Would you be interested in a convertible version of a Toyota GT-86 or the Scion FR-S here in North America? How about a Subaru BRZ that has blown its top right off? Well hold on to your hats or tops even because Toyota has announced that they will build a convertible version of at least the Toyota edition of the Tokyo Triplets.
2013 Toyota GT-86 - Imagine it with its top off
Earlier today the chief engineer of the GT-86, Tetuya Tada was Speaking with German car magazine Autobild. During that interview he confirmed that the company is working on the development of an open top model. “The GT 86 was designed from the outset to be built as a convertible,” Tada told the publication.
So look out Mazda Miata or MX-5 Toyota and possibly even Subaru has you in your sites and they are hungry to take back some market share to reassert themselfs as the number one auto market in the world.
Imagine no more - We present the 2014 Toyota GT-86 Roadster
No timeline was given on when the car was looking to be developed by but when we find out we will let you know.
It seems that the theme of the week on Car Rolodex has been the “Tokyo Triplets”, who are also known as the Subaru BRZ, Toyota GT-86 and the Scion FR-S. Our coverage of these highly anticipated cars continues today as we have uncovered a pair of Japanese based videos showcasing the Subaru variant of the trio.
The first vid is short but gets its point across rather well, which is of course that when you rev the co-developed Subaru/Toyota 2.0-liter engine the car will respond with what can only be described as a uniquely flat 4 sound track. We can’t wait to hear the addition of a turbo blow off valve as the FA20 engine has been slated to get the additional hardware when the WRX version of the BRZ is launched. Today however if you are curious as to what 200hp sounds like in a low slung 2+2 rear wheel drive sports car you will have to look no farther than below.
The second video released by “SubaruOnTube” is comprised of some slick looking CGI of the BRZ engine components in action. If you are not 100% familiar with what a horizontally opposed boxer engine looks like this video will help out. We can’t say that the Japanese techno beats were 100% necessary, fortunately it is also a short clip so it shouldn’t drive you to crazy.
Yesterday in an interview with Motor Trend’s new Editor-in-chief Ed Loh, Subaru confirmed that it will in fact be building a turbocharged version of newly co-developed 2-liter flat 4 boxer engine that powers the new 2013 Subaru BRZ. This comes just 2 days after the Tokyo Motor Show was buzzing about a supercharged version of the motor being placed under the hood of the Toyota GT-86, Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S triplets.
2013 Subaru BRZ 2.0-liter flat-4 engine bay. Do you see room for a turbo?
Now before you storm into your Subaru dealership demanding to put a deposit down on a turbocharged WRX BRZ, it is important to highlight that Subaru has only confirmed that the FA20 engine will be receiving a turbo. Subaru has not confirmed that the BRZ will be receiving that turbo motor, they have only said that they will build one. The leap of faith that we are taking is that since the FA20 motor is only found in the BRZ and there is an over whelming out cry for the car to have more power to compete with other segment rivals like the Hyundai Genesis coupe and Nissan 370Z. One can only assume that a turbocharged version will power that particular car, no? Can one then also assume that it will be branded the WRX model like other turbocharged Subaru’s that exist in their line-up?
We were never good a crossword puzzle growing up but we did excel at connect the dots and this puzzle has been the easiest one yet. That is unless Subaru decided that the newly confirmed turbocharged engine will appear in another of their cars, which would make the aftermarket scene very happy as well.
The big question that standouts in our minds is that fact that there are now confirmed rumours out there of the FA20 engine bolting on a supercharger as well as now a turbocharger. Could Toyota and Subaru be heading in different directions for their high performance models? Have the TRD and STI performance divisions’ agreed to disagree on how to soup up the co-developed 197bhp 2-liter flat 4 boxer engine?
We sure hope so as what is life without a little choice? Currently the only real choice between the 3 is based off of brand loyalty, exterior paint colour and price.
To read more about the supercharging rumour click here.
To read more about the WRX and Turbo rumours click here.
Only the darling triplets of the Tokyo motor Show could 2 days later one up themselves by letting the world know that they will be increasing the horsepower of the cars by bolting on a supercharger. It is expected that the Toyota GT-86, Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S will see a bump in about 50 hp. The existing Subaru sourced 197bhp 2-liter flat 4 boxer engine will benefit from a supercharger which should all increase the low end torque numbers.
The increases in torque will surly lower the cars 0-100 km/h time, which is currently sitting at 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 230 km/h. Which is quick enough to compete in the hot hatch segment. But is not nearly fast enough to compete with or better yet take some market share away from the likes of Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro or even the Nissan 370Z.
As a result we are not surprised that Toyota has decided to increase the power. We are also not surprised about the timing of the announcement which has happened just two days after the Subaru BRZ (the last of the triplets to be announced) was introduced to the world. As these three companies have been teasing the world with these cars for the past year.
The internet rumour mill has been a buzz ever since the announcement stating that the Subie BRZ will finally be able to add the WRX badge to the back of the car. No word if the GT-86 will receive the TRD treatment however we can confirm that they are looking into revising the suspension.
Stay tuned for more updates as this Japanese press machine churns it out.
After watching this movie we are not sure if Subaru will be marketing the new 2013 Subaru BRZ to men or even as a high performance sports car. Instead we get an introductory video that has us listening to soft emo chick music while we watch the new BRZ being lazily driven around a closed road course.
The video doesn’t make any mention of the cars 2-liter horizontally-opposed boxer engine packing 200-hp and 151 lb-ft of torque, 6 speed manual, or the cars 17-wheels and rear wheel drive only architecture.
What is perfectly clear is that the BRZ will be the Pontiac Vibe in this joint development relationship with Toyota, making the pricing of the BRZ and GT-86/FR-S a key selling point as performance and styling look to be on par with each other.
