Two years ago to be precise. In 2009 it revealed its FT-86 sports concept, a rear-wheel drive joint venture with Subaru, which was mooted as being the future replacement for the now redundant Celica. The name of the concept is more than a little reminiscent of that infamous mid-eighties Corolla twin-cam.
This week Toyota revealed its latest shadowed image of this next-gen Celica, the now evolved and aptly named FT-86 II, which is essentially the company's updated vision and clearest indication yet of the eventual design for Toyota's long-awaited next production sports car. This latest concept apparently "embodies the company's re-born passion for sports car driving". Lets hope this re-born passion leads to the re-birth of the characteristics that made Toyotas sports cars of the eighties and nineties such a favourite.
The image is promising, but the people at Toyota HQ aren't keen on giving away any surprises just yet. It is due to be officially unveiled at the
Geneva Motor Show in March, so until then it will be the subject of even more conjecture.
Will it use a use an independent Toyota set up? Or borrow the Subaru's flat-four engine? Or perhaps even Tesla's electric powertrain?
Watch this space.
Stephen Watson - 27 Jan 2011
