JDM News: Toyota/Subaru Compact Sports Car, Code: O86A

[letsgohunting]

As long as it's still RWD, light and relatively cheap, I'd still buy it wether it be called a celica, or a sprinter, a corolla, a hum-dinger, shitpea, poopmexican rustlehoff or anus hair scrag.

[LittleRedSpirit]

Ummmm, Corollas have always out sold Celicas. How is Celica a stronger brand? They race Corollas in WRC, just like they used to with the GT4 Celica. Corollas have had rallying and tarmac heritage, probably since they came out. Same with Celicas. If you like Celicas more, just say it.

I think most people are reading too much into it all. Has anyone contacted Toyota and asked the question?

I should point out, all the internet discussion pages have been emailed to Toyota regarding this new concept car, and forwarded to their marketing department. If you're gonna post here about how shit an idea it is, you may just discourage them from bringing out the only lightweight FR Toyota in 25 years.

Im going to remain positive on this topic, I hope it happens and I hope it happens in 2010.

[driftke70]

instead of going off the impreza/corolla range?

i wouldnt be suprised if it hit 1300.

[letsgohunting]

Both the ae86 pre productions concept and the lexus LF-A supercar are rumoured to be shown at the tokyo motor show later this year.

[todd]

Smite thy pessimist!!!!!

[Kid Karola]

The current marketing campaign in Europe is:

Today
Tomorrow
Toyota

So globally I think they are looking at different avenues ahead into future growth, despite the current "economic downturn", and as such expanding to new formats makes sense if they are going to capture a market niche* and re-invigorate interest in the brand. Like the old adage goes "you have to spend money to make money" but at this stage talk is cheap.

*FR compact sports COUPE has been overshadowed in recent times by things like SUV's and Hybrids. And with larger format sports cars falling out of favour, it's logical to think smaller. The only current small FR coupe with any cred I can think of the top of my head is the 1-Series BMW, the concept from Toyota for 086A/Celica or whatever you want to call it, will cost less than half as much and be twice as good!

[rthy]

what about MX5's for small FR
S2000? thats if they even still make em

[Vance]

^ theyre both good but both cost a fortune new

[PuGZoR]

*cough* IS250. A touch under $57,000 brand new, with a Lexus badge, in Manual. The platform is there...

[Kid Karola]

The IS250 is much bigger than the old IS200 even - is a midsize luxury sedan that's 3-Series and C-Class territory and IS weighs in at 1550kg plus (1+1/2 hachi's at that).
Besides the fact the MX5 and S2000 (production will cease June 2009) are roadsters which is different category again, they are both dated platforms S2000 now 10 years old and MX5 last revised in 2005, but is the NC as good as the original NA series? debatable.

The new Hyundai Genesis is close... but still no cigar.