Welcome back to the rumormill: Toyota developing cheap RWD coupe
Back in March, Winding Road floated the idea that Toyota may be in the process of developing a rear-wheel drive vehicle in the same vein as the Corolla AE86 of the 80s. At the time, it was easy to pass it off as pure speculation. Now, the GTChannel says that its sources in the Land of the Rising Sun have also confirmed that a 2+2, front-engine, RWD vehicle is in the works and that if and when it comes to market its sticker will be "well under [$] 20k" – maybe even $16,000.Considering that the Scion brand has quickly emerged as a cost-conscious means of stylish transport, it wouldn't be hard to imagine that such a vehicle would slot in nicely within the youth-oriented marque, even if its price would make it a direct competitor to the tC. The only rub is finding a suitable platform to build the new vehicle atop, and the only RWD vehicle that could fit the bill would be the Lexus IS. Granted, the $30,000+ sports sedan's underpinnings might be a bit of a stretch (or shortening, in this case) to make a budget performance car, but the ability to cut costs via platform sharing isn't out of the question. Maybe some of the old IS's architecture could even be used.
In the meantime, we're hoping to see spy shots of a tC-bodied mule making the rounds around the 'Ring, rear-wheels a blazing and powersliding into the Carousel.
[Source: GTChannel]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
felipe 10:38AM (7/06/2007)
sweet
more rwd choices
bring'it on........
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Ryan 10:39AM (7/06/2007)
As much as I love my tC and the idea of having an affordable RWD Toyota/Scion I still like the idea of the speculated AWD V6 next-gen Corolla that I have seen making it's way around the internet a whole lot better.
I'd be very cautious too of a $16k RWD sports coupe. Something about it just sounds too cheap. If they would have said around $20k I would have felt better.
Just my two cents.
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R 10:41AM (7/06/2007)
The car in the picture reminds me of a Honda Civic. But that's just me
Looks good though.
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Todd 10:44AM (7/06/2007)
Scion Ae? Scion 86? Or Scion Tr... (ueno)?
Could be interesting. Just hope its a hatchback with enough of the originals design in it like what they did with the FJ cruiser.
My checkbook is waiting (If I decide to pass on the 135i anyway).
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Joe K. 10:50AM (7/06/2007)
"The only rub is finding a suitable platform to build the new vehicle atop, and the only RWD vehicle that could fit the bill would be the Lexus IS. Granted, the $50,000 sports sedan's underpinnings might be a bit of a stretch"
Of course the fact that it starts at $30,125 for a manual with a far more expensive powerplant and drivetrain than that of the 2.4L I4... Its plausible... Plus the IS is already set to payback any R+D and Sunk cost in the platform leaving the Yota to only have to cover marginals and any extra costs in tooling for new panels and such, not hard... Heck at $22k I'm still a buyer for a well-balanced RWD vehicle, $16k only makes it sweeter, but I'll pay $6k if the components and tech justify it...
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warsteiner89 10:50AM (7/06/2007)
I wonder if this is Toyota's answer to Hyundai's upcoming RWD coupe.
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Rene Curry 10:53AM (7/06/2007)
GM could have ruled this segment like they did with SUVs & trucks. Instead they chased premium priced RWD. Now it's getting too late, the window is closing.
I hate to say it, but Toyota will have new segment buster and this will replace all the FWD ricer cars as the vehicle to have.
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shiznannigan 9:43AM (7/07/2007)
The Solstice and Sky would like to have a word with you. No, they aren't coupes, but it brings GM a lot closer to a coupe than speculation of something built from a much more expensive platform.
And the Camaro should be starting close to 20K
Oh, and the small RWD coupe isn't a "segment Buster". It's been done before (like 1964). It's been a LONG time since Toyota's produced anything fun. They can call it a Trueno all day long, but if it drives like the tC, enthusiasts won't bite.
Rene Curry 11:03PM (7/07/2007)
To shiznannigan,
See my replies below..
