Saki GT

So, what did the Japanese bring to the Auto Show as their halos?

Toyota - Two biggies:
LF-A - $375k F1 for the streets - http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/l...fa-tokyo-2009/
FT-86 - return of the beloved rwd FT - http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/toyota-...ept-tokyo-2009/

Subaru - 300hp awd goodness with auto tranny makes for a dud - http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/tokyo-2...n-gets-a-weave/

Nissan -
Refined GT-R - seems cheap next to the LF-A - http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/2010-Ni...dzilla-refined/
Land Glider - active geometry suspension for one - http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/20/nissan-...der-tokyo-2009/
Leaf - probably the ugliest car since that fish Mercedes thing - http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/20/tokyo-2...r-production-i/

Daihatsu -
Basket - something to keep in the corner of the garage for running errands - http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/daihats...ept-tokyo-2009/

Honda -
CR-Z - the "sporty" insight? - 1.5L fwd hybrid - http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/tokyo-2...-with-six-spee/
EV-N - miniscule electric go kart? - http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/honda-e...09-retro-style/
SkyDeck - hybrid minivan - http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/honda-s...o-2009-odyssey/

KeithM

Love the FT-86. Love the CR-Z.

JonBoy

If they remain remotely true to the FT-86 Concept, Toyota will absolutely decimate sport-compact sales. This is an RSX-S with RWD, more power, low weight, more torque, and good reliability. Here's to hoping they actually give it a decent suspension and handling (ie, more sporty than the Hyundai Genesis Coupe).

[DT]

Yeah, I am totally digging on the FT-86. I hope we get to see the whole range of variants being discussed too: the base, the beefier, 2.5L and an "STi" turbo model at about 300HP. Especially if they keep the weight way down.

Wasn't there discussion about it being < 2800#? Something in that weight target with a highly tunable 2.5L turbo boxster engine would be crazy fun.

ltswb

I like the Ft, but it has a couple of odd things. Why does the front end funnel air under the front lights? Does it go anywhere or just form a dam? And why do the carbon "wings" on the wheels sit away from the spoke? Looks fragile.

[DT]

The wheels just look like a "show only" cosmetic dress up piece. I noticed they looked a little flimsy too.

nearwater4me

Dan

al4t1gbundy

I don't see what the hoop-lah over the LF-A. Ridiculously over-priced and it looks ho hum at best.

The FT-86 on the other hand .. is making me consider buying a Toyota.

circuitclub

the ev-n looks really cool. like the mk1 golf or old civics

TheDonEffect

Lovin the ft especially since the prototype is true to the photos we've all been loving (or at least I've been loving). Ugh, they need to start talking turbo though.
To be honest, I don't want the full bore sti model, I just want the run of the mill wrx level engine... but I wouldn't mind the STI engine either, lol. I dunno, I just don't want Toyota to start reaching into the Z market. The WRX with teh 265hp with awd starts at 25K, for that price you get a lot, everything but sunroof, leather, and the more higher end lux stuff like heated seats and bluetooth. You get the cd with aux, LSD, awd, power everything, foglights, etc etc. 27K get you heated seats and a sunroof. 35 gets you the STi. Curb weight is 3174 and 3395 for the sti.
So, ok, the wrx shares its body with lesser imprezas, making the economies of scale better making it less costly to produce. But the ft86 won't have awd and is using a modified impreza chassis, but the skin is specific to this car (assuming now subaru variant materializes) with the rwd bits coming from the IS. So it should be priced comparably to the wrx.
In any rate, I'll wait for them to iron out the bugs anyway, gives me more time to save and wait for a turbo version. But I could hope that they say at the last minute, oh and it's coming with a turbo variation at which point all enthusiasts will rejoice!