Toyota FT-86 Chief Engineer Speaks on the Anti GT-R

[AutoGuide.com]

There’s no denying that the Nissan GT-R is an incredible performance machine, and considering what it’s capable of, an even better bargain. Still, it’s been criticized by many for being overburdened by electronics, for replacing driving feel with technology. In fact it’s so technologically impressive that it can make even the most inexperienced driver look like a star on a race track.

The Toyota FT-86, on the other hand, will very much be the opposite of this says Chief Engineer Tetsuya Tada. In a sit-down interview with Bertel Schmitt of The Truth About Cars, Tada describes the theory behind the upcoming FT-86 sports car and a return to grassroots motoring.

“Powerful sports cars use a lot of computer technology so that anyone can drive and handle them. We decided not to go down that road,” he says. “From the beginning, the concept was to put the driver back in the driver’s seat, and to eliminate computers as much as possible today.” As a result, it will have a traditional six-speed stick shift and not some high-tech dual-clutch transmission. This is also the best indication that it will use a traditional limited slip differential, and not an electronic one. Stability control will be standard (it’s government mandated), but look for a fully-defeatable setup.

Tada says his team canvassed the target audience. “We talked to owners, fanatics, real buyers of sports cars around the world,” he said. “They told us: Speed isn’t everything. What they want is a sports car that is small, compact, light, and that handles just the way they want it to handle”

Besides, says Tada, “The super-super-super fast cars are only for the super-rich. Even most super-rich don’t want to buy them.”

Tada wouldn’t speak to details like horsepower, price or weight distribution, but did give one revealing trait, claiming the FT-86 will have the lowest center of gravity of any production car on the market.

Beyond all this, the FT-86 (which will be sold in North America as the Scion FR-S) will be customizable and tunable. While Tada admits he often cringes at modified cars, he’s humble and knows the FT-86 is about more than him. “It is not made for the enjoyment of the engineer – it is made of the enjoyment of the owner.”

Read the full story at AutoGuide.com

[Flat-box]

hmm anti GTR even thought it agisnt it a lets say 2600 pound car with 180 hp wont beat a 3500 pound car even with 560hp behind it....

dont know how anti gtr it could be!

[FR_S_Fan]

I like how Toyota thinks.

The Nissan GT-R does have too much technology but for the times we live in, it's the perfect car. We can't keep living in the past and not move forward. But I do see what Toyota is getting at with the Nissan GT-R vs FR-S. Like they said, anyone experienced or inexperienced can drive a GT-R and seem like a pro.

I like that the FR-S is very simple and will take someone of serious skill to push the car to it's limits. Still can't wait for the FR-S to hit the streets so we can see how great this car is!

[rwdftw]

Its a simple car with controls at a flick of a switch.

Its like building a car for today's people with the technology of the 90's super cars the gtr, supra integra type r, and cars like that all have very minimal electronics and a true Japanese sports cars!

[FR_S_Fan]

Its a simple car with controls at a flick of a switch.

Its like building a car for today's people with the technology of the 90's super cars the gtr, supra integra type r, and cars like that all have very minimal electronics and a true Japanese sports cars!

For this I like to call the Nissan R35 GT-R the "Playstation On Wheels"

Nice car no doubt, but I feel it takes away from the driving experience. YOU want to be in control of the car, not the car be in control of you.

But these days it's all about who can put more cool things into a product, so can you blame them?

and because of all this technology the GT-R is able to smoke supercars

[AE86]

its more like the Buggati Veryon is the super computer of cars, the Nissan GT-R has Computing but once you turn everything off, its the motor lsd driver and thats pretty much about it!

FR-S just doesn't have any of the computer goodies to help you drive from the start!

[8-SiX]

For this I like to call the Nissan R35 GT-R the "Playstation On Wheels"

Nice car no doubt, but I feel it takes away from the driving experience. YOU want to be in control of the car, not the car be in control of you.

But these days it's all about who can put more cool things into a product, so can you blame them?

and because of all this technology the GT-R is able to smoke supercars

A lot of cars have more technology than you can imagine, i think people are getting too ahead of themselves since they finally seen a Nissan with some technology. BMW's, MB, Audi, all have a lot of technology in their cars. Give Nissan a break.