Toyota planning a new RWD Coupe?

[RICHARDO]

http://www.7tune.com/?p=63

I was looking around club4ag.com when I found this article, could Toyota really build it?

 

[V1P3R]

While this sound ****ing awesome the Toyota of today is NOT the Toyota of yesterday... I'm skeptical.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Right, it's highly improbable. But I WANT it.

That says something. I am not much of an import guy (RXs excluded), soo...

 

[YSSMAN]

One more case of "nevergonnahappen.com" in the Toyota book. They keep throwing these concepts at us, and yet they've done nothing to show that these cars actually want to exist.

Don't worry Toyota, GM will be happy to beat you to the small RWD car market...

 

[TopHat]

Don't worry Toyota, Mazda will be happy to beat you to the small RWD car market...

Fixed.

But yeah, if this happens, I'll eat my shoes.

 

[RICHARDO]

I know it seems improbable, but Toyota apparently does acknowledge it's past. Since they did that ad periodical on the AE86, I'm beginning to think maybe their starting to change their tune.



.....Bah, what I was I thinking? It'll never happen.

 

[V1P3R]

Don't worry Toyota, GM will be happy to beat you to the small RWD car market...

💡 uh... go ion! (Note to self... buy a cobalt)

 

[niky]

Well, like I've said before, Toyota does have a small rear-drive platform mated to its 1.5 liter engine. A Daihatus seven seater called the Terios. Since it's unibody, coil-sprung and about as narrow as a Honda Fit, it wouldn't take much modification to make it into a modern day Levin.

Just as long as they fix the suspension tuning. The Terios' suspension is total crap.

 

[Wolfe]

Never. Gonna. Happen. </M5Power>

Don't worry Toyota, Mazda will be happy to beat you to the small RWD car market...

Fixed.

Mazda "will" be happy to beat them there? Have you ever heard of a little something called the MX-5?

 

[a6m5]

Even if it does come out in Japan, how long until they let us have it?

According to the article, their projected MSRP is around $12,300. Uh-huh. Maybe the engine's optional.

 

[YSSMAN]

Well, its already cold in hell, given that Gordon Murray wants to build a family car, Porsche wants to build a hybrid, and GM is keeping the table open for a diesel Camaro.

A RWD "modern" Toyota? Affordable?

Hell will be a skating rink by then...

Furthermore, how does Toyota plan to sell it? As a Scion? Do they want 50 year olds driving them? Or do they want the regular Toyota "one foot in the grave, the other on a banana peel" types that buy those?

===

That reminds me, I need to go look at a Tundra so I can blow the dude's mind...

 

[JohnBM01]

Hello, RICHARDO. Hope you're having a great day. Had a chance to look at the link you provided, and I'll tell you what. We could be looking at a car that may become a hit with the compact crowd, the drifting crowd, and even those who just want a potent and capable road car. I can already see this machine as a tuner at a Hot Import Nights event or something (I wished they'd come back to Houston). It could be a step in the right direction for most people who love a rear-wheel drive car that's affordably priced. Last seriously affordable RWD Toyota I can recall was the short-lived MR-S. Then again, they've made the most affordable mid-engined car with the MR-S and the MR-2 even before the MR-S. Most of the dimensions make this car look great. I think if they could style this machine more like the latest Camry, it would look great. We've always referred to the Levins as the Corolla. And could you imagine if this thing ends up being the next Corolla? It may be the first true Corolla since the 1980s. I normally think sports car or a sporty car with RWD. When's the last time you heard of a FWD car as one of the greatest sports cars of all time? It may make some other companies try to offer RWD vehicles that are affordable even in this day and age.

My personal preference on automobiles is on style and design. In looking at the style of this car designed by Toyota, I can actually sense cues of the good old AE86 in its design. It has that sort of hatchback look to it from the sides. I think if Toyota really wants to go retro, they could make a long spoiler at the rear like the old AE86. The taillights of the AE86 and this newer AE86 are different. This newer model has tall taillights compared to the horizontal-type lights of the old AE86. Another [obvious] difference is that this AE86 is more aerodynamic than the old beater. The difference I applaud is that it features non-retractable headlights. I hate retractable lights, which was my only dislike of the C5 Corvette (how did we go from Toyota to a Corvette?)

More power to Toyota if they make this machine. They should be easily able to deliver on their promises and make this car the knockout Toyota wishes it to be. Out of 100% approval, I'm giving this around 87% approval.

 

[a6m5]

Like you guys are saying, it's a no-brainer, and they won't do it...... At least we won't believe it, until Toyota actually announce the arrival. If they can sell it at the starting price around $15,000, it will be on backorder for at least a year.

