#SubaruFt-86

Subaru’s version of the Toyota FT-86 front-engine, rear-wheel drive sports coupe will finally debut at this December’s Tokyo Auto Show. Toyota will sell its version as a Scion in the U.S. As for the Subaru model, well, according to the latest reports, there won’t be a powerful, turbocharged STI version.

Subaru will finally reveal its version of the Toyobaru rear-drive coupe at the Geneva Auto Show this March.

The automaker has confirmed that it will display a concept dubbed the ‘Subaru Rear-Wheel Drive Sports Car Technology Concept.’ As the name suggest, however, it will be a concept and we don’t expect to see a production version until after the Toyota model debuts – possibly at the Tokyo Auto Show at the end of 2011.

Described as a joint venture with Toyota, Subaru says the vehicle will use an all-new platform and will be powered by the company’s horizontally-opposed boxer engine, helping to deliver both a compact powerplant and one with a low center of gravity.

Get more Toyobaru news and info at FR-SForum.com

And see AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Geneva Auto Show preview here.

Official release after the jump:

According to the latest reports out of Japan, Subaru‘s version of the Toyota FT-86 (FR-S) is still on track with plans to deliver a higher-powered version of the two-door coupe. Believed to be powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that powers the WRX STI it will make around 260-hp – a 60-hp jump over the Toyota version. With Subaru opting to offer the WRX and STI models with a larger 2.5-liter engine in North America, this does raise the possibility that the same powerplant will be offered in the FT-86 variant here as well. (Or maybe we’ll finally get the rev-happy 2.0).

Subaru is reportedly looking to scrap plans for an AWD version of the Toyota FT-86 in favor of a rear-drive only model. This is sure to have the marketing department at Subaru up in arms with the accountants, as Subaru’s whole brand identity is based on the company’s Symmetrical AWD setup.