Rumor: Baby Toyota FT-86 being developed 1

According to the automotive grapevine, Japanese car manufacturer Toyota is now thinking about releasing a baby version of FT-86 sports car. The Baby FT-86 is rumored to carry Toyota’s 3SZ-VE engine, which is a 1.5-liter inline-4. The engine can generate 109 bhp of power. This new car is set to rival Honda CR-Z and other models in that range. The announced working price will also be at least $5000 cheaper than the standard FT-86.

There are still very scarce information about the new car, but the launch is slates some time in 2012. However, no official announcements have been made by Toyota yet. Meanwhile, the FT-86 sports car will go on sale on 2011.  The price tag isn’t fixed yet, but the company did say that it’s going to be only slightly pricier than $20,000. Earlier, Toyota promised consumers that it will be selling the FT-86 lover that $20,000.

It seems that the Japanese car manufacturer underestimated its production costs, though. The FT-86 concept was first introduced in 2009, and is the much-anticipated successor to AE86. The two-door rear-driven sports car received a warm welcome when it was launched in the Geneva Motor Show recently.

Aside from the series of photos released by the Japanese automaker, there were no pronouncements about the car’s engine make up made. It can be noted, though, that this model catapults Toyota’s attempt at building a heritage outside of its Lexus brand. The company just might draw loyal, brand-conscious customers to its side with the sports car. Aside from the Corolla AE86, the FT-86 also succeeded the Supra and Celica.