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Toyota teases GT-86 Open Concept cabriolet

Toyota has been busy creating a cabriolet version of the GT-86, its budget rear-wheel drive sports car. Known as the FT-86 Open Concept, the convertible GT-86 promises all the thrills of the coupe version, while delivering top down, sun-in-your-bald-patch thrills.

The Toyota GT-86 Open Concept and its US cousin, the FT-86 Open Concept, use the same powertrain as the coupe model. Both are propelled by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder boxer unit that produces 200bhp and 205Nm of torque.

The coupe and convertible have the same 2+2 seating arrangement and the dimensions of the car also remain unchanged.

The multi-layered fabric roof and its glass rear screen fold down behind the rear seats, keeping leg space in the back the same – minimal at best. Just be prepared to say good bye to a bit of the boot as that folding roof needs to live somewhere.

Other unique additions to the GT-86 Open Concept include a specially white paintjob with navy blue roof fabric. On the inside, you get dirt-attracting white leather with golden yellow stitching and carpets.

The GT86 isn’t the most powerful car on the planet and adding a convertible roof mechanism is bound to add to its 1,257kg weight, not to mention unbalance its all-important 53-47 front-to-rear weight distribution. Luckily Toyota is busy engineering the cabriolet to be “weight neutral” relative to the coupe, should the company decide to release the thing.

At the moment Toyota says the GT-86 Open Concept is merely designed to ‘test the water’ – hence the ‘concept’ bit. The car will be on show at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. Depending on the reception, it may well land on a Toyota forecourt near you.

Not familiar with the Toyota GT-86 or the identical Subaru Brz Coupe? Check out our full review

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