The Toyota FT-86 II is soaking up yet more autoshow limelight, despite having been little more than a circuit regular for over a year now. Subaru's version of the rear-drive platform looks at least as promising, and about half as ... awkward.
Sporting a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated boxer engine, rear-drive, and a planned production date of spring, 2012, the RWD Sports Car, as it's being called internally for now, is shaping up to be a performer. We already know from their all-wheel-drive performance models that Subaru can tune a chassis, and with this car purpose-built for fun, rather than an adaptation of a family sedan, we expect even better things.
Why? For one, the engine is lower and further back in the engine bay than in Subaru's all-wheel-drive cars, because it doesn't need a transfer case for the front wheels. Along with shorter front and rear overhangs, the more central engine location minimizes polar moment, meaning it will change directions more willingly. It still uses MacPherson strut suspension, however, so it will be limited in some respects, particularly for those seeking lower ride heights.
Along with the Geneva unveiling of the skeletal RWD Sports Car, Subaru has graced us with a few core specs: overall length, width and height of 4,200 x 1,770 x 1,270 mm; a 2,570 mm wheelbase; 215/45 tires on 17-inch wheels; and the 2.0-liter boxer engine.
Stay tuned for more details, as we don't expect to have to wait long to see a production-ready "concept."
