Front-rear sport. Not exactly an enticing name, nor is the acronym FR-S, but that's exactly what the latest reports are saying the Toyota FT-86 could be named. The source is a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office filing reserving the name, filed by Toyota on May 27.
The FR-S name is trademarked for use on "automobiles and structural parts thereof," and with only the FT-86 bearing the implicit front-rear, sports car layout of the name, it seems the likely candidate for use. While confirmed for the U.S. earlier this year by Toyota president Jim Lentz, the car is also reportedly delayed to as late as 2013 for design tweaks.
When it does come along, however, expect it to be fundamentally the same as the 2.0-liter boxer-engined four-cylinder sports car unveiled at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. Pricing is expected to tip in below $25,000, and with its planned performance, weight and layout, it's set to be a prime competitor for the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, though the Genesis may sport a power advantage.
