Renderings emerge of Subaru coupe

We've already reported on Toyota's FT-86 Concept, which is due to debut at the imminent Tokyo motor show, and now renderings have emerged of Subaru's version of the rear-drive coupe.

The sketches you see here -- which first appeared on British magazine Autocar's website -- indicate the design direction the Subie coupe is likely to take. What the drawings reveal is a car that's more organic looking than Toyota's edgy two-door.

However, while the clothing may differ, beneath the skin the Subie will be largely as per the Toyota, which means the rear-wheel-drive platform and 2.0-litre boxer engine will be common to both cars.

Some sources suggest Subaru may reprise its trademark all-wheel-drive formula and eventually produce an all-paw version of the coupe, but Autocar correctly points out that such a format would add weight and complexity -- going against the lightweight sports car concept that forms the car's basis.

Both cars -- Toyota and Subaru -- will be manufactured by Fuji Heavy Industries (read: Subaru), and it's believed the coupe could be a precursor to more collaborative products between the two Japanese manufacturers.

Subaru has in the past cooperated in a badge-engineering exercise with former stakeholder General Motors, and the result was the Saab 9-2X -- a restyled and slightly reengineered version of the Subaru Impreza.

However, the 'Saabaru' -- as it was nicknamed -- met with little sales success, and it was discontinued in 2006 after a brief lifespan.

We'd suggest the Toyota-Subaru coupe is likely to fare better as it was conceived from the outset as a joint project between the two manufacturers -- and both Japanese ones at that.

When will the Subie coupe emerge in the metal? No official word as yet, but perhaps a debut in concept form at the Los Angeles or Detroit motor shows over the coming months is a possibility.

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