting/rallying practice video in youtube over 20 million viewers worldwide. While not many know, Ken Block is also the original Co-Founder of DC Shoes. This time DC Shoes Company has decided to work with Ken Block with some clothing products of DC Shoes as Ken Block series. Unlike normal commercial, they call this as infomercials with great action, dramatic drifting scene and stunts. Not to forget, this time they features Ken Block new mean machine – a fully tuned up new Subaru Impreza WRX STI Version 10. Watch the exciting video. Kids, do not try this at anywhere.

Subaru is officially introducing the Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C for the current model. The car hits the market on the July 23, 2009 and makes several improvements on top of the standard STI. The production of the Spec C limited to 900 units only.

The Spec C has lightened the body and weight by fitting with lighter body panel, smaller battery, laminar glass on front and side windows. Besides, the 18″ lightweight alloy wheels (or optional 17″) with seven double spokes are wrapped with Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tyres like the FD2 Civic Type R to improve cornering and grips. Instead of a spare tyre in the trunk, a flat tyre repair kit is placed as part of weight reduction. A recalibrated power steering system to have a nimble handling with a firm steering feel too.

The guys on this project had reprogrammed the ECU and fitted with a redesigned turbocharger that uses new ball and axle bearings to boost the torque output to 422Nm while maintaining 304hp. Technically, the Rear LSD system are changed to a mechanical type from a Torsen type to obtain the steady and powerful traction to improve cornering. The retuned suspension changes in damping force of suspensions, coil spring rate, rear stabilizer and rear sub-frame bushes optimize rigidity for body roll and retain excellent road-holding capability. Besides those, a structural change of fuel pump as well which helps to provides stable fuel delivery even on high-load driving.

All WRX STI Spec models comes standard with gold Brembo brake calipers. The car come standard with front bucket seats that made by fabric with red stitch. However, a pair of Recaro brand bucket seats that made by combination of Alcantara and leather with red stitch are optional.

For the exterior, two exclusive exterior colors are available: Sunrise Yellow and Pure White. Of course, the standard Mica Blue is still available with Spec C. The pricing has not been officially released till date. 

Major specifications:

-Engine type: Horizontally-Opposed 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve turbocharged engine

-Displacement: 1,994 cc

-Maximum output: 227kW (308 PS)/6,400 rpm

-Maximum torque: 422 Nm (43.0 kgf·m)/4,400 rpm

-Turbo type: Ball-bearing type twin scroll turbocharger

Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec Version 10 – Photo Gallery

Every year journalist all over the world gather to test-drives and choose their favourite World Car of the Year (WCOTY). The 2010 World Car of the Year Nominees list is out. And the Nominees for the Overall World Car of the Year: 2010 are,

• Audi Q5
• BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo
• BMW X1
• BMW Z4
• Buick LaCrosse / Allure
• Cadillac SRX
• Chevrolet Camaro
• Chevrolet Cruze
• Citroën C3 Picasso
• Honda Insight
• Hyundai Genesis Coupe
• Hyundai i20
• Infiniti QX
• Jaguar XJ
• Kia Cerato Koup / Forte
• Kia Sorento
• Kia Soul
• Lexus HS250h
• Lexus RX
• Mazda3
• Mercedes-Benz E-Class
• Mitsubishi Outlander
• Nissan 370Z / 370Z Roadster
• Nissan Cube
• Nissan Patrol
• Peugeot 3008
• Porsche Boxster / Cayman
• Porsche Panamera
• Renault Scénic
• Subaru Legacy / Outback
• Toyota Prius

The voting and test-drive process will take place from now until the April 1, 2010 for the annoucement of All World Car award winners at New York International Auto Show.

For more info, you may refer the official World Car of the Year 2010 awards website.

A “Toyota insider” at Toyota R&D has supposedly spilled a few more beans to 7Tune and revealed that the upcoming Toyota compact sports car, codenamed 086A, will offer lines that look similar to the current Lexus LF-A prototype as seen at the recent Nürburgring 24 Hour endurance race.

