EJ25RUN
03-13-2010, 12:46 PM
http://www.7tune.com/no-awd-for-subarus-ft-86-clone/
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/readerspytoyobarucoupeopt.jpg
No AWD For Subaru’s Version Of The FT-86
March 13, 2010 by Justin Karow
Filed under Japanese News, Latest Articles
Cost overruns have made Subaru think again about developing an AWD version of its FT-86 based sports car.
no_4wd_for_suabaru_261a
It’s been a while since we reported that Subaru were working on an AWD system for its 216A variant of the FT-86 compact sports car and since then some changes have come about concerning the driveline and how that could impact sales. Apparently development costs have spiralled to the point where Subaru can no longer justify the inclusion of the AWD system and as a result has brought some doubt upon the 216A’s ultimate sales potential as a ‘clone’. This has essentially rendered the rumored STi variant a carbon copy of the FT-86 G Sports Concept under its skin, so Subaru have now turned to exterior styling to make up for the lack of mechanical differentiation from the FT-86.
To bring added individuality to the 216A, the focus in now on redesigning the area from the A-pillar forward and giving it a more distinctive front end design rather than merely swapping badges and putting on a different grille. If Toyota do indeed go ahead and release the G Sports version of the FT-86, Subaru will counter that with its own STi version which will then provide the basis for an R205-like special edition.
Prices for the STi and G Sports versions are expected to be 3.5 million JPY and 3 million JPY respectively, with the base model for both automakers to sell for around 2.5 million JPY.
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/readerspytoyobarucoupeopt.jpg
No AWD For Subaru’s Version Of The FT-86
March 13, 2010 by Justin Karow
Filed under Japanese News, Latest Articles
Cost overruns have made Subaru think again about developing an AWD version of its FT-86 based sports car.
no_4wd_for_suabaru_261a
It’s been a while since we reported that Subaru were working on an AWD system for its 216A variant of the FT-86 compact sports car and since then some changes have come about concerning the driveline and how that could impact sales. Apparently development costs have spiralled to the point where Subaru can no longer justify the inclusion of the AWD system and as a result has brought some doubt upon the 216A’s ultimate sales potential as a ‘clone’. This has essentially rendered the rumored STi variant a carbon copy of the FT-86 G Sports Concept under its skin, so Subaru have now turned to exterior styling to make up for the lack of mechanical differentiation from the FT-86.
To bring added individuality to the 216A, the focus in now on redesigning the area from the A-pillar forward and giving it a more distinctive front end design rather than merely swapping badges and putting on a different grille. If Toyota do indeed go ahead and release the G Sports version of the FT-86, Subaru will counter that with its own STi version which will then provide the basis for an R205-like special edition.
Prices for the STi and G Sports versions are expected to be 3.5 million JPY and 3 million JPY respectively, with the base model for both automakers to sell for around 2.5 million JPY.