Just saw posted at FT86club

Subaru has just confirmed that its version of the Toyota FT-86 sports coupe will finally be revealed at the Geneva motorshow in March. What's most interesting is that it will be RWD! It's going to be weird to see a non-AWD Subaru IMO.

Car is going to be on an all new platform with a boxer engine.

via http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=916

 

While Subaru has non awd cars overseas, releasing one without it in the US seems to just undermine its whole marketing image its worked hard to create over the last 8 years or so.

If this car has a decent power output, it should make for an entertaining car. I'm on board.

 

Since this is going to be a RWD car, I'd be surprised both Subaru and Toyota sold their models in the US. Just cannibalize each other's sales.

 

I could see the Subaru being sold in other markets and only the Toyota being sold in US. Didn't they talk about that before?

 

I believe you are correct. I guess I was just hoping for a high performance STi version to come here. While I'm a current Subaru owner, I don't see any of their current models to be very exciting. Bringing the FT in a Subaru STi trim would revitalize their lineup and bring back some of the enthusiasts it alienated.

 

And when it only sells 1/3 of what it should then Subaru will make it AWD.

 

subarus biggest market is US... so doesnt make sense.

 

They'll look very different. This has been said before. The handling will probably be different as well. This is a joint venture, but Toyota and Subaru are different companies. I'm sure we'll see soon. Geneva is in March, correct?

 

A Subaru with rear-wheel drive = FAIL

 

How about the SVX which was FWD? Want that instead? Your comment is fail.

 

that should be interesting,

 

No it isn't. Subaru is more than 90% ALL WHEEL DRIVE. The less than 10% are composed of front wheel drive cars (like the Justy, R1 and R2 and so on).

AFAIK, there was never a rear wheel drive Subaru (anyone correct me if I'm wrong).......and IMHO, there doesn't need to be.

Subaru is primarily All wheel drive. The Symmetrical All Wheel Drive is part of their identity.

Hence, Subaru does not need rear wheel drive. It is fine for other carmakers to use RWD but for Subaru, it isn't needed.

and what for?

Subaru has primarily stayed with AWD and for more than thirty years at that.

Hence, there is no point for a rear-wheel drive Subaru

 

Subaru 360

But I have to agree with your argument nonetheless

 

Subaru can not make money on making cars that sell only very small volumes... total volume for subaru is 500k per year... they can not spend absurd amount of money to develop awd version that will sell 10k units at most.

 

not to mention that due to upcoming fuel regulations, subaru will have to offer more fwd and rwd models.