Toyota hints at bringing back the Celica
February 1, 2011 Leave a comment
A hint of things to come
Toyota has released a preview of its concept sports car for the Geneva Motor Show – the Toyota FT-86 II.
This is the latest version of the Toyota FT-86 seen at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, and considered by many to be ‘the new Toyota Celica’.
Toyota is saying little about the latest iteration, but is purposefully hinting at an extra edge to the new car with a sneak preview of its front end look.
This shows a crisper, more defined front end look, with what appears to be a low bonnet line and ample engine air intakes. Headlights are also distinctive and detail-packed.
The original Toyota FT-86 was first shown at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, and is a rear-drive sports car co-developed with Subaru.
It is rumoured to use a 2.0-litre Subaru ‘boxer’ engine, with four horizontally opposed cylinders that are a Subaru trademark. The platform is also said to be derived from the Subaru Impreza.
Toyota is said to be planning a launch of the car in late 2011 – perhaps meaning the production version will be shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show later in the year? We’ll find out more at Geneva and be the first to tell you.
And why FT-86? It’s in reference to the original Toyota AE86, a rear-drive compact sports coupe .
Indeed, Toyota says in the news release that the FT-86 II ‘embodies the company’s reborn passion for sports car driving’ – meaning we have a real driver’s car in waiting? Here’s hoping!
