The new Toyota FT-86 II Concept makes its world debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, giving the clearest indication yet as to the final design of Toyota's next sports car.

With its long, low bonnet,  high wings and rear-set cabin, the Toyota FT-86 II Concept pays homage  to Toyota's sports car history and is an entirely driver-oriented  concept. It was created at Toyota's European design studio ED2, where  its styling was dubbed 'functional beauty': its bold, sweeping form has  been generated purely according to the constraints of function and  aerodynamics.

 

The low, highly aerodynamic bodyshell is stretched tight over the engineering hard points, with the muscular bodywork rendered as compact as possible. The concept measures 4,235mm long, 1,795mm wide and 1,270mm high, with a long, 2,570mm wheelbase.

Rather than using a heavy, large displacement powertrain to secure performance, the FT-86 II returns to Toyota's sporting roots by combining a free-revving boxer petrol engine with a compact and lightweight six-speed manual transmission and a low centre of gravity to achieve the best possible power to weight ratio.

Both the powertrain and the driving position have been set as low and as far back as possible to optimise balance for maximum poise, high-speed stability and agility. With a front-engine/rear-wheel drive configuration, this gives the car lively, accessible performance that is easy to harness and enjoy.

The Toyota FT-86 II Concept is the latest stage in the development of a new, compact rear-wheel drive sports car that is being jointly developed by Toyota and Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru). The new model will be launched in Europe in 2012.