Subaru FT-86 (WRX Coupe) Spied Hot Weather Testing in Death Valley

[AutoGuide.com]

It's been a while since we've heard anything about Subaru's version of the Toyota FT-86/FR-S, but the engineers at Suby have been hard at work on the new model. A Subaru bodied version of the car (looking like a WRX Coupe) was recently spied doing hot weather testing in Death Valley.

The photos clearly show a hood scoop, suggesting a top-mount intercooler and turbocharged boxer engine. If that's the case, we could look forward to a solid 265-hp from the more hard-core Subaru version of the Toyobaru. Previous reports have suggested the car will be rear-wheel drive only, although AutoExpress is suggesting an AWD setup will be included. We're inclined to believe that is possible, as the car is based on the AWD Legacy platform.

Toyota is on track to launch its version of the FT-86 (believed to get the FR-S badge in production forum), in November of 2011, so expect to Subaru model to debut shortly thereafter.

More: Subaru FT-86 (WRX Coupe) Spied Hot Weather Testing in Death Valley on AutoGuide.com

[coop3422]

nice. Hope it has a different front end then the wrx though.

[car_crazy]

nice. Hope it has a different front end then the wrx though.

its very likely it will have a very similar looking frontend to the newest gen sti/wrx. which is good in a way. i want the the toyota and subaru versions to look very different from each other. last thing we need is getting people confused. lol