The Toyota insider has apparently been sitting on this information for quite some time and has only now decided to come forward with it after seeing conflicting information in the Japanese press about two different body styles being tested. The insider claims he has seen the 086A and is adamant that only one body style will be offered and that body style will differ only very slightly between the Toyota and Subaru versions, such as the front grille, head/tail light treatment and badges.

When the insider was asked about the appearance of the 086A, he clearly pointed out that it will be lower and wider than the old ZZT231 Celica and will have an “standard 2+2 coupe style, with a shape similar to the Lexus LF-A”.

The renders above show what the 086A could look like with lines similar to the Lexus LF-A.

Toyota/Subaru Compact FR 086A Specifications
Engine: EJ20 Direct Injection Gasoline 4 Cylinder
Capacity: 1994cc
Power: 200PS
Torque: 20.0kg/m
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
Wheelbase: 2470mm
Total Length: 4200mm
Total Width: 1750mm
Total Height: 1300mm
Weight: 1200kg
Estimated Cost: 2,000,000 JPY

Latest rumors from Nihon Car, the STI crew may have a new project on their hands which is a racing version of the new Legacy for the Japanese Super GT series.

Although details are few and far between at this point, the Legacy STI would reportedly compete in the JGTCC GT300 class, not in the top-level GT500. The GT300 category closely mirrors production car specs, so don’t expect any wild conversions, but STI would surely push the envelope here, especially considering that their super-sedan would have to dice it with the likes of Porsche GT3s and race-prepped Ferraris and Lamborghinis.

Privateer team Cusco won a race last year at Sepang with a GT300-spec Impreza, where the all-wheel-drive proved an advantage, but there’s no telling what could happen if Subaru throws the weight of its factory support behind a works racing effort.

For German, they has a Porsche Museum in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen as well as BMW Museum in Munich. For the Asian, Subaru has a STI Gallery in Tokyo too.

Subaru Tecnica International (STi), the performance tuning division of Subaru marks the 20th year anniversary. Fuji Heavy is inaugurating the STI Gallery, a new museum in Tokyo that highlights the products and activities of its Subaru racing unit.

Museum is located at 3-9-6 Osawa, Mitaka, Tokyo and will be open everyday from 9:30am – 7:00pm. The most noteworthy section of the museum would have to be the car exhibits which showcase cars like Colin McRae’s Legacy RS which he used to win the 1993 WRC New Zealand rally.

We’ve heard all this before about Toyota and Subaru joint effort to build an FR Sports Coupe. But now, we now have stronger proof than ever that Toyota is getting back into the affordable sports-coupe game. This front-engine/rear-drive 2-door will reincarnate the spirit of the 1983–1987 Corolla AE86, a car that’s still popular today, especially among drift enthusiasts. According to Best Car magazine, Toyota’s code name for this future sports car is 086A. That it’s so similar to AE86 is no coincidence.

Toyota is partnering with Subaru to bring this project to reality. In fact, most of the engineering seems to be coming from the company known for its all-wheel-drive rally cars. Powering the future coupe will be Subaru’s 2.0-liter flat-4 equipped with a new direct-injection system, tuned to produce an impressive 200 bhp and 145 lb.-ft. of torque. We predict the car will weigh about 1225kg, so expect fairly quick acceleration times, probably around 6.0 seconds to 100km/h. The suspension will consist of MacPherson struts up front and a multilink setup at the rear, with the chassis based on that of the Subaru Impreza and Legacy.

Toyota will mainly be in charge of the car’s styling. Although both Toyota and Subaru versions will be offered, the two models won’t look much different, apart from badging wise. The car is scheduled to appear sometime in 2011 or 2012. If this future car truly is a reincarnation of the AE86, Toyota and Subaru will have a big hit on their hands.