Toyota FT-86 Open concept breaks cover

C'mon Honda, let's get going on the next gen Honda Prelude!

The Toyota FT-86 Open concept, which you saw a preview sketch of earlier, has finally been unveiled in its entirety through a load of images, ahead of its Geneva show debut. The 86 convertible concept features a soft top (as yet unclear if manual or electrically operated) and 2+2 seating.

The concept’s goal is to gauge public reaction to the idea of an 86 convertible. By concept standards it actually looks pretty tame, which could mean that the production car, if it happens, won’t stray very far from this, visually at least.

Save for some high-contrast colours (coordinated by a Milan-based designer, no less), yellow-gold stitching on the floor mats and seats, and centre console-mounted gauges, the interior looks to be unchanged from the 86 coupe‘s.

Toyota hasn’t said anything yet about specifications, but the 2.0 litre flat-four is likely to stay, kicking out 200 PS and 205 Nm of torque. Like the coupe, manual and automatic transmissions should be offered.

Prototype testing is already underway, according to the company. More info to come when the wraps come off, which isn’t far away now.

Source (with more pix);
http://paultan.org/2013/03/01/toyota-ft-86-open-concept/

Toyota Supra to get a turbocharged 2.5-liter hybrid engine - report - photos

C'mon Honda, 2017 would sound like a good year to bring back the Prelude!

Toyota's highly-anticipated Supra successor is coming into focus as a new report is indicating the model will be launched by the end of 2017.

That's still several years off, but sources are indicating the model could be powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine which is outfitted with a hybrid system. The engine could produce more than 400 bhp (298 kW), but there has also been speculation about a hybridized 3.5-liter V6.

As we have previously reported, the Supra successor is expected to go into production as a result of Toyota's tie-up with BMW. The model is slated to ride on a revised version of the GT 86 platform and have suspension tuning by BMW.

Toyota GT 86 chief engineer Tetsuya Tada has already confirmed the company wants to launch the car as soon as possible and rumors suggest we could see a concept as early as this year's Tokyo Motor Show. Little else is known about the model but it will reportedly have styling inspired by the FT-HS concept.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/113021153691/toyota-supra-to-get-a-turbocharged-25-liter-hybrid-engine