A New Small Sports Car on the Horizon
You may have heard that as part of strengthened corporate ties between Toyota Motor Corp. and Fuji Heavy Industries in Japan, Toyota and Subaru, which is owned by Fuji, announced plans last week to collaborate on a new small sports car.
While the market introduction for this vehicle apparently is targeted for the end of 2011, speculation on blogs, and in newspapers, already is vibrating along nicely.
A report last week in Japan's Asahi newspaper speculates that this car will be powered by one of Subaru’s flat-four engines. Other speculation suggests that it will be rear-wheel drive, that it could go on sale as early as 2011, and that it will sell for less than $20,000.
Stay tuned for updates surrounding this exciting new collaboration.
- Scott Deyager, Corporate Communications
Oh come on! "Speculation that it will be rear-wheel drive?!" Geez, it better be! Do you know how long people have been waiting for this car? Oh about twenty years! Not counting the Supra and the MR2, this will be the long anticipated return of the light, affordable, fun, RWD coupe or hatch harking all the way back from the late 80s...
At least that is the hope..., or the dream!
Posted by: The Shadow | April 23, 2008 at 09:15 AM
the rumors of a compact sports car are great and a reality of it being rear wheel drive are fantastic. Many dont understand that for those of us who drive for fun the meaning of rear wheel drive, I only hope that it is not loaded with driver inhibiting systems like VSC and ABS even if you can turn them off (well sort of turn them off). Vehicles like Supra are cool but they are heavy both on price and when driving a canyon. Look at the Corolla AE86 and its popularity even to this day, heck I cant find one for a reasonable price. I applaud this direction for a sub 20k sports car and will surely buy one even though I have a demo!
Posted by: Product Guy | May 08, 2008 at 10:54 AM
I work at a toyota dealership right next to a subaru dealership and it pains me to see people who want an entry level sports car have no options with Toyota. Bringing back the Corolla AE86 sprinter Trueno would steal the show among younger consumers who want a fast, fun ride at entry level prices along with toyota quality. I know for sure as soon as they show up on the lot I'll have my hands on one.
Posted by: Derek Simon | June 29, 2008 at 01:22 PM
I completely agree with Derek Simon in that people, especially younger people, want a lightweight, rear wheel drive, cheap, yet powerful car. I believe Toyota is losing alot of sales by not playing to that field, but is easily remedied.
Bring back the Supra!(and not some v8 or a hybrid)
Posted by: Hayhurst | September 30, 2008 at 06:25 PM
I completely agree with Hayhurst... Keep the 2JZ alive.
Posted by: T-Roy | October 20, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Great comment Hayhurst I fully agree with you
Posted by: Thrifty | October 22, 2008 at 02:32 AM