Video interview with Jaromir Cech - Toyota FT-86 designer
Q&A Jaromir Cech, Toyota FT-86 designer
Full story: Toyota FT-86 designer Jaromir Cech interview
transcript of the video:
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Steve Sutcliffe: Now, although not everything is going quite according to plan at the moment at the world's largest car maker, there are still one or two things to be cheerful about at Toyota and this is certainly one of them.
Welcome to the FT-86 Concept. Otherwise known as the Toyobaru, mainly because it is the result of a joint project between Toyota and Subaru. This is a traditional front engine rear wheel drive coupe that is set to go on sale in 2012 for less than twenty thousand pounds. And if it drives even half as good as it looks... well, I reckon we're all in for a right treat.
So we're here with Jaromir Cech... is that correct?
Jaromir Cech: yes
Steve Sutcliffe: ...one of the designers of the FT-86. Um, just tell me a bit about the car. How long have you been involved with it and how long has this project been in your mind.
Jaromir Cech: Se we started in 2008 in mid year and basically finished by 2009 in October for the... well August... for Tokyo Motor Show in October.
Basically as a designers we always try to make it exciting... but I think just the basic brief was so exciting I can... you would have it make it really bad to go wrong, you know.
The we had before we actually see the package or anything we heard of rumors from TMC or from Japan they testing the chassis on Norschleife it goes like a go cart.
Actually the whole design, the concept for the car was functional beauty. And that says we NEED to respect the function of the sports car essentials... and, ah, give it the beauty, the something that makes you think "ah this is what I want."
The production should start 2012.
Steve Sutcliffe: so maybe...
Jaromir Cech: maybe even before
Steve Sutcliffe: This, as it says, is a concept. What can you see changing? What can you see being lost on a production car that is on this?
Jaromir Cech: I think the bonnet will have to go up, not because of the unfeasible engineering things... I think that's... you can put in poduction like that.
Steve Sutcliffe: It's for pedestrian..
Jaromir Cech: Pedestrian pact, yeah. I mean, ah, basically I heard that Mr. Toyoda really like it and he wants to push it very very closely to production... the exterior.
The interior I think... it's ah... I would be very surprised if there would be something left. Basic idea was actually the same as exterior... to emphasize the low center of gravity and emphasize the lightweight feeling. So...
Steve Sutcliffe: Right... so you deliberately make it appear as low as possible...
Jaromir Cech: yes... create a dominant central tunnel and really light IP... no addditional. The original dasboard idea was to create trimming the oven ducting and the idea of the zippers was to... not just a decoration but to... but for example instead of creating plastic pockets... is just as a you have like a jacket pocket, so you're taking away unnecessary plastic.
Steve Sutcliffe: How do you think you'll do that in a production car?
Jaromir Cech: I don't see why not but I think it's, ah, maybe unconventional.
Steve Sutcliffe: What about... what about backseats? Will there be... will there basically be just no back seat?
Jaromir Cech: There will be... well there should be two plus two but... ah... actually for small kids.
Steve Sutcliffe: I mean you can potentially be able to seat small adults...
Jaromir Cech: Small person, yeah.
Steve Sutcliffe: A bit like a 911
Jaromir Cech: Yeah, I guess... worked a little bit on the concept with Playstation. Is a little bit, yeah again, engaging to have a fun car and... of course when you go to production maybe this will be the GPS standard issue thing. That was the whole idea as well, to try to concentrate all the information in front of you even in a production car... to... so you don't have to look up, down...
Steve Sutcliffe: Everything's just...
Jaromir Cech: Everything's just...
Steve Sutcliffe: ...right there. It looks really neat. And this is just the normal six speed gearbox?
Jaromir Cech: Yeah. You have a...
Steve Sutcliffe: You won't have anything fancy...
Jaromir Cech: No. Even the handbrake that was actually the whole intention... it's design in spade of old Corolla so you can go drifting.
Steve Sutcliffe: That's great. I love it. I think it looks absolutely fantastic. It looks as good inside as it does outside. So production in...
Jaromir Cech: 2012
Steve Sutcliffe: ...next year? or 2012?
Jaromir Cech: 2012... so two more years
Steve Sutcliffe: An you can confirm that?
Jaromir Cech: Yes. I could give you probably my left hand on it.
Steve Sutcliffe: Right. Thank you very much...
Jaromir Cech: Thank you...
Steve Sutcliffe: for showing me around this car. It's great! I'm excited!
