with the already successful FT86 and upcoming FT-1...

[cdrazic93]

Will there be a possability toyota might bring back the MR2? Or would that clash with the 86? I see it being similarly priced as one, but a two seater T top aimed at the miata.

[WesleyG]

I doubt it........

[hmong337]

I don't see it happening unfortunately

[tyrantcf]

I can't see that happening unless they end up making it in a much higher price bracket than the 86.

I don't think any major car maker has two small/light/cheap sports cars, and I'm assuming that's for a reason.

[serialk11r]

They mentioned that there is going to be a car "above" the 86 (FT-1/Supra), and a car below it in price. It might be possible to undercut the twins by a little; the old MR2s all had off the shelf drivetrains for the most part which saves a ton of money.

The new Corolla drivetrains are actually pretty respectable, they have the 2ZR-FAE certified for the US market now in the Corolla ECO, and they have a new 6 speed manual in the US as well. This engine is WAY cheaper than the fancy FA20 and the transverse mount transaxle is probably cheaper than the longitudinal setup the 86 has, not to mention the standard LSD adding more cost. The question is of course the chassis. The ZZW30 was 23k new, which is not that cheap, but you see Honda selling CRZs for 20k so maybe it can be done.

The biggest problem I see is that a 1.8L Corolla powered MR2 would be quite a bit slower than a Miata with its 2L DI engine, which may be an issue lol. They might be able to fix this with some high compression pistons and requiring premium fuel.

[funwheeldrive]

Is it possible that the car priced below the FRS is some kind of sporty hybrid? Kind of like the CRZ but actually fun to drive.

[BlueDubbinTDI]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

Is it possible that the car priced below the FRS is some kind of sporty hybrid? Kind of like the CRZ but actually fun to drive.

I highly doubt anything called a sporty hybrid could be priced sub $25k. There would just be too much R&D to justify the price. especially if its FWD, and then it would just flop like the CRZ did.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by BlueDubbinTDI

I highly doubt anything called a sporty hybrid could be priced sub $25k. There would just be too much R&D to justify the price. especially if its FWD, and then it would just flop like the CRZ did.

How much money does it really take to make a RWD platform though? I don't know much about the CRZ, but I guess its chassis is probably a close derivative of a Civic or Fit or Insight since the price tag is so low. But that said, the CRZ is a hair over 20k, so you have 5k breathing room to buy some extra chassis modifications to stick the engine in the back and chop some height off the car, which seems possible, even if unlikely.

Disclaimer: I constantly dream of the day a reliable Japanese midengined car comes to the market, so maybe I am not seeing reality correctly.

[Sideways&Smiling]

Toyota doesn't seem to be capable of making new sports car platforms without sharing a chassis with another company these days... Who would they be sharing it with? And what model would it be based on/shared with?

[WolfpackS2k]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

They mentioned that there is going to be a car "above" the 86 (FT-1/Supra), and a car below it in price. It might be possible to undercut the twins by a little; the old MR2s all had off the shelf drivetrains for the most part which saves a ton of money.

The new Corolla drivetrains are actually pretty respectable, they have the 2ZR-FAE certified for the US market now in the Corolla ECO, and they have a new 6 speed manual in the US as well. This engine is WAY cheaper than the fancy FA20 and the transverse mount transaxle is probably cheaper than the longitudinal setup the 86 has, not to mention the standard LSD adding more cost. The question is of course the chassis. The ZZW30 was 23k new, which is not that cheap, but you see Honda selling CRZs for 20k so maybe it can be done.

How much do you honestly think it costs to equip a car with an LSD? It's really not that much.

Anyway, seems pretty clear by the way Toyota has neglected the FRS to expect them to care at all, in the future, about affordable sportscars. I mean they're making record profits across the globe and claim they can't afford to develop sports cars on their own? Total BS.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DIM]

I remember a few years back, Toyota introduced the TES concept.

Powered by Toyota’s 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine this concept makes 109-hp, but weighs under 2,000 lbs. The car is 150-inches long and 65-inches wide, making it just over a foot shorter in length than the FT-86

[MokSpeed]

Originally Posted by Sideways&Smiling

Toyota doesn't seem to be capable of making new sports car platforms without sharing a chassis with another company these days... Who would they be sharing it with? And what model what it be based on/shared with?

Lotus!

[tahdizzle]

that would be cool

[Rampage]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

They mentioned that there is going to be a car "above" the 86 (FT-1/Supra), and a car below it in price. It might be possible to undercut the twins by a little; the old MR2s all had off the shelf drivetrains for the most part which saves a ton of money.

The new Corolla drivetrains are actually pretty respectable, they have the 2ZR-FAE certified for the US market now in the Corolla ECO, and they have a new 6 speed manual in the US as well. This engine is WAY cheaper than the fancy FA20 and the transverse mount transaxle is probably cheaper than the longitudinal setup the 86 has, not to mention the standard LSD adding more cost. The question is of course the chassis. The ZZW30 was 23k new, which is not that cheap, but you see Honda selling CRZs for 20k so maybe it can be done.

The biggest problem I see is that a 1.8L Corolla powered MR2 would be quite a bit slower than a Miata with its 2L DI engine, which may be an issue lol. They might be able to fix this with some high compression pistons and requiring premium fuel.

The SW30 was $23383 in 2000 which is over $31K now. I do not see Toyota slotting a MR2 under the FT86 pricewise. No matter what they do they will have a great deal of difficulty matching the new MX-5 in weight, price or power. Kudos to Mazda for what they are able to accomplish by staying true to form.

Besides and FT-1 is going to have no impact on FT86 sales because it will be very very expensive. A MR2 priced near the FT86 or under it will hurt the twins sales. They already have on niche vehicle in that market segment. I cannot imagine that they would build another one.

I would like to see a new generation MR2 but I am pretty sure that if they make it either I will not be able to afford it or it will be a shadow of its former self.