Archive for the ‘Subaru’ Category

The Toyobaru Frankenstein Comes to Life

Posted: February 12, 2011 in Subaru, Toyota
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In the internet age, there is a website for just about anything.  For a few years now, we have known that Toyota and Subaru are jointly developing a small rear-drive (yes, that’s not a typo, rear-drive), affordable sports coupe.  Officially code-named the Toyota FT-86/Subaru 086a, it’s been given all sorts of snarky names like Toyobaru, Subiyota, etc.  And it seems it has its own website (Toyobaru.net) devoted to following all the rumors, twists and turns surrounding the long gestation period for this little car – probably the most desirable Toyota in a very long time.

There are reports that the car will use a Subaru 4-cylinder boxer engine.  Sometimes it’s the 2.0 liter turbo, sometimes it’s the 2.5 liter version. We are also told it will be affordable. Probably more than $20,000 but less than $30,000.

This just in from our friends at Toyobaru.net:

We just got word of some breaking news regarding the Toyota FT-86 and Subaru variant. Back in October 2010 we received word the FT-86 would be badged a Scion in the USA. Today, we have further clarification that the car will be officially released as the Scion FT-S, not the FR-S. FT, which stands for “Future Toyota” makes less sense than the previous Trademark filed by Toyota called FR-S. It makes no sense to us either, but we’re just reporting whats been stated from recent Toyota Executive meetings! If you didn’t know, Scion’s are sold without rebates, and without Finance options, thus was the major decision to release the FT-S as a Scion. Toyota expects the car to retain upwards of 65% of its residual value after three years, like a Toyota should.

Read the full article here.

Toyota FT-86 Concept Car.

Here’s a YouTube video showing more details of the concept FT-86. It’s meant for the UK audience, but it fills in many styling details. Of course, it’s too much to hope for that the production version will be this sensational, but if you’re shopping for a small sporty coupe, it should be on the top of your shopping list at the end of 2011.

2010 Los Angeles Auto Show – Part 2

Posted: November 18, 2010 in Audi, BMW, Buick, Car Shows, Chevrolet, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Lamborghini, Lotus, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Nissan, Porsche, Ram, Range Rover, Saab, Subaru, Suzuki, Tesla Motors, Toyota
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Day Two of Press Preview of the LA Auto Show was hectic.  There were lots of cool new cars, but some were missing. There wasn’t a Maserati, Ferrari or Lamborghini in sight even though there were reports about a new Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder introduction.  No show for Bentley either. We should have seen the new Bentley Continental GT. Maybe it will be there later in the week.

I also missed the introduction of the Hyundai Equus. Hyundai didn’t even have a Genesis on the floor. I’m sure those will all show up for the regular show.

Mitsubishi was also disappointing. I wanted to check out the Lancer Sportsback, but no luck. There were a couple dull SUVs on the platform, nothing else. There will be more there for the regular show. The big debut for Mitsu was the i MiEV. Yawn.

Below are more auto pictures from the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show:

The 2011 Audi R8 Spyder is sexy from all angles. This one has the Lamborghini V10.

The R8's interior is beautifully-crafted and driver-oriented. Very nice.

I really liked the new 2011 BMW 740i (short wheelbase). The cockpit simply fit my body better than the excellent one in the Mercedes S Class. But the 2011 Audi A8 looked better than all of them.

The 2011 BMW 740i has the 3.0 liter in-line, 6-cylinder turbo engine from the 535i and 335i. Why it's badged 740, I don't know.

The seats in the BMW 740i are superb.

(more…)

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