Toyota's new car era

[serialk11r]

Maybe there's talk of it, but I think as far as "sporty" goes you can't go much further downmarket than this car. In America at least I can't see anyone buying an "ultracompact" like that <1 ton concept car. Maybe in Japan.

[switchlanez]

I agree, you can't get anymore entry-level than this car if it were strictly RWD but you can if it were FWD.

Toyota actually did market a trio of cars with entry, mid, and upper level echelons not too long ago in the form of the Echo, Celica, and MR2 Spyder. Maybe not enthusiast cars but Toyota Project Genesis intended to inject excitement and spawned the Scion brand.

[[es vi: eks]]

Originally Posted by WingsofWar

small lightweight economical truck made by the Japanese with a performance offroad version on the market.

that sort of vehicle is a sure seller in my book.

Are you meaning something the size of the Subaru Brumby aka Brat or something bigger?

I would love to see another Subaru Brumby. I dont know why Subaru didnt make another new one after the Brat/ Brumby was discontinued.
They were so popular. Sold well. They are still wanted today 20 almost 20 years after they stopped making.

A Rumor I did here somewhere on Naisoc, that Subaru was thinking of using a Highlander as a replacement for the tribecca. Would have front redesigned and still use a flat 6.
But of course this was a rumor so take it with a gain of salt.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by switchlanez

I agree, you can't get anymore entry-level than this car if it were strictly RWD but you can if it were FWD.

Toyota actually did market a trio of cars with entry, mid, and upper level echelons not too long ago in the form of the Echo, Celica, and MR2 Spyder. Maybe not enthusiast cars but Toyota Project Genesis intended to inject excitement and spawned the Scion brand.

If you open up FWD then there are a lot of options IMO, no need to build a new car, just do like an XRS model. Yaris XRS? lol
Anything smaller will likely not sell very well here, having a special "city car" doesn't make economic sense.

[switchlanez]

They could do that but tacking stuff onto an existing platform will not sell in a fairly saturated FWD enthusiast market. Well, RWD was already saturated too but they developed the 86 to be revolutionary from its core so that it'd (hopefully) stand out. There's room for a game changer in FWD-guise to be done. The crown on the ITR is getting dusty. Something has to claim it eventually. Same for the Supra.

[Bristecom]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

We can discuss this without getting all hot. Mr Jay made a valid point and I was responding to a poorly worded post by Bristecom who worded such that no credit was given to Subaru in the process. I corrected that by providing truthful and objective info. Not some personal opinion.

Are you kidding me, man? I did not claim that no credit should be given to Subaru anywhere. I just pointed out the parts sourced from Toyota since Jay had claimed 100% of the car parts were Subaru which is simply untrue. Why do you think the Subaru manual requires you to use Toyota oil in the transmission if it were a Subaru part? I don't have time ATM to find the source for the Toyota column mounted EPS but if you do a Google search, I'm sure you'll find it. If you can't find it, I'll look again tonight after work.

[Gadflyii]

Originally Posted by Alias

Next gen supra, electric turbocharger, and some kind of hybrid/electric. It's all official.

It is?

I hope they do not F up the Supra.

I have owned a mkII, mkIII, and a mkIV... I really really hope they don't mess it up like Nissan did the Z.

turbo iron block, closed deck I6 or fail.

[Laika]

Has anyone else seen the Subaru XV in the media? I love this car. It's basically an outback sport but more badassery involved. Unfortunately the engine is the gutless power plant out of the impreza so I'm not sure how capable it will be once the tarmac ends.

I want scion to make a Jeep-like car out of this. I'm not sure what powerplant could be in it. Preferably the Boxer diesel but that's a loooooooong shot.

[old greg]

Originally Posted by Gadflyii

turbo iron block, closed deck I6 or fail.

Get used to disappointment then.

