How does Subaru tie into the ae86 family?!?!?!?!

[ToyotaPower]

I've been pondering this for a while now and I cannot figure it out for the life of me. How does the Subaru BRZ tie into the ae86 history line? it isn't a Toyota but is based off the ae86, did Subaru have something to do with the ae86 that I'm missing? If this is posted in the wrong area of the forums I'm sorry I'm new.

[cbjaust]

some context would help...

[Big T]

Uhhhh they supplied the motor for the new 86. Toyota built the chassis, Subaru supplied the engine. It's happened a few times in the past. Alfa Romeo and Nissan(?) got together in the late 80s as did Holden and Nissan in the 90s so it's not a new thing.

[ae8zn6]

To be honest Big T, Fuji Heavy (ie, Subaru) built the whole thing... There are many places on the chassis that are stamped Subaru just to spite Toyota owners it would seem.

Toyota were heavily involved in the design process (and actually instigated it) and did much of the exterior design and suspension tuning. Toyota were also the side that set some of the defining characteristics of the car that were heavily debated and opposed by Subaru, ie NA, RWD and lightweight focused. They also 'gave' Subaru the D4S direct injection system as part of the deal, which was directly against the advice of the company hierarchy.

Having said that, Toyota own a stake in Subaru in the order of 20-25%. Therefore Toyota do well when Subaru do well.

In direct answer to your question Subaru have no link to the AE86. The BRZ project is the ZN6 project and that is the only 'link'. Again, if Subaru had their way the project would hardly have paid any homage to the AE86 as it would have been substantially heavier, Turbo and AWD.

There are also rumors that Subaru are fed up with the whole thing and want to pull out of the project altogether, but that is all internet rumor and hearsay.... So who knows how valid it is or isn't.

[ToyotaPower]

Oh alright that makes sense, like ford and Toyota with the prism. I guess I should of know Toyota doesn't really like flat four tech.

[Matt]

First of all welcome to our forums...

The share Toyota have in Subaru I feel played a played a significant part in the partnership, along with cost savings and things like that. Partnering up to save costs is not something new to Toyota, as they have done in the past with our local manufacturer holden. The Nova ( which is an AE92 Corolla) and the Lexcen ( Holden Commodore) were effectively the same cars.

Toyota is also partnering up with BMW to produce the new model Supra which will be very interesting to see how it is received around the world. Toyota is also still selling ALLOT of Corollas and Camrys world wide and not having the capacity to produce the cars could play a role too.

Subaru fans are angry the car is NA, Toyota fans are angry it has the boxer engine and myself am wondering how long this arrangement will last.

[Konakid]

haha sums it up perfectly

[evil86]

Its a Subaru chassis and motor with Toyota's direct injection.

The idea of the car was there but the design in my opinion could of been better.

I'd still buy one though

[dove grey 64]

Its not the first time toyota has had a boxer engine and toyota threw subaru a lifeline due to shithouse sales of the current shit subaru lineup.
True story bro

[AJPS]

i cant wait for the partnership to end - wish subaru were never involved - but it would of been a lot more expensive


Matt - the toyota lexen thing was partially australian govt mandated

Mazda and ford had a massive partnership with a lot of shared platforms and cars