Car Throttle

A frequent complaint about Toyota has been the company's focus on uninspiring, bland designs that forsake any kind of excitement. For those looking for performance models and an engaging driving experience, there are no offerings. That is a dangerous position to be for a mainstream manufacturer that needs to engage enthusiasts and the youth market. The super expensive LFA isn't going to cut it in this regard. The joint Toyota/Subaru sportscar, previewed by the original FT-86 Concept and followed by the Scion FR-S Concept, is Toyota's answer to this problem. A new report on fan forum Club4AG says that the car is being developed with no expenses spared, and sheds light on some interesting details about the cars program. This information was gleaned from a meeting

Since Toyota's acquisition of a 17.1% stake in Subaru's parent company Fuji Heavy Industries in 2008, the automotive press has speculated by a sports car developed between the two. The FT-86 Concept at the Tokyo Auto Show in 2009 previewed Toyota's version of the car. We haven't heard much from Subaru until a recent confirmation of a concept coming to the Geneva Motor Show. Now it's Toyota's turn, confirming an FT-86 for the Geneva Motor Show. Notice A FT-86 not THE FT-86, because the new car is just a concept once again. It is dubbed the FT-86 Concept II, and promises to be much closer to the final production version. We just want to see the production car already though. Toyota, with a spate

Lexus' issues with the performance crowd are well known. A company that makes front-wheel drive luxury cruisers based off Toyota models isn't exactly the best recipe for success. We've just been waiting for an ES F (that's a joke).

The one standout in Lexus' model range though has been the IS range, formerly known as the Toyota Altezza in Japan. With a rear-wheel drive platform and the lone Lexus F model, it is by far the most attractive Lexus model in our opinion.

Introduced in 2005 a a 2006 model, it is time for a replacement. Shockingly, it could be based on another car that Toyota enthusiasts have pinned their performance hopes on - the FT-86. That's the word from Road & Track.

The FT-86 has

Not much time has passed since the introductions at the Tokyo Motor Show. Toyota was no doubt the winner of the show, debuting two performance models, the Toyota FT-86 Concept and the Lexus LFA. The former probably of the most interest to performance enthusiasts (unless you have $375,000.....and even then). So we know the FT-86 concept is a lock for production and now speculation is turning to what it will be named. FT-86 is obviously not the final production name, with the moniker chosen to pay homage to the Toyota Corolla AE-86 GT. The names under consideration, as reported by Autocar and The Detroit Bureau are Celica and surprisingly - Scion tC?  In producing the FT-86, Toyota's goal is to make a vehicle