[madfast]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

We can discuss this without getting all hot. Mr Jay made a valid point and I was responding to a poorly worded post by Bristecom who worded such that no credit was given to Subaru in the process. I corrected that by providing truthful and objective info. Not some personal opinion.

the controversy comes from subaru saying they did 100% of the development. however, most people believe that this car is spiritually a toyota. for example, they story goes that subaru wanted no part of this car if it wasnt AWD.

next we must examine the definition of "development". subaru may have 100% developed the car in that they were the bodies doing the work. BUT the development GOALS may not necessarily be 100% subaru. for example, there is video of Toyoda-san himself driving the car. next we have Nring testing with Toyota plates. next we have Gazoo Racing testing in an actual endurance race. and the list goes on and on.

as for the manufacture of the car, that is 100% subaru. but that's not saying much. that's the same as saying my iphone is not an apple iphone, but a foxconn iphone. the parts used? a mix of both. of course they will use toyota keiretsu parts such as aisin, denso, and jtekt. but they also use subaru parts such as the suspension.

in the end, we'll never know for sure. BUT imo it seems awfully hard to believe that toyota would simply pay subaru to make a car for them and not have ANY involvement in it's development...

[Gadflyii]

Originally Posted by old greg

Get used to disappointment then.

Oh I am...

Seriously as long as they keep the Supra true to it's roots, It should be fine. Traditionally the Supra was the direct competition for the Nissan Skyline GTR, but since Nissan has taken the GTR so up-market, I don't think Toyota is going to take the Supra to the same level, to offer a 100k+ Supra will step too deeply into the Lexus market.

IMHO, It should be sub-50k, offer a 500hp+ turbo 6, be a 2+2 rwd sports coupe, with a curb weight of 3100-3300lbs.

That said what is more likely... is a sub-60k, 500hp N/A V8, 2+2 rwd sports coupe to compete with the M3, Mustang Boss, Camaro LT1, Corvette Grand Sport.

OR they will go mid-market, with a Sub-40k 400hp N/A V6 2+2 aimed at the Genesis Coupe / 370Z, Mustang/Camaro V6's, (basically just a stretched 6 cyl. frs)

In all reality unless the word "hybrid" is involved I will buy it just because I am a Supra nut.

[tripjammer]

Originally Posted by FRSDREAMER

Agreed 100%

But wouldn't you agree that would take away sells from Toyota. I know Lexus and Scion are Toyota brands so they're making money no matter what. I just don't think Toyota wants their sub brands override their Main brand.

A supra for Scion would be a great idea, but now that I think about it, I don't see 45-50k car that is under Scion's motto of "highly affordable and customizable vehicles".

In America, 45k is not by any means affordable. (To most american folks)

I personally think the FRS saved Scion from being scrapped. Their sales are not exactly the most promising.

No scion just needs a hybrid like a sportier version of the new Prius C.

The next supra will not be a $40k to $50k car. It needs to be in the 370Z price range...$30k to $40k. And it could be a Scion if the FR-S really saves Scion. But I think a Hybrid will really save Scion. They should have made the Prius C a Scion. That was a stupid move of Toyota not to do that.

Scion is Toyota, just like Lexus is Toyota.

[tripjammer]

Originally Posted by Gadflyii

It is?

I hope they do not F up the Supra.

I have owned a mkII, mkIII, and a mkIV... I really really hope they don't mess it up like Nissan did the Z.

turbo iron block, closed deck I6 or fail.

I doubt it will be a turbo iron block. Too much weight. It might not even be a turbo. Toyota don't really like turbos anymore. But everybody else seems to be moving towards turbos.

[madfast]

Originally Posted by tripjammer

No scion just needs a hybrid like a sportier version of the new Prius C.

yes! and i honestly believe they are going in that direction. the GRMN sports hybrid concepts are cool and all with a V6 in the back and electric motor out front, but that'll never make it to production. instead a prius engine stuck in the middle to make it MR, add sporty suspension and steering and done.

They should have made the Prius C a Scion. That was a stupid move of Toyota not to do that.

NO WAY! the "prius" brand is HUGE in america. in japan they can get away with calling it the Aqua. over here, hybrid = prius = sales.