mckezik Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 (edited) Toyota Extending Subaru Product Sharing to Highlander-Tribeca FT-86 to Get More Powerful Subie STI Engine January 03, 2011 / By Todd Lassa Toyota is studying how to more closely converge its products with Subaru, and might share its next-generation Highlander midsize crossover platform with the Tribeca. The two have similar dimensions, notes a source familiar with the tie-in. As always with Subaru, the sticking point is how to share a platform that would use a longitudinally mounted boxer engine, in the case of the Tribeca, with a transverse-mounted engine, as in the Highlander. The platform also will have to accommodate a hybrid version of the Highlander, and it's a good bet the system would be adapted to the pancake-engine Tribeca. Toyota tackles the problem with the upcoming FT-86 rear-wheel-drive sports coupe by going with a Subaru pancake engine -- the STI's 305-horsepower, 290 pound-foot version of the 2.5-liter turbo four, our source says. Earlier reports had the FT-86 launching with less-powerful Subaru engines. Toyota's development costs have ballooned, however, and the FT-86 is now seen as a mid-$20s car rather than a sub-$20,000 car. Subaru's version of the 086A, as the project is known, is still scheduled for 2013 model year introduction and will likely be sold with all-wheel drive only, as part of its differentiation from the Toyota. Subaru is leading development of the 086A, while the converged crossover platform looks to be more of a Toyota project. To accommodate both types of engines, the platform could be the same from the A-pillar back, but would need a different floorpan from the firewall forward. Subaru's flat engines require specific solutions for crash standards. As for the crossover/utility vehicles, both the Camry-based Toyota Highlander and the slow-selling Subaru Tribeca are due for replacement in the 2014 model year. from http://www.motortrend.com/features/a...eca/index.html Edited January 3, 2011 by mckezik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diablo7772 Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 (edited) Group Buy? Edited January 3, 2011 by diablo7772 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
izzzzythedog Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 toyota corolla , the most reliable car ever made , subaru the most errrr , the well known forrrrr errrr , the most likely to ummm yeah stick a scooby engine in , that makes sense , why not ask fiat to do the elecs while your there ? doh! being honest if it gets a scooby engine then im sure the gen 8 section will be rammed to the gills with `` its fooked again `` threads , i like the looks but wouldnt buy one with that engine in there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alistair_GT Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 being honest if it gets a scooby engine then im sure the gen 8 section will be rammed to the gills with `` its fooked again `` threads Just like the 7 section then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey F Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 i just dont agree with using an engine subaru is using, rather see toyota develop there own stuff. I've never worked or seen much of the boxer engine i really woudln't know where to start. Doesn't it have 2 heads??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpsmith79 Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 Yes it does have 2 heads, one on each side of the engine I don't see a problem, if it makes the development of the car cheaper/quicker (which it will by sharing parts) then i can't see a problem, at least it's being done with another Japanese car firm, not like Nissan using a Renault engine in the 350Z The boxer engine is a great design, it also has a very low centre of gravity due to the Boxer configuration and will have plenty of tuning potential (something that is rather lacking with current and old Toyota engines I still wouldn't buy one though as i will never be able to afford one, but if it does at least become the new Celica then i'm all for carrying on the blood line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giler Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 If they release it with the engine they originally proposed, 150bhp then this thing will fall flat on its face and be a huge embarrasement to Toyota when Subaru reveal theirs a year later with twice the horses and 4WD. Toyota need to get a 250-300bhp variant of this released at £23 - £26k, if they do I will sign up and hand over my money, if not I a call to Nissan and a lovely 370Z will do as a nice alternative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ams Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 if something doesnt come out soon - im going to get a cr-z - im on 152k and bought it on 20k so need a change... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boynxdoor Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 i guess they're playing on a safe side since subaru engine was already out there and maybe any trouble on it will be check already making the ft-86 more reliable.. We hope so... Wish I can afford one thou.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splinter Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 (edited) with a 300bhp Subaru engine i would definatly hand over my reddies, i love the sound of the Boxer engine. coupled to the looks of FT-86, i shall be specking it up to the nines and be at the head os the que!! Woop woop, cant wait for this one!! Edited January 4, 2011 by splinter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celica73 Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 toyota corolla , the most reliable car ever made , subaru the most errrr , the well known forrrrr errrr , the most likely to ummm yeah stick a scooby engine in , that makes sense , why not ask fiat to do the elecs while your there ? doh! being honest if it gets a scooby engine then im sure the gen 8 section will be rammed to the gills with `` its fooked again `` threads , i like the looks but wouldnt buy one with that engine in there oh another person who hasn't got a clue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splinter Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 oh another person who hasn't got a clue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shmotorsport Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 with a 300bhp Subaru engine i would definatly hand over my reddies, i love the sound of the Boxer engine. coupled to the looks of FT-86, i shall be specking it up to the nines and be at the head os the que!! Woop woop, cant wait for this one!! x2 on that, if i have the money income when this is out i will be thinking about getting it. i love the sound of the boxer engine, and turbo.....yes please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splinter Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 Exactly! and not forgetting RWD!!! its the one thing that bugs me about my Gen 7!! as much as i love it, it would be better with RWD! But, here's hoping the Gen 8 comes out as good as its supposed to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splinter Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 (edited) Link corrected! Edited January 4, 2011 by splinter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juicygoolies Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 Errr... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splinter Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 (edited) Errr... Haha, i know i know its not real and it doesnt sound like a subaru engine, but i liked it! haha. EDIT: right, i see what i did there.... NOW CORRECTED!! Edited January 4, 2011 by splinter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CelicaBen190 Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 I think i sold my ft86 on the game... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsoundcraft Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 Stick a 3S-GTE in it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zuban Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 its possible any benefit in the centre of gravity being lower from the boxer engine could be lost because it needs to sit quite far forward, would have been better with a compact inline 4 as far behind the front wheels as possible mid-front for better weight distribution. It'll still be good though, still feel linking it to the old ae86 is utterly retarded though, its a million miles away from a cheap lightweight, its going to be expensive and lardy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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