Mr. Sociable

The N/A EJ20 in the current JDM Legacy produces 190hp. Add D.I. and maybe a higher CR into the mix and you have 200 easy.

Amahl2442

For the STI version, I think they should stick to their legendary 4wd drivetrain and add the anti-lag system and active diffs from Prodrive's P2 concept car. Mated to the 2.5L turbo, the resulting car would approach supercar performance at an affordable (well, $65-70K anyway) price. Not exactly an entry-level sports car, but it would blow the current hatchback STIs out of the water.

As the proud owner of a 2004 STi, I've seen subsequent model years get heavier and slower...it's time for STi to get back to its performance-oriented rally car heritage and stop pandering to soccer moms! Just my 2 cents...

gjm

I stand corrected. I was just trying to say, as my memory serves, that Japanese enthusiast magazines are historically notorious for overstating figures.

Franisco

This car is not, and will never be AWD. BUY AN IMPREZA

Caliban

I hope both car makers bring both cars here! Happy ending!

Axel

It should prove to be decision time for enthusiasts if the FT-86 is only offered with the 160-200HP EJ20 2.0L engine and the Subie offers the EJ25 2.5L engine that’s expected to produce between 240–250HP.

There may or may not be room for the EJ25 turbocharged engine producing close to 300HP, or the robustness of the drivetrain to handle that under warranty.

I'd rank the following price/power points as to what I might pay (including considering the higher insurance & maintenance costs on the more potent engines):

#1 choice - Subaru 086A w/EJ25 $27K
#2 choice - Subaru 086A STi w/EJ25T $32K
#3 choice - Toyota FT-86 w/EJ20 $23K
#4 choice - Subaru 086A w/EJ20 $23K

What are your rankings so far and what might you pay for them?

OldSkoolToys

I think its funny people are debating over getting the Toyota version or the Subaru STI version.

The whole purpose of Toyota's FT-86 was to recreate, in today's market/economy, the AE86 to the best of their ability. That means:

Sporty design that matches the timeframe
Relatively cheap
Good fuel economy
Reliable
Fun but not overpowering
RWD
Lightweight and compact

I could keep going down the list.

Personally, I think an STI version of this car would be freekin' amazing, but I'm not going to buy it. I own and daily drive an AE86 and thats really the only reason I'm so hyped about this car. Its going to be like owning a brand new 86 (as close as possible, at least) in a modern time frame.

An STI cousin of the same car isn't even close to matching an AE86, its practically a completely different car with a different feel to its driving behavior. If all you're looking for is more HP, and don't care how the engine reacts (mainy, NA vs. Force Induction), and don't really care about weight (the STI version will undoubtedly be heavier), then get the Subaru version down the road. Any other 'comparisons' between the Toyota version and the Subaru version are pretty much pointless. Each company is trying to achieve a somewhat same goal, but in a different fashion.

Axel

The fact remains there will probably be both the Toyota & Subaru versions sold in the U.S. They will have slightly different looks, with the rumor of more engine and performance choices on the Subaru. They'll probably appeal to somewhat different audiences... presumably with some Subie buyers willing to shell out more $ for higher output engines, wider tires, etc.

Isn't choice grand?

Toyota4life

I guess Toyota will also come up with engine choices, and a sweet TRD package. ( will this car have BBS wheels? Lexus models have BB wheels.)

Axel

So far the media have implied the Toyota will only have the base engine. That would seem stupid to me, but Toyota's been plenty stupid in the past so you never know. Let's hope they will also offer the larger engine. The media are all saying that Subie will offer the smaller engine in addition to larger engine(s), so if Toyota doesn't go that route they will potentially be missing out on some easy sales.