Simply loverly...

[Mr_Sukebe]

Check this link:
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=20763

quick photo:

Apparently seen as the spiritual successor to the AE86, complete with rwd. Gotta love it.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

I really dont see how, all the AE86 was was a fairly mundane, crappy Corolla which the enthusiasts inadverently went bonkers over it as it ended up being one of the last RWD cars of its type and therefore ideally suited to the drift scene.

Whereas this is designed a s sports type car?

As you were probably at nursery school when the AE86 was new, maybe I should add some context.
Back in the mid-80s we had:
- The real nutter available was the Sierra cossie, but that was nearly £20k at the time. Came with around 205hp (assuming we're not talking about the RS500 version). Yes there was also the E30 M3, Delta Evo, but they were also similarly expensive.
- Top of the pile of more normal road cars was the BMW 325 with a massive 170hp.
- The best hot hatch was the Golf Gti 16v with 139hp, most used the 8v engine with 115hp

So whilst the AE86 looks like it's powered by a damp squid nowadays, 122hp back then was quite a lot, certainly more than most hot hatches produced, and linked to a fairly light weight gave it a respectable turn of speed (if now shamed by a lot of diesel saloons).
More to the point was how they drove. It had tons of feedback, great balance and an engine that red lined at 7800rpm. It was pretty much a VTEC engine, but before Honda made that area of the market their own.

Think of the performance and fun factor as more akin to a coupe MX5 and you'll understand where I'm coming from now.

For all that, I do think that they now command bonkers money, and if I were my money on the line, it would be on an MX5.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

So basically, where as the AE86 was a fairly regular looking car that handled great and had a nice engine, this FT86 is designed to look quick yet has been saddled with the power of an asthmatic weasel. So pretty much the opposite so far

Can't say I dissagree with you in the slightest, at least unless they can keep the weight well under a ton, and I really don't see than happening.
Hence my OP comment of "apparently seen as..."

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

I was thinking about this on the way to work.
I know that it's being co-developed with Subaru, but was that the deciding factor in engine choice? If not, then why not use the 190hp 1.8 that's in the Celica? That would be far more in keeping with it's heritage. Failing that, are they lining up to offer a US version with 140hp and hopefully a Japanese/UK version with a sodding big turbo and well over 200hp?
Lastly, 1360kg really isn't good. I know it's got a roof, but that puts it at 200kg more than an MX5, which is going to be an obvious car to compare it to (both have 2 seats, rwd, similar power outputs and estimated prices).

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

I don't think even the 190 1.8 celica engine would be enough to keep this car competitive with the rest of the jap crowd, I own a current celica with that engine, it isn't slow by any means but it could do with being a bit beefier, especially with the extra weight the new car will undoubtedly carry.

If Toyota are serious about coming back to the sports coupe market then they need to have another, more powerful flagship model alongside this. It would be nice to see a powerful NA engine but I doubt that will happen, more likely a turbocharged boxer.

It depends upon where Toyota are trying to pitch the car. The existing Celica "only" has that engine, and it's far from a bad car.
Once you start strapping turbos onto one, you need to then look at bigger brakes etc etc, all of which will add to the weight, and you end up with a competitor to the 370Z.
Personally I'd rather prefer them to look at something with something like the 190 1.8 and a whole lot less weight.
As for 1360kg being the maximum target weight, doesn't exactly strike me as being a particularly ambitious target. That's like saying to the average american that he must get down to 22 stones.