Reports confirm existence of Toyota/Subaru sports car
08-10-07, 08:09 AM
#1
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Reports confirm existence of Toyota/Subaru sports car
Reports confirm existence of Toyota/Subaru sports car
Posted on Friday 10 August 2007
New reports have emerged from Japan confirming that Toyota is working on a new low cost sports car scheduled to go on sale before the end of the decade and priced around two million yen (US$16,780). Toyota will build the car with help from Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru’s parent company), who the Asahi newspaper reports will be providing one of its trademark boxer engines.
Toyota bought a small 8.7% stake in Fuji back in 2005 and has since supplied it with small cars built by its Daihatsu subsidiary. This new project will see Fuji return the favor with the supply of a 2.0L horizontally opposed engine, which was chosen because of its lower center of gravity, low cost and smoothness.
Earlier reports gave some vital details about the car including its size, which is expected to be under 4m in length and 1.7m across. Final output is said to be around 120hp in a body that’ll tip the scales at just 1,000kg. The new model would be a spiritual successor to the AE86 (pictured above), which was immortalized in the anime series Initial D.
Subaru fans were initially disappointed that Toyota’s involvement would make the company boring but it looks like the opposite will be true. Considering the Toyota group has no pure sports car, this would be a good entry level model to spur more interest in the brand.
Posted on Friday 10 August 2007
New reports have emerged from Japan confirming that Toyota is working on a new low cost sports car scheduled to go on sale before the end of the decade and priced around two million yen (US$16,780). Toyota will build the car with help from Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru’s parent company), who the Asahi newspaper reports will be providing one of its trademark boxer engines.
Toyota bought a small 8.7% stake in Fuji back in 2005 and has since supplied it with small cars built by its Daihatsu subsidiary. This new project will see Fuji return the favor with the supply of a 2.0L horizontally opposed engine, which was chosen because of its lower center of gravity, low cost and smoothness.
Earlier reports gave some vital details about the car including its size, which is expected to be under 4m in length and 1.7m across. Final output is said to be around 120hp in a body that’ll tip the scales at just 1,000kg. The new model would be a spiritual successor to the AE86 (pictured above), which was immortalized in the anime series Initial D.
Subaru fans were initially disappointed that Toyota’s involvement would make the company boring but it looks like the opposite will be true. Considering the Toyota group has no pure sports car, this would be a good entry level model to spur more interest in the brand.
08-10-07, 08:45 AM
#2
I dont know about this car, I mean 120hp just does not cut it anymore. Even the Scions (except xA) have more power. Unless this car will weigh under 2,000lbs I think it will be grossly underpowered. Just my opinion though.
08-10-07, 01:42 PM
#7
Lexus Test Driver
.I am one of those who were dissapointed in the new Impreza WRX
. Theres enough styling hints to mistake it for a Corolla hatch from afar. I hope the STi makes up the aggressive styling and performance. Recent reviews I read put this car as "less hardcore than its predecessors"
.
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08-10-07, 01:44 PM
#8
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08-10-07, 01:52 PM
#9
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I wouldn't believe any of these rumours just yet. These "reports" are all over the place. First a 1.5L with 120HP, and now a 2.0L flat 4 with 120HP? A 2.0L flat 4 can achieve more than 120HP, that's for sure.
I believe that a Toyota-branded sports car *IS* coming, but I doubt the specs are going to be what this report says they are.
I believe that a Toyota-branded sports car *IS* coming, but I doubt the specs are going to be what this report says they are.
08-10-07, 02:42 PM
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Subaru has a 2.0L that they still use in Japan. Originally, the WRX was power by the 2.0L turbo which they stopped using in MY 06 in place of the 2.5L.
1999 was the last year of the 2.2L as well, which produce 145BHP at the time. With active valve i lift, Subaru shouldnt have a problem achieving 130+ hp out of a N/A 2.0L.
There are quite a few Subie fans who are dissapointed that this car will be a Toyota, however I think Subaru should focus on a larger sports car, such as the SVX which was discontinued in '97. It would certainly be marketable to males 35+ who dont want a boy racerish WRX.
1999 was the last year of the 2.2L as well, which produce 145BHP at the time. With active valve i lift, Subaru shouldnt have a problem achieving 130+ hp out of a N/A 2.0L.
There are quite a few Subie fans who are dissapointed that this car will be a Toyota, however I think Subaru should focus on a larger sports car, such as the SVX which was discontinued in '97. It would certainly be marketable to males 35+ who dont want a boy racerish WRX.
08-10-07, 04:14 PM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
Is that a picture of the car they're working on, Andrew? 
It's not ugly by any means, at least IMO, but it is hard to believe that that is a design slated for 2009....it looks more like something out of the early-mid 1980's. Toyota made a RWD two-door Corolla derivitive in the early 80's that looked almost exactly like that.
It's not ugly by any means, at least IMO, but it is hard to believe that that is a design slated for 2009....it looks more like something out of the early-mid 1980's. Toyota made a RWD two-door Corolla derivitive in the early 80's that looked almost exactly like that.
08-10-07, 04:19 PM
#12
Lexus Fanatic
Is that a picture of the car they're working on, Andrew?
It's not ugly by any means, at least IMO, but it is hard to believe that that is a design slated for 2009....it looks more like something out of the early-mid 1980's. Toyota made a RWD two-door Corolla derivitive in the early 80's that looked almost exactly like that.
It's not ugly by any means, at least IMO, but it is hard to believe that that is a design slated for 2009....it looks more like something out of the early-mid 1980's. Toyota made a RWD two-door Corolla derivitive in the early 80's that looked almost exactly like that.
08-10-07, 04:22 PM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
Well, I'm not joking when I said that a RWD Corolla two-door was made roughly 25 years ago that looked almost identical. That is not a joke...that is a fact.
But yes, now that you mention it, the article DOES mention the AE86. That slipped by me at first.....you may have got me on that one.
But yes, now that you mention it, the article DOES mention the AE86. That slipped by me at first.....you may have got me on that one.
Last edited by mmarshall; 08-10-07 at 04:25 PM.
08-10-07, 04:25 PM
#14
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08-10-07, 04:28 PM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
No, XeroKool, like I said, you got me on that one. I didn't look at the article close enough at first.
Hey....everyone makes mistakes.
I'm no exception.
Hey....everyone makes mistakes.
I'm no exception.