That drawing of it in the magazine looks like a "if they mated" of Scion tC and the last Celica.

 

[YSSMAN]

I was reading through the article and I was quite surprised that they seem to think Toyota would push the car out at not much above 2200 lbs. They did realize that they're talking about Toyota, right? I'd bump that up to, at the very least, 2500 lbs, and it would be a start. But even with the 120 BHP engine they speak of, one has to wonder if it would be enough to make most people happy.

On a good day, a GM Kappa car will clock in just above 2800 lbs. Add a fixed roof, and get rid of some of the other "strength enhancements," and you could maybe see a loss of 200 lbs. Sticking a 2600lb Kappa against a 2500 lb Toyota would be an interesting fight, and it would be one I'd pay to see.

Either way, depending on who goes first and furthermore what kind of response the car gets will likely decide who does what in the near-future. If Toyota does it, everyone will do it. If GM does it, only if it succeeds, will anyone do it.

Still, the acceptance of a small, RWD car may likely be decided on the slightly larger BMW 1-series. If it can do well in the States, GM and Ford may rush to do their own things, and others will scramble to do much the same.

The parts and pieces are all there, someone just has to glue them together...

 

[Wolfe]

I was reading through the article and I was quite surprised that they seem to think Toyota would push the car out at not much above 2200 lbs. They did realize that they're talking about Toyota, right? I'd bump that up to, at the very least, 2500 lbs, and it would be a start.

The last Celica, which is probably a larger car than this "new AE86" would be, weighed just over 2400lbs in manual GT guise. And that's with a 1.8L DOHC. The MR-S, which is closer in concept to this "new AE86" idea, weighed just 2200lbs with the same engine.

Toyota still knows how to build a light car when they want to.

But even with the 120 BHP engine they speak of, one has to wonder if it would be enough to make most people happy.

Not even the 180hp Celica GT-S was enough for most people in this country. This car's success would hinge on its RWD and link to the old AE86.

On a good day, a GM Kappa car will clock in just above 2800 lbs. Add a fixed roof, and get rid of some of the other "strength enhancements," and you could maybe see a loss of 200 lbs.

Somehow I doubt a manufacturer has ever removed strengthening from a convertible-turned-coupe. Why put in extra effort to make the car just a bit floppier?

The only manufacturer I can think of that's weight-obsessed enough to think of this would be Lotus.

 

[Muzaffar]

Face it,its never going to happen.I can only believe it when they produce the Toyota FT-HS or even the Lexus LF-A.I think its better to convert a car into a rear wheel drive then to wait for another manufacturer to produce another FR car which could takes years just to show the concept (let alone producing it)

 

[V1P3R]

Seriously though... how ****ing hard is it to throw an engine, seat, steering wheel and wheels on a car??

The problem with here (America) is everyone is full of themselves and they "need" all these unnecessary amenities.

I was talking to a friend a while ago about this. Everyone is crying over gas mileage yet what are they driving?! Hmm.... Suv... luxo...

If we really want to save gas and have a "light" car then we'd be driving with only what we absolutely needed in a car. 💡

 

[Bram Turismo]

I won't happen.


Toyota does not need to make sportsmodels or any change in their line-up, they're not for nothing there with the "big 3".


'Nuff said. kthxbai

 

[GT Pro]

I'd love to believe that Toyota would produce a new, small rear-wheel drive vehicle reminiscent of the AE86, but It's truly obvious that I, and everyone else, would end up disappointed in the end. The last 'exciting' car Toyota built was killed off almost a decade ago, and I'm sure that until Toyota gains the common-sense they need to 'rebuild' the brand's image (by revitalising their relatively exciting and sporty vehicles of the 90's), they will write every (no-brainer) idea as unprofitable.

 

[Jim Prower]

Has everyone forgotten about the IS-F? That at least shows Toyota's still willing to build a -GE engine again.

 

[JohnBM01]

Even if Toyota doesn't go through with this, wouldn't you agree this would be a killer deal for Toyota to come up with such a car? What kind of impact do you think this car could have in its segment here in America?

 

[Jim Prower]

Well, G.M.'s looking into small RWD cars, Why Shouldn't Toyota? I think by simply calling it "Trueno", Be it Toyota or Scion, (Scion Trueno...that's worlds better than tC) It'd have a good amount of market recognition by the guys who really mattered, and it would seem fresh and new to poeple who don't.

Just put a -GE in it and we'll be very happy. ^w^

 

[Race Idiot]

Just put a -GE in it and we'll be very happy. ^w^

You should be saying, just make it not incredibly heavy, not full of electronic crap, not have torque converter auto with sport paddles™ on the sporty version, not have an electric steering rack with sod all road feel, not have heavy arse 18" wheels and not have drive by wire.

