FT-86 II concept brings Toyota’s sporting car history back to Geneva

The long, low bonnet, high wings and rear-set cabin are some of the main features of the most recent concept car from Toyota. The FT-86 II brings back Toyota’s sports car history to Geneva, giving a glimpse on what is to become the final design of the brand’s next sports car.

While developing the FT-86 II, Toyota focused on handing the driver, the best driving experience possible. The concept gives it through precise, instantaneous responses to even the smallest throttle or steering input.

The FT-86 II design was developed at Toyota’s European Design Development centre, ED2 and its shape has been created based on the constraints of function, while aerodynamics were developed from F1 technology.

The concept features a low, highly aerodynamic bodyshell and its body work was made the most compact possible. The FT-86 II is 4,235mm long, 1,795mm wide and just 1,270mm high and has a 2,570mm wheelbase.

On the FT-86 II, rather than relying on a heavy, large displacement powertrain, Toyota is betting on the combination of a free-revving boxer petrol engine and a 6-speed manual transmission with compact dimensions, light weight and a low centre of gravity for the best possible power-to-weight ratio.

In order to achieve an optimized balance for maximum poise, high speed stability and dynamic agility, both the powertrain and driving position on the FT-86 II have been pushed as low and as far back as possible.

The FT-86 II give us a clearer look of what Toyota’s new sports car will look like when it reaches the European market in 2012. In 2009 Toyota and Fuji Heavy Industries that they were joining efforts to launch this new compact rear-wheel drive sports car.