Toyota 86

Initial layout and design elements for the 86 were first presented via the Toyota FT-HS concept car at the Detroit Motor Show in 2007. The FT-HS had a front engine, rear-wheel drive layout and 2+2 seating, but utilized a V6 engine with hybrid electric assistance. In 2008 Toyota bought 16.5% of Fuji Heavy Industries, parent to Subaru.^[4] Toyota, led by project leader Tetsuya Tada,^[5] offered Subaru involvement in their sport coupé project, co-developing a new boxer engine known as the D-4S,^[6] but Subaru rejected plans for further development of a rear wheel drive sports coupe due to their vehicle line-up predominantly offering all-wheel drive. Subaru's balk led the project to a six-month halt before Toyota invited journalists and Subaru engineers to test a developmental prototype to demonstrate the capabilities of the platform. Following the test, Subaru agreed to become further involved in development.^[7]

 the 2009 Toyota FT-86 Concept

The new collaboration produced a new concept car in October 2009 at the Tokyo Motor Show, the FT-86. Smaller than the FT-HS, the design of the FT-86 was further refined by Toyota's ED² design studio while the hybrid V6 engine was replaced by the new D-4S boxer. Subaru provided the chassis and gearbox for the concept car, basing it on an Impreza. The concept was painted in Shoujyouhi Red, based on the backside of a Japanese Macaque.^[8]
The following year, Toyota launched their G Sports line of aftermarket accessories, and showed the FT-86 G Sports fitted with G Sports performance parts also at the Tokyo Motor Show. These parts included carbon fibre panels, a vented bonnet, rear wing, 19 in (48 cm) wheels, Recaro race seats, and an interior rollcage.^[9] The D-4S engine also added a turbocharger.^[10