Toyota S-FR Concept!!

[Atmo]

Technically not what I'd call a sports car, more of a rally car, but Tada and other Toyota execs have said they're looking into a GR Corolla hatch. That would help expand their performance image across a two-seater, two-door four-seater, and four-door four-seater, all aimed at a worldwide market.

They already have something similar in the Yaris GRMN for Europe where they're benefitting from Yaris WRC success. With Corolla hatch about to debut in BTCC next month, it could happen. Trust me.

"Tetsuya Tada, chief engineer of the Toyota 86 and the upcoming Supra, says the company is still finalizing the product strategy for its GR subbrand. "We have lots of requests from different countries, so it's really, really challenging to decide on the order [of performance models]," Tada told Australian website carsales.com.au."

https://www.motortrend.com/news/toyo...exec-confirms/

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/m...has-first-test

[gymratter]

[Sasquachulator]

Originally Posted by gymratter

that's pretty neat, they're still using an SFR as a TRD brand car or whatever that group of cars is used for.

Edit: just noticed the Gran Turismo logo at the bottom left....good ol screengrab

[krayzie]

They don't seem to be phasing out TRD. Toyota just made it more confusing between GR and TRD.

Besides TRD is way cool.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG5CA1GQntQ[/ame]

[ermax]

I bet it turns out to be the MR2.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by ermax

I bet it turns out to be the MR2.

Ok, stupid questions time. Ready?
Where would a new MR2 fit into the line up? Above or below the 86? If it were below wouldn't that be the SFR? Wasn't the MR2 a "budget" sports car? How would a new MR2 be different from an 86? I'm not confident of a new MR2 being mid-engined: too much compromise.

[Irace86.2.0]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

Ok, stupid questions time. Ready?
Where would a new MR2 fit into the line up? Above or below the 86? If it were below wouldn't that be the SFR? Wasn't the MR2 a "budget" sports car? How would a new MR2 be different from an 86? I'm not confident of a new MR2 being mid-engined: too much compromise.

The MR2 turbo in 1998 was $25k, so no the 86 is not comparable. The 86 is more comparable to an AE86 of the 80’s, or a fast/expensive Corolla or a Celica of the 90’s. Back then the sports car market was more saturated and there was crossover in price so a awd turbo Celica may have been more expensive than a base MR2, and a top trim turbo MR2 might have been more expensive than base NA Supra. Similarly, a top trim Ford Escape or Flex might be more expensive than a bottom trim Flex or Explorer, respectively.

Considering Toyota is finding partners to build their cars, I don’t know who they would partner with who makes a cheap mid engine chassis. I doubt they would put the money into a one off chassis.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

.. I'm not confident of a new MR2 being mid-engined: too much compromise.

Then it wouldn't be an MR2 (the M means "Mid-Engine" or "mid-ship" depending on who you reference)

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Then it wouldn't be an MR2 (the M means "Mid-Engine" or "mid-ship" depending on who you reference)

FR2 maybe a RR2. Of course it could be a FF2 but nobody would buy one.

[ermax]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

Ok, stupid questions time. Ready?
Where would a new MR2 fit into the line up? Above or below the 86? If it were below wouldn't that be the SFR? Wasn't the MR2 a "budget" sports car? How would a new MR2 be different from an 86? I'm not confident of a new MR2 being mid-engined: too much compromise.

I think it could sell at the same price point. It would be a dramatically different car. Mid-Engine and only 2 seats. I know this concept is called a S-FR (Sports Car Front Engine RWD) but the shape of it looks more like an MR2 (Mid-Engine RWD 2 seater) and it looks like it has a large C pillar as if it would host an engine back there.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Then it wouldn't be an MR2 (the M means "Mid-Engine" or "mid-ship" depending on who you reference)

Pardon me, I worded that poorly.

I meant that because I doubt the viability of mid-engine I doubt the car would be made.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by ermax

I think it could sell at the same price point. It would be a dramatically different car. Mid-Engine and only 2 seats. I know this concept is called a S-FR (Sports Car Front Engine RWD) but the shape of it looks more like an MR2 (Mid-Engine RWD 2 seater) and it looks like it has a large C pillar as if it would host an engine back there.

But the S-FR concept is a four seater front engined car.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Irace86.2.0

Considering Toyota is finding partners to build their cars, I don’t know who they would partner with who makes a cheap mid engine chassis. I doubt they would put the money into a one off chassis.

Honda

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Honda

Yeah!! An S660 with a Synergy 2.4 liter V8!

I'm in.