"The Solstice and Sky would like to have a word with you. No, they aren't coupes, but it brings GM a lot closer to a coupe than speculation of something built from a much more expensive platform" Rene says...I don't see anyone from the GM camp throwing out any news on a small affordable 4 seater RWD coupe or sedan.
"And the Camaro should be starting close to 20K" Rene says...We will see, I would bet you will not see anything under 26K. Pricing has not been set at this time, it will mirror Mustang, it's the benchmark.
"Oh, and the small RWD coupe isn't a "segment Buster". It's been done before (like 1964). It's been a LONG time since Toyota's produced anything fun. They can call it a Trueno all day long, but if it drives like the tC, enthusiasts won't bite" Rene says...In todays world there is no low cost RWD except Mustang, and there is a segment to be created under the Mustng."
Side note: I am not an import fanboy, I would only buy a domestic. I am just pointing out that they are missing another opportunity.
MK 10:53AM (7/06/2007)
Could it be the next Celica? The current model has been around for 7 years.
I agree with #3... the car in the picture is very Civic-ish.
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Joe K. 11:04AM (7/06/2007)
there is no current celica. it went bye-bye after 05 due to the tC...
MK 11:12AM (7/06/2007)
I stand corrected.
Nick 10:56AM (7/06/2007)
I wish the rumors would just finally result in something this time... I really can't understand how the formula of an affordable, basic-equipped, RWD car is so hard to follow through with. All you have to do is look at the classifieds and see how much original AE86 Corollas are going for, and how incredibly fast they sell, and you'll have an inkling of hey maybe people want this sort of thing. Hell, you'd think even this whole drifting thing would have clued them in by now!
Give me 4-cylinders, ~180-200 horsepower, power to only the rear wheels, a 6-speed manual, ~2500 pounds, no BS interior, hatchback (and maybe offer a coupe along side it a la the AE86 again). Make it come in under $20,000, and I would be willing to bet both of my testicles that it would sell great.
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paul34 12:49PM (7/06/2007)
Doesn't the Miata, I mean, MX-5 sort of fill that slot, though? =D
Well, except the hatchback part - and the fact you really won't have much room for more than yourself ;-)
Regardless, I think it'd be interesting. However, I think it *might* make more sense to just turn the tC into this vehicle - although, at the same time, that would completely change the "touring cruiser" nature of the tC, methinks.
naggs 1:47PM (7/06/2007)
no, convertibles suck. they are more expensive, heavier, they have more body flex, they are more dangerous and they almost always look worse.
GM, its not to late to beat everyone else to the punch. put a roof on the kappa twins and redefine the segment. ford is so hopelessly behind, it will be 10 years before they have a small rwd coupe below the mustang.
chrysler should have done this YEARS ago with the razor. that is still by far the best concept car that never got produced.
mazda needs to make an mx5 coupe, the fact that they have never done that hurts my head to think about.
the s2000 should have been a coupe with the k20, it could have sold for $20-25k.
the return of the rwd economy car is about 10 years overdue and the first company on the market with something in this segment is going to be shocked by the demand. the customers have been screaming for this product for years and finally we got someones attention.
took you long enough aholes
Whatsinaname 3:14PM (7/06/2007)
Add 10hp to the 2008 VW Rabbit and you have almost exactly what you're asking for.
Nick 8:19PM (7/06/2007)
Ummm... VW Rabbit? Too bad that's FWD, which is the whole point of wanting Toyota to follow through with this, since there are no affordable fun RWD coupes/hatches out there.
doglet 1:31PM (7/09/2007)
the rabbit?
its about 500 lbs too heavy and wrong wheel drive. it is absolutly nothing like what i am talking about. nothing like what i am talking about has been sold in this country for at least 20 years
thesawzall 10:58AM (7/06/2007)
Well Toyota's a major stockholder of Subaru's parent now right? While Subaru seems to be stuck on keeping their line-up all AWD, I can't imagine why any of their platforms wouldn't work as RWD.
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geo.stewart 10:56AM (7/06/2007)
could also be the basis for the rumored scion compact pickup... would lower the cost per vehicle.
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