It´s been a while since we´ve seen a test car for the new Toyota/Subaru coupe, but a new mule has just surfaced in the United States and this one is Subaru´s STI version! Still wearing some of the most bizarre bodywork we´ve ever seen.
There is one main visual difference between today's test car and cars from the past - a hood with a bump. Normally that would be to clearance a top-mounted intercooler or a supercharger, but we're pretty sure we can see a front-mounted intercooler peaking out from the lower fascia opening. This is likely the STI-spec powertrain/chassis mule!
Turbo-charged
Rumours run far and wide on this car, but there are a few tidbits that seem largely agreed upon. The chassis should be a modified Legacy platform with possibly with bits of the Impreza thrown into the mix. The FT-86 is assumed to be rear wheel drive and will likely have 2+2 seating, along with independent suspension all around. As far as powertrains go, a 2.0-litre boxer seems to be the order of the day, with the Subaru version likely getting a more powerful, 2.5-litre turbo-charged version.
Ready in?
While some think this new coupe will be ready to go around by the end of 2011, others say the program has suffered setbacks and will fall to the 2013 model year. We'll hope to hear more sometime during the 2011 auto show season.
