New Hachi Blog

Can't Wait for the New Hachi

Bunta Fujiwara — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:45:56 GMT

I decided to try and pester some dealers last night.

None have been able to give me any info (not surprised). I will continue to try and get the latest info for everyone.

I want one of these new RWD Coupes from either Toyota or Subaru.

Can't Wait!!

-Bunta Fujiwara

Why Toyota needs the new Hachi

Bunta Fujiwara — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:58:09 GMT

http://www.autoobserver.com/2009/08/why-toyota-must-make-its-joint-venture-coupe.html

Why Toyota Must Make its Joint-Venture Coupe
by Bill Visnic

The case of the maybe-we're-making-it-or-maybe-we're-not Toyota-Subaru joint-venture sport coupe was solved by new Toyota Motor Corp. president Akio Toyoda when he told reporters this week he was prioritizing development of the rear-drive car.

Although the coupe's development program was known, its status as a "live" project has been the topic of speculation. Toyoda's comment confirmed the company is committed to the project.

As the new president of the company, Toyoda, seemingly to underscore his dedication to addressing the conservative corporate culture that is perceived as holding Toyota back, said this week of the sport coupe, "I am very exciting about it and I plan to put it on the fast track."

As AutoObserver.com reported last spring, Toyota had openly announced last spring - immediately after the company doubled its holding in Fuji Heavy Industries Inc., parent of Subaru - the two companies would co-develop a small, affordable sports coupe and the engine would be a 4-cylinder of Subaru's signature "boxer" horizontally-opposed design. The car reputedly was to have a dedicated platform and come sometime in the 2010-11 timeframe.

But after that, there were questions of Toyota's commitment. Then the global recession hit. And Toyota started to lose money.

Maybe there wasn't time during this week's speech, but Toyoda mentioned neither rear-wheel-drive or a dedicated platform when saying the car would become a priority for the company that has been wearing the reputation of embracing a corporate favor for development of sedans and crossovers of clinical reliability and refinement rather than the more emotional, less-practical models Toyota has all but abandoned.

In recent years, Toyota has discontinued every sport coupe from its mainstream Toyota brand, dropping the rear-drive Supra in 2002 and the front-drive Celica and 2-seat MR-2 Spyder in 2005. In its home market, too, the rap on Toyota long has been it no longer cares about "interesting" cars.

France's L'Automobile reported in March the new Toyota-Subaru joint-venture coupe was a live project and is earmarked to revive the Celica nameplate, which over the years was worn by both front- and rear-drive coupes. When the car was first announced by Toyota, Subaru said it also would sell a version and would offer the car in the U.S. market.

Toyota 086a, potential planned changes.

Bunta Fujiwara — Wed, 5 Aug 2009 12:36:36 GMT

From the guys at 7tune
http://www.7tune.com/086a-target-market-change-power-drop/

Toyota 086A: Target Market Change, Power Drop
July 31, 2009 by Justin Karow
Filed under Japanese News, Latest Articles
58 Comments
Fans of the upcoming Toyota/Subaru 086A compact sports car might be a little disappointed with current rumors out of Japan, a decent power drop is on the cards in order to lower emissions and make the car more economical.

It’s well established now that the 086A will take center stage at Toyota’s stand at the Tokyo Motor Show (TMS) in October, with many fans of the AE86, both young and old(er) relieved that the car wasn’t axed in the wake of the global economic crisis. With new reports though it now seems that the specification of the 086A will change slightly once again to meet other criteria, that being the dreaded “eco car” movement and a switch to a much older target market than what was first considered.

Firstly, the power output. We should now expect the 086A’s FJ20 2000cc boxer four to produce 160PS, a good 40PS less than was previously quoted which is all due to stricter economy and emissions targets. Toyota/Subaru haven’t let this dilute the performance as we’re told the car has also lost some weight in order to keep a respectable power to weight ratio. We’re not told how much weight was trimmed or even how much the revised car now weighs in total, but it’s apparent both Toyota and Subaru are under increasing pressure to produce a car that can be marketed as an “eco car” in Japan.

Marketing is one of the big subjects involving the 086A and its presence at the TMS is primarily to gauge crowd reaction. The car that will be exibited will include styling cues that could very well be changed before the car goes to production giving show goers the opportunity to express their like or dislike of the design. It goes to show how serious Toyota is about the success of the 086A and the lengths taken to ensure that their development team are well aware of what the market is thinking. If you can make it to the TMS or not, make sure you leave your opinion online because Toyota and Subaru are listening!

In a surprising but understandable move Toyota and Subaru have also revised the marketing strategy of the 086A to focus on a core 30 - 50 year old target market. In previous reports we were told that the target market would be of a younger age to appeal to the new wave of FR sports car enthusiasts, however we’re now told that Toyota plans to cash in on older car enthusiasts who bought, or grew up with the original AE86. Nostalgia could play a big part in Toyota’s marketing campaign which, in Japan at least, could work very well indeed given the relatively low asking price of 2,500,000 JPY.

The 086A is still expected to debut towards the end of 2011.

Words: Justin Karow
Image: Best Car