The cabriolet concept of the famed Toyota FT-86 called the ‘Open’ will make its first appearance at the Geneva Motor Show.
The convertible shares the same dimensions of the coupe (length 4,240mm, width 1,750mm, height 1,270mm), with the fixed hard-top replaced by a multi-layered fabric roof with a glass rear screen. The cabin has the same 2+2 seating format and the soft-top doesn’t take much of the available luggage space.
The show car will have a pure bright white and navy blue colour scheme designed by Toyota Boshoku Milan Design (TBMD) to capture the vibes of Milan, the world’s fashion capital. The exterior is finished in white and the electrically operated roof is in a contrasting blue. The perforated white leather upholstery is layered over a navy blue backing, with golden yellow accent stitching and carpets. Other extras include an iPod/iPhone mount on the dashboard.
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The concept gets 10-spoke 18-inch wheels and larger ultra-profile tyres, retains the “impossible” rear seats and has the 6-speed automatic transmission.
The Open gets the same horizontally opposed 1,998cc four cylinder “boxer” engine with 197 bhp with a specific power output of 100bhp per litre. Power will go to the rear wheels through a short-throw, 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. Apparently, the auto shifts ratios in two tenths of a second.
It will retain the MacPherson strut front and double wishbone rear suspension setup and the electric power steering which has a quick 13.1:1 ratio. The FT86 has a near-perfect 53:47 front-to-rear weight distribution and a low 460mm centre of gravity. The Open tips the scales at only 1257kg and the consequential power-to-weight ratio is around 160bhp per tonne.
