Toyota's New Sports Car?

[KAMKA-Z]

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070910/FREE/70910019/1024/FREE

It describes it as filling the gap of the departed MR2 that was retired this year. It doesn't have a very mid-engine look about it to me. Maybe more like a new FR drive Celica (wishful thinking). The styling could take some getting used to. Each generation of Celica was always very cutting edge in design and I usually found them very akward looking at first, then they really grew on me.

 

[JCE]

Man, that thing is hideous. I hope they bring out a true MR2 replacement with something that's RR/MR.

 

[Rykon Zero]

RR? only if they contract porsche.

 

[JCE]

The 1st gen MR2 was PRACTICALLY RR to begin with. I know, because there's one sitting (disassembled) in my garage at the moment.

 

[Azuremen]

Its pretty close to RR, not gonna lie. And I am the forum expert on Mk1 MR2s The engine basically sits right over the rear wheels.

That aside, this article seems a bit dated in that they refer to the MR2 being canceled this year, but well, best I recall they stopped selling them in 2005. Though it does say it was last updated a few days ago.

This little quote is a nice thing to hear though

Okamoto made the comments after speaking last month about Toyota’s midterm business plan and said the company must launch more “appealing products” that are “fun to drive.” Okamoto added that the strategy will involve the “development of a new sports model.”

 

[YSSMAN]

Toyota actually wants to build a car that won't suck? Holy crap, whoever this guy is needs to make the important decisions more often!

 

[Philly]

I remember seeing that car earlier this year. Geneva maybe?

 

[Wolfe]

I'm with Azuremen on the quote.

Okamoto...said the company must launch more “appealing products” that are “fun to drive.”

 

[Casio]

Talking new Toyota Sports Cars. We just got the fairly awesome looking Toyota Aurion TRD down here.

 

[Muzaffar]

I remember seeing that car earlier this year. Geneva maybe?

That is a Toyota FH-TS isn't it? Thought it was supposed to replace the Toyota Supra?

 

[Bram Turismo]

Talking new Toyota Sports Cars. We just got the fairly awesome looking Toyota Aurion TRD down here.

I'd be totally in love with that car if they'd sell it here, that's the best looking Toyota I've seen in a loooooooong while...I'm actually impressed, by Toyota...

 

[GT Pro]

I don't what it is about the TRD Aurion, but it just looks bland; despite Toyota Aus.' attempt with a more aggressive exterior.

And $60,000AU for today's Toyotas is no attraction.

 

[V1P3R]

That looks like something I've seen before.

Toyota’s midengined MR2 dates back to 1984. It was retired this year.

this year... ?

 

[Jim Prower]

Perhaps it's the MR-S they're talking about.

That Aurion thing...is it FR? It resembles the last Ford Falcon (BA?)

 

[Casio]

That Aurion thing...is it FR? It resembles the last Ford Falcon (BA?)

We wish.

It's FF. 3.5L Supercharged.

0-62 in about 6 flat, and the quarter low 14s.

 

[Jim Prower]

Well, at least yours HAS a blower. Our 3.5s in the Camry and...and...that buick-like one....(Shows how forgettable it is, eh?) don't even have that option.

 

[Robin]

Gosh the front reminds me of an Australian Ford Falcon, actually it has a super scary resemblance! as in its identical!

 

[YSSMAN]

Talking new Toyota Sports Cars. We just got the fairly awesome looking Toyota Aurion TRD down here.

Funny thing happened on the way to the Toyota dealer...

...I drove by Holden (Pontiac), Ford, Nissan (Infiniti), Mazda and Subaru, and found better cars sitting out front.

 

[Pupik]

We wish.

It's FF. 3.5L Supercharged.

0-62 in about 6 flat, and the quarter low 14s.

But at least it's not ugly and over-designed as the geriatric-looking Camry we get.

Your Aurion may appear boy-racer-ish, but if you can put up 6.0 seconds to 60mph (or quicker), then you're forgiven, in my design book.

 

[Casio]

Funny thing happened on the way to the Toyota dealer...

...I drove by Holden (Pontiac), Ford, Nissan (Infiniti), Mazda and Subaru, and found better cars sitting out front.

Well yeah that's the thing, how many people are going to buy a 241kw FWD Camry for 61k, when next door you can buy a 270kw Commodore SS-V for 51k. Then spend 10k on a blower for the LS2 and have a machine that can actually do dough nuts and 12-13 quarters.

But at least it's a step in the right direction.

 

[Wolfe]

this year... ?

Yup.

While the MR2 Spyder was not sold after 2005 in the United States, it was offered in Japan and the United Kingdom until early 2007.