Toyota considering RWD hatch to commemorate Naruse
08-10-10, 02:35 PM
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Toyota considering RWD hatch to commemorate Naruse
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/10/r...morate-naruse/
We see plenty of rumors crop up on the interwebs, but we've rarely wanted any of them to come true as badly as this particular juicy morsel. The crew at Autocar reports that Toyota wants to build a new model to honor its former chief test driver, Hiromu Naruse. Naruse recently passed away in an a collision while testing the Lexus LFA at the Nürburgring. If the whispers are true, the car won't be a badge-job for the Camry. According to reports, Naruse always wanted to see Toyota produce an inexpensive, rear-wheel drive coupe that was affordable enough for the little guys of the world to be able to hop into the driver's seat.
If you're thinking there's no way that Toyota will suddenly jump into the small rear-wheel drive market with not one, but two new products, think again. Autocar reports that the inexpensive two-door will slot below the sexy FT-86 and will be based off of the GRMN Aigo Hot Hatch Concept we saw at this year's Tokyo Auto Salon. That particular concept got its grunt from a Daihatsu 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. More importantly, it rocked a double-wishbone rear suspension and swapped its front-wheel drive layout for a rear-driven arrangement. If the rumors are to be believed, we could see the car in 2012, just slightly ahead of the FT-86.
We see plenty of rumors crop up on the interwebs, but we've rarely wanted any of them to come true as badly as this particular juicy morsel. The crew at Autocar reports that Toyota wants to build a new model to honor its former chief test driver, Hiromu Naruse. Naruse recently passed away in an a collision while testing the Lexus LFA at the Nürburgring. If the whispers are true, the car won't be a badge-job for the Camry. According to reports, Naruse always wanted to see Toyota produce an inexpensive, rear-wheel drive coupe that was affordable enough for the little guys of the world to be able to hop into the driver's seat.
If you're thinking there's no way that Toyota will suddenly jump into the small rear-wheel drive market with not one, but two new products, think again. Autocar reports that the inexpensive two-door will slot below the sexy FT-86 and will be based off of the GRMN Aigo Hot Hatch Concept we saw at this year's Tokyo Auto Salon. That particular concept got its grunt from a Daihatsu 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. More importantly, it rocked a double-wishbone rear suspension and swapped its front-wheel drive layout for a rear-driven arrangement. If the rumors are to be believed, we could see the car in 2012, just slightly ahead of the FT-86.
08-10-10, 06:49 PM
#2
Lexus Champion
On Gazoo's site, they already produced the car, and Naruse didn't ask for a large(r) budget, he wanted to keep it 'cheap' enough for anyone to afford. My bets are this thing is ready to go with a little more fine tuning and a more 'factory look' to it.
08-10-10, 09:57 PM
#7
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NY
Posts: 3,370
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trending Topics
08-10-10, 10:47 PM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: A better place
Posts: 7,285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
08-11-10, 04:17 AM
#11
Pole Position
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Carson, California currently in Makati City, PI
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Super Like and Beg down on my knees for Toyota to "PLEASE BUILD IT", this would be the Honda Jazz/Fit killer which I find here in Philippines to be overrated IMHO. Price this right in emerging markets in ASEAN and you will steal a lot of Honda fans.
08-13-10, 12:29 PM
#14
Lead Lap
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: falling back and fading...
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
This is good news. I was looking at the Fit a little while ago and would have jumped at the chance for this alternative.
Do the European and Asian markets care about RWD any more than US drivers though? I know certain demographics will eat it up for sure, but I'm really just wondering about sales figures (in order to keep RWD models available long-term). I for one would have loved this option 10-15 years ago.
Do the European and Asian markets care about RWD any more than US drivers though? I know certain demographics will eat it up for sure, but I'm really just wondering about sales figures (in order to keep RWD models available long-term). I for one would have loved this option 10-15 years ago.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Gojirra99
Car Chat
9
09-10-07 06:40 PM
