Toyota/Subaru Lightweight Sports Car The Details!

A few weeks ago on September 3rd, Daily Car Newspaper (Japan) reported on an interview with Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe and his announcement of a joint Toyota-Subaru ‘Entry Level Sports Car’ which is underway and in it’s initial development phase, with a test mule spotted on a test course at Toyota’s headquarters in Toyota City.

he test mule is actually still very early in it’s development and in its experimental stage being based on a shortened Subaru Legacy chassis and running a SOHC 2.0L flat-four engine. Best Car isn’t aware of any wheelbase measurements at this time, but going by reports the test mule chassis is around 200mm shorter than it’s Legacy donor platform. The Legacy underpinnings are for experimental purposes only as the new Toyota Lightweight Sports Car will actually be based on a shortened Impreza 15S platform which is better suited to a smaller 1.5 - 2.0L (flat-four) engine and has ‘rear wheel drive friendly’ double wishbone rear suspension. The test mule is in very early stages with the car running the aforementioned 2.0L SOHC engine and a 4WD driveline (without front drive shafts) so it isn’t undergoing any serious performance driving tests at this point in time. Apparently Toyota has the ability to have this new lightweight sports car ready and on the market by the end of next year… if only they were so inclined. Instead, a lot of effort is being put into getting the most performance while keeping the retail price below 2,000,000 yen.


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chuck717 - 9/26/2007 5:35:13 PM

+4 Boost

Nice looker, now i want to see a top down look and these two companies putting a nice price point on it and they got a winner.

SoSnootySo - 9/26/2007 5:51:39 PM

+1 Boost

Maybe Subaru can learn how to mate ch their exceptional engineering skills with some decent design skills. Anyone actually like the B9? At least the wagon version of the WRX looks nicer than the sedan.

TehShibbs - 9/26/2007 8:09:21 PM

+1 Boost

Subaru's design was a heck of a lot more inspired before they made the new WRX look like a conglomerate of every car out there.

Star - 9/26/2007 7:27:02 PM

-6 Boost

A sports car that has the front end of a Yaris? What are they smoking at Toyota headquarters?

TehShibbs - 9/26/2007 7:44:38 PM

+4 Boost

I rike it.

r_driver04 - 9/27/2007 12:15:19 PM

+1 Boost

Rokie dokie Scooby Doo.

Airliner - 9/26/2007 8:38:03 PM

+1 Boost

Would this be like the Celica RWD we all prayed for years over??

Alec - 9/26/2007 10:06:38 PM

+1 Boost

Would anyone consider just a bit that it looks some where like a new Scion tC with the xD grille?

Bring back the Celica GT4!

EnnNorak - 9/27/2007 12:39:11 AM

0 Boost

What's going on here? A collaboration -- is Toyota planning to acquire Subaru?

Airliner - 9/27/2007 2:29:43 AM

0 Boost

My dear EnnNorak, I hope not. Lets not get that ball rolling.

Kinger - 9/27/2007 8:35:48 AM

+2 Boost

Toyota owns 10% of Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries.

montyz81 - 9/27/2007 6:54:48 AM

+1 Boost

Looks like an Altima coupe to me!

vman1013 - 9/27/2007 8:39:42 AM

+1 Boost

Altima Coupe or stretch Scion tC!

Corsis - 9/27/2007 11:52:43 AM

+2 Boost

Looks fine. All that matters is Lightweight, RWD, Subaru flat 4 engine. Oh and cheap. Car will be a lot of fun.

07mcs - 9/27/2007 1:06:33 PM

+1 Boost

good point, the design fits quite well for a cheap, fun car.

r_driver04 - 9/27/2007 12:16:01 PM

+1 Boost

Look fwd to seeing it.

DieselRules - 9/28/2007 1:58:20 AM

0 Boost

Wow! a Mazda Civic coupe!
how original.
Civic outline with CX-7/9 fenders.
I guess they didn't have a budget for designers..........
but then, with a Toyota name on it you don't need a good design to sell.