Never going to happen ever.

 

[Jim Prower]

That's pretty much what every -GE car didnt' have. Celica, Supra, MR-S, AE111, and, i'm pretty sure, IS-F.

 

[Race Idiot]

That's pretty much what every -GE car didnt' have. Celica, Supra, MR-S, AE111, and, i'm pretty sure, IS-F.

Isn't the IS-F the sporty IS that only came in auto only and is meant to be equivalent to an M3? Also the celica was killed off to be replaced by the tc which is based off the toyota avensis chassis which probably competes with the camry for the dullness stakes. I had a go in the last gen celica and I was pretty impressed with the way it drove, nice revvy engine, gearbox was nice and it was pointable. What did toyota replace it with in the us? the tC, what did they replace it with in the rest of the world bugger all thats what nothing.

 

[Wolfe]

The last 'exciting' car Toyota built was killed off almost a decade ago...

2006/Early 2007 was almost a decade ago?

 

[RICHARDO]

I could picture this car being sold a somewhat of a "specialty stripper sports coupe". As in the car will have basic amenities, no electronic crap to hinder it, an LSD, no AC, ABS optional, and a vast parts catalog from TRD. (REAL parts, not just shift knobs and LED interior lights. )

This is Toyota's change to regain trust from the enthusiast community, hopefully they take avantage of it.

 

[Azuremen]

2006/Early 2007 was almost a decade ago?

Snip

Thank you Wolfe for pointing that out.

My Toyota fanboyism wants to be like "Yes, YES!!" But I am skeptical as well since these rumors come out every year.

Though Brad Yss.. I am about to virtually pimp slap you

Toyota can build plenty light cars, and I would say they are better at then Honda still in the states (EP3 Si vs Corolla XRS), and there is the talk on the IS coupe. Shrinking the platform and dropping in a 4 cylinder would work well (more so if they are working with Yamaha on G heads again).

And they know they'll have to beat the Sky/Solstice for cost, so under 20 grand in the Scion marque. Which, yes, quite a few young people do buy and drive. Amazing, I know.

 

[YSSMAN]

I think if Toyota puts their minds to it, I'm sure they could do it, but their track record (as of late) suggests otherwise. However, I don't think that shrinking the IS will do much to help, as that too is already a moderately heavy car to begin with (more than 4400 lbs according to Edmunds, MORE than a GM Zeta car!).

They will break every rule by stripping out every safety option known to man, but if they do it, it will be a huge step forward for the industry.

 

[JohnBM01]

I think it would depend on how "balls-out" Toyota wants to go with this thing. Do they want to make a low-priced RWD small coupe, or are they wanting to make a low-priced RWD small coupe for sporting purposes? Do they want to make this a coupe whose true performance can be found in tuning and modifying this car (or simply just going racing with it)? Japan has even made vehicles south of 4,000 mm in length with RWD or at least 4WD. Toyota doesn't have a truly exiting car in its current lineup. This is since the Celica was axed, since the MR-S was axed, and since the Supra has been axed even before the Celica and MR-S were deceased. I know the new Celica is the Scion tC (which I like), but nothing excting. Look at their rivals at Nissan. Their most exciting car is the 350Z. I think Toyota could kind of build up to something bigger and better here in the States if they go through with this. Imagine them making this machine discussed in this thread, and then wants to build a RWD sports car just as loved as the Chaser (not sold in America, or at least not a Toyota in America) or the Supra. A thing about some of those such spy shots is that painting them up in black doesn't seriously show all of the lines. The pictures from the first page shown the car in silver and red. Why not all-over one color? I know you want to hide the full looks from the public, but at least give some full indication about the car.

I now want to focus on what kinds of buyers would embrace such a car. I think most of the tuner types would embrace a car like this. The focus on drifting and the sort of lineage with this machine is what draws most tuner folk to something like this. Question is, would Toyota try and market this as an affordable performance compact with RWD? Would "Generation Y" buy into something like this? The Chrysler 300 shown that you can build a great sedan or coupe with RWD. Would the same economy car type look into something like this for day-to-day use? Toyota would need to find a certain demographic to work with. Perhaps try to make this appealing to both performance types and the economy car buyer.

The big surprise to all of this is if at a big auto show (not specifying which one), Toyota shows up with a close-to-production or production model hitting auto stores soon during Auto Show season. A production car based on these concept pictures would make us cry after we've laughed about how this was never going to happen. This car has more of a chance of becoming a reality than that hatchback Ferrari that was an April Fool's joke about two or three years ago.