What's Going on Between Toyota and Subaru on the Convertible Version of the GT-86/FR-S/BRZ?

Doesn't it strike you as odd that Toyota would go gone into all that trouble creating multiple editions of the FT-86 Open concept in both left and right drive, if it has no plans to build a convertible edition out of its Scion FR-S and Toyota GT 86 models?

Yet, that's precisely what Subaru brand chief Yasuyuki Yoshinaga is claiming. Speaking to Autonews on the sidelines of the ongoing 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, Yoshinaga said that there won't be a convertible version of any of the cars as they would require a complete re-make to meet safety standards.

"We make the car, so if we don't make it, it can't happen," Yoshinaga said in Tokyo. "Our engineering department told me that losing the entire roof requires a complete redesign of the structure. It would need a big change."

While not mentioned in the report from Autonews, we do remember that when Toyota first showed the white FT-86 Open concept in Geneva earlier this year, it said the exact opposite of what Yoshinaga claimed, and we quote Toyota Europe President Didier Leroy:

"I know you are all wondering about facts and figures, and body rigidity. Well, we have the same worries and Tada [chief engineer of the GT 86] and his team are deep into analysis. But GT86 was designed from the start as a cabriolet… That probably tells you all you needed to know." Apparently not…

Yoshinaga added that while he feels for Toyota, an open-top model just won't happen.

"I understand well that Toyota is receiving strong requests from the American market for the car," he said. "But the biggest challenge is meeting our internal safety standards. There are big technical difficulties."

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Oh, No or Who Cares? A Toyota AE86 Cemetery in Japan

The memories of the original AE86 generation of the Toyota Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno are slowly drifting way with each generation of new drivers, but the spirit of the "Hachi-roku" lives on in its spiritual successor, the Toyota 86 (also badged as the Toyota GT 86, and of course, as the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ).

Still, there are plenty of fans left of the rear-wheel drive model. We know this may sound strange to the ears of some, but these folks might get a tad emotional watching this video from the crew at YouTube's mcmtv2, who stumbled upon what they described as, a "Toyota AE86 cemetery" behind a shop in Japan.

"Out in the country side of Japan we found this row of AE86's rusting away in the jungle," they noted.

Slide your mouse pointer pass the break to watch the clip.

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Hey, Where's the Dubai Motor Show "Confirmed" Toyota GT 86 Sedan Concept?

It's day two of the 2013 Dubai Motor Show, yet the "officially confirmed" debut of the mythical Toyota GT 86 Sports Sedan Concept that was "teased" with an "official rendering" alludes us. If anything, you can't say we didn't warn you not to waste your time waiting for it at the Middle East's biggest car event...

Anyway, since we're on the subject of Toyota's presence at the ongoing Dubai auto show, we have a selection of photos from the Japanese brand's local presentations.

These include the soon-to-be axed FJ Cruiser in the Xtreme trim edition, the European FT-86 Open Top Concept (there's also a JDM version for the Tokyo Motor Show), TRD-prepped Yaris, Corolla and GT 86, and a few more models, which you can take a glance at in the following gallery.

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Toyota FT-86 Open Concept Wears a Red Dress for Tokyo Motor Show

We've read conflicting reports on the fate of the Toyota FT-86 Open Concept that was originally displayed in white at this year's Geneva Motor Show, but the Japanese company doesn't seem willing to let go, just yet.

At the 2013 edition of the Tokyo Motor Show later this month, it will host the Japanese market premiere of the study with a red twist, and by that, we mean the FT-86 Open concept sports a new “Flash Red” body hue borrowed from the coupe, along with a re-colored interior.

Also, unlike the white Geneva concept, it comes in a right-hand drive configuration and with an automatic, instead of a manual transmission.

Again, there's no mention of a production version of the soft-top four-seater, with Toyota reiterating its previous statement that the car was "created to explore future sports car variations".

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