Now that the international auto show circus has shifted into neutral gear for the summer, Toyota is back at the Nurburgring trying out its upcoming FT-86 rear-wheel drive sports coupe, which is been co-developed with Subaru. The prototype seen in these fresh spy spots appears to be wearing a production bodywork while also featuring a host of aero fittings, the most prominent of which is the jumbo-size rear wing that brings to mind the last Supra.

Talking about the Toyota brand’s last sports coupe with a rear-wheel drive layout, as you can see for yourself in our photo gallery, a mid-90’s example of the Supra was spotted traveling alongside the FT-86 at the Nurburgring. Observing the two cars together, it is not hard to see the resemblance.

However, to be completely honest, the first thing that popped into mind upon seeing the large rear wing and the multi-spoke wheels of the prototype was the image of a Subaru model…

But given the proximity of the prototype’s design to the Toyota FT-86 II concept shown in Geneva and the US market Scion FR-S study revealed in New York earlier this year, we’re inclined to believe it’s the Toyota / Scion model.

Whereas the overall shape appears to be the same to the FT-86 II, if you look closely, there are some new details such as the shape of the headlamps and tail lamps, while the front bumper looks very much like the one fitted on the Scion FR-S.

While we’ll have to wait to see the final design touches, Toyota recently confirmed that the European version of the FT-86 will wear Subaru’s new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine. The same four-cylinder can be found under the hood of the latest Subaru Impreza, where it delivers 148-ponies. Toyota said that it will upgrade the boxer unit with its direct injection D-4S technology and as a result, offer increased output. Power will be sent to the rear wheels via a short shoft six speed manual gearbox or an optional six-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifts.

Both the European market version of the FT-86 and the North American Scion FR-S will reach showrooms in 2012.

PHOTO GALLERY