Toyota attempting to ‘green’ the sports car

Gas-powered model to debut at show gets mileage of less muscular vehicle

Besides showing off its well-known hybrids, Toyota will take a slightly different tack at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show to display a green sports car with a special kind of gasoline engine.

The FT-86, inspired by a sporty Corolla model from the 1980s called AE86, has a Subaru engine from Toyota partner Fuji Heavy Industries, whose pistons are positioned horizontally, instead of vertically as in standard engines.

Subaru and Porsche SE are among the few automakers in the world making that type of engine, which allows for a quiet drive and a low-sitting mean look that's a trademark for sportscars.

Toyota chief engineer Tetsuya Tada said the ruby-red sportscar, debuting at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month, will appeal to car enthusiasts who remember the fun-to-drive "spirit of the 86."