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By Mark Kleis Wednesday, Feb 23rd, 2011 @ 6:22 p.m.
leftlanenews
Yesterday we learned that the Subaru Rear-Wheel Drive Sports Car Technology Concept is on its way to the Geneva Motor Show, which kicks off next week. Initially, we were treated to a first look at its hotly anticipated Boxer engine.
But today, it appears as if some clarification as to what exactly Subaru intends to reveal in Geneva will be leaving many anxious fans a bit disappointed. According to Motor Trend, what Subaru will be showing off in Geneva will just be a wire frame of the vehicle, which they are calling a “skeleton see-through” body, with the chassis and powertrain on display.
While many were likely hoping to finally see exactly what Subaru had come up with in order to make its take on the coupe differ from that of Toyota, it appears as if we will have to wait a bit longer before the true design is revealed.
What we know
The concept car in question is Subaru’s version of the Toyota FT-86, which was jointly developed by the two companies, and both are expected to make some form of debut in just over a week, with Toyota expected to reveal a second version of the FT-86 concept. As for the Subaru, we have a sneak-peak into the engine bay which will give this uniquely rear-wheel drive Subaru coupe its low center of gravity and torque-heavy characteristics.
Two months ago, spies captured the first images of Subaru’s RWD sports coupe. The prototype pictured was adorned with heavy camouflage, making it impossible to see the real sheet metal. Although the previous teaser image only shows the car’s silhouette, the roofline and wheel arches look similar to leaked sketches from several months earlier.
The latest rumors coming out of Japan confirm earlier speculation by that Subaru will in fact opt for a higher output engine than Toyota, driven by the price structuring as well as the brand’s need to assert the car as a performance model despite its lack of all-wheel drive.
Toyota is expected to utilize a 2.0-liter 200 horsepower flat-four from Subaru to power its FT-86 coupe, but Subaru will reportedly opt for the 260 horsepower powerplant found in its WRX and Legacy 2.5GT models.
There are also rumors of an STI version, though few details can be confirmed at this stage. Compared to the standard car, the STI version would sport a wider stance accented by wider wheel arches, a lowered suspension, a unique body kit, bigger wheels and a more aggressive spoiler. To complete the STI treatment, Subaru would likely opt for the turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine that is good for 305 horsepower in the Impreza WRX STI.
By Mark Kleis Wednesday, Feb 23rd, 2011 @ 6:22 p.m.
leftlanenews
Yesterday we learned that the Subaru Rear-Wheel Drive Sports Car Technology Concept is on its way to the Geneva Motor Show, which kicks off next week. Initially, we were treated to a first look at its hotly anticipated Boxer engine.
But today, it appears as if some clarification as to what exactly Subaru intends to reveal in Geneva will be leaving many anxious fans a bit disappointed. According to Motor Trend, what Subaru will be showing off in Geneva will just be a wire frame of the vehicle, which they are calling a “skeleton see-through” body, with the chassis and powertrain on display.
While many were likely hoping to finally see exactly what Subaru had come up with in order to make its take on the coupe differ from that of Toyota, it appears as if we will have to wait a bit longer before the true design is revealed.
What we know
The concept car in question is Subaru’s version of the Toyota FT-86, which was jointly developed by the two companies, and both are expected to make some form of debut in just over a week, with Toyota expected to reveal a second version of the FT-86 concept. As for the Subaru, we have a sneak-peak into the engine bay which will give this uniquely rear-wheel drive Subaru coupe its low center of gravity and torque-heavy characteristics.
Two months ago, spies captured the first images of Subaru’s RWD sports coupe. The prototype pictured was adorned with heavy camouflage, making it impossible to see the real sheet metal. Although the previous teaser image only shows the car’s silhouette, the roofline and wheel arches look similar to leaked sketches from several months earlier.
The latest rumors coming out of Japan confirm earlier speculation by that Subaru will in fact opt for a higher output engine than Toyota, driven by the price structuring as well as the brand’s need to assert the car as a performance model despite its lack of all-wheel drive.
Toyota is expected to utilize a 2.0-liter 200 horsepower flat-four from Subaru to power its FT-86 coupe, but Subaru will reportedly opt for the 260 horsepower powerplant found in its WRX and Legacy 2.5GT models.
There are also rumors of an STI version, though few details can be confirmed at this stage. Compared to the standard car, the STI version would sport a wider stance accented by wider wheel arches, a lowered suspension, a unique body kit, bigger wheels and a more aggressive spoiler. To complete the STI treatment, Subaru would likely opt for the turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer engine that is good for 305 horsepower in the Impreza WRX STI.
