TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Toyota 86 Convertible wanted in Australia
Company keen on drop-top 86, showing FT-86 Open concept again in Tokyo – and its folding fabric roof for the first timeToyota has shown an updated version of FT-86 Open convertible concept at the 2013 Tokyo motor show to gauge reaction to the idea, and Toyota Australia is pushing to get the model green-lit and imported locally.
Tony Cramb, Toyota Australia's executive director for sales and marketing, explained that because Australia is one of the world's biggest markets for the 86 sports car, a convertible version would be of significant interest to local car buyers.
the world for the 86 coupe, so we would be very interested in a
convertible model were it to become available,” said Cramb.
economic conditions in each region".
“A convertible
would add another dimension to the driving pleasure derived from the 86
platform. We’ve certainly got our fingers crossed!” Said Cramb.
If the convertible 86 does get the green light it may be a couple of years away from production. Earlier in the year the Toyota 86's chief engineer, Tetsuya Tada, told Australian media a convertible version of the 86 coupe was long way off from being green-lit for production.
There has been talk that a sedan version of the 86 will be built before the convertible, but this second bite of the cherry shows that Toyota has not halted development on the 86 convertible concept.
The updated concept car shows a seamlessly integrated cloth roof that blends in with the car's sporty proportions. The electrically operated soft-top features a glass rear window and the folding cloth roof will reduce available boot space.
Mechanically, the concept is expected to be identical to the coupe, powered by a 2.0-litre boxer petrol engine that pumps out 147kW/205Nm, delivered via six-speed automatic and manual gearboxes to the rear wheels.
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