Subaru to debut sporty car in Tokyo
| Sponsored by |
| » | ||
| » | ||
| » | ||
| » | ||
| » |
Reprints
Print
Respond
TOKYO -- Subaru will display the production version of the long-awaited sporty car it is co-developing with Toyota at the Tokyo Motor Show in December.
The rear-wheel-drive car, which has a Subaru-designed drivetrain and Toyota-styled body, goes on sale next year. Toyota will sell its version as a Scion in the United States.
Subaru expects a longer-than-average life cycle for the car and is looking at variant packages, including a possible STI version, to keep the offering fresh, says Toshio Masuda, a Subaru senior general manager of product planning.
Subaru's STI tuner package typically offers turbocharging, lower profile tires, more powerful brakes and sport-tuned suspension. But going turbo is doubtful: Subaru officials say the vehicle's original concept calls for keeping the engine naturally aspirated.
The car will be built on a new line at Subaru's plant in Gumma, Japan. Styling will draw from Toyota FT-86 concepts that have made the auto show rounds since 2009.
Power is expected to come from a new generation 2.0-liter, four-cylinder boxer engine that will be used in the redesigned Subaru Impreza arriving this fall. But the engine will be positioned nearly 5 inches lower than in the Impreza to bring down the car's center of gravity and improve handling.
The car also will have Toyota's D-4S fuel injection system. And unlike the new Impreza, which gets an option for a continuously variable transmission, the sporty car will get a manual or automatic.
Subaru hasn't officially commented on the price. But Japan's Nikkan Kogyo business daily said the company plans to price the car in the $20,000 range.
You can reach Hans Greimel at hgreimel@crain.com. -- Follow Hans on 
