Toyota turns to forum for input on new sports car
Photo: David Guimaraes
If you're an automaker and want to tap into the knowledge base of your most fervent fans, what better place to go for input than one of the many model-specific forums on the 'Net. Supposedly, that's exactly what happened over at Club4AG.
The site's founder, Moto Miwa, has been in contact with one of the chief engineers tasked by Toyota to begin developing the oft-rumored sports car that's been making the rounds on the Web. The unnamed engineer worked on the original AE86 Corolla, along with a host of other projects including the 2nd generation Prius. While Toyota's ubiquitous hybrid isn't what anyone would consider sporty, the man behind its development, who's now working on the coupe, is apparently quite the petrolhead.
In preparation for a meeting with Toyota's engineer, Miwa asked the Club4AG crew with what they want the new coupe to come equipped. Naturally, the consensus involved repeated pleas for something lightweight, rear-wheel-drive, a DOHC four-cylinder that trades big power for responsiveness, and a chassis and engine that's designed for modification.
Here's hoping that Miwa's Man on the Inside heeds the advice and brings an entertaining whip to those of us with shallow pockets and a penchant for wrenching.
[Source: Club4AG via Winding Road]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Ferg 2:38PM (2/20/2008)
It is about time that the car companies listened to the consumers for what they want. Message boards help get the ideas of the enthusiasts for the development of a new car. The problem lies in where to go to get opinions of your basic buyers. Someday car companies will learn that you need to listen to your customer and produce a car that looks good.... just because it is a "hybrid" doesn't mean it has to look like pure junk (ie. Prius).
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John Johnson 2:37PM (2/20/2008)
I'd agree with all of those, particularly LIGHT and RWD. I'd say an all-aluminum NA I6 would be good (turbo would be better) - but it has to feel like it's ready to rev to infinity rpms.
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MixiM 3:52PM (2/20/2008)
a standard fitted LSD!!!!
naggs 4:04PM (2/20/2008)
the cost, size and weight make a 6 cyl prohibitive epically considering that toyota does not have a 6 that makes less than 250 hp. if the car is done right, 150 hp will be plenty to have fun and 200 will be will be enough to embarrass most "sports cars"
besides, isn't this going to get a flat 4 subaru engine?
broosewee 2:39PM (2/20/2008)
"Naturally, the consensus involved repeated pleas for something lightweight, rear-wheel-drive, a DOHC four-cylinder that trades big power for responsiveness, and a chassis and engine that's designed for modification."
That's all we need Toyota, that's all we need! :-D
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mike 9:54PM (2/20/2008)
I want a bio-diesel-hybrid with great fuel economy, but excellent handling and brakes, great aerodynamics, and top speed computer controlled to max at 80 mph.
papercutninja 2:43PM (2/20/2008)
Can we add SMALL to that list too? Compare the current Civic to the old CVCC. Even more recently, the xB and the xD. We don't need it to be bigger!!
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iSpec 2:45PM (2/20/2008)
Interesting Toyota is finally realizing they need a rwd light coupe that's a 4-banger. I wonder if the well-received Genesis coupe had anything to do with Toyota finally getting one on the drawing board.
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psarhjinian 7:26AM (2/21/2008)
Toyota had one. It was called the MR2. Cheapest mid-engine, rear-drive car you could get. Ostensibly handled better than a Miata.
Didn't sell.
bob sakamano 2:45PM (2/20/2008)
is this the same method they used to get input to write the movie "snakes on a plane?"
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Franz 2:52PM (2/20/2008)
I hope they listen to what people are saying. A proper AE86 replacement is way overdue. Lightweight, rwd with a screaming 4 banger... yeah, they'd sell a bunch of those for sure! The sport compact class needs something other than fwd.
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Frylock350 2:55PM (2/20/2008)
Ever hear of EVO or STi? They aren't FWD. Neither are Solstice, Sky, or Miata though I don't know how you'd class them.
Franz 3:18PM (2/20/2008)
The Evo and STi are hardly in the same class as an AE86 relacement, Frylock350. Have I ever heard of them? You're kidding right? As of this writing, my Evo IX SE is belting out 509hp. As for the Miata and Solstice, 2 seat roadsters are hardly in the same class. Read all of a person's post before you go attacking it.
MemphisNET 3:58PM (2/20/2008)
There's also the issue of cost, and the STi and Evo are still out of the intended target audience (price range).
Light, RWD, 4cyl with or without forced induction, easy to work on...
Size/weight might be an issue only because of safety standards.
tanooki2003 4:08PM (2/20/2008)
Frylock you seriously need some education. You can't put a mix of 4 cylinder cars from totally different classes into 1 bucket. Open up your brain man.
From our understanding people here are talking about something that falls in the same class as a classic Ford Probe, 1st & 2nd Gen Mitsubishi Eclipse, Mitsubishi Starion/Chrysler Conquest, Dodge Daytona, Toyota Celica, and of course the AE86 Toyota Corolla. Basically a compact 2 door sports coupe but with RWD or AWD and a turbo 4 banger.
naggs 4:43PM (2/20/2008)
awd is for people who suck at driving and convertibles are for girls
TwinTurbo3000GT 5:56PM (2/20/2008)
naggs; yes, becasue rally drivers totally suck at driving...AWD > RWD in every way.
I agree though that it should be RWD, but i dont see why they should neccesarily go with an I4 engine when they have the blueprints for a fantastic I6 that has all the "street cred" and performance anyone could ask for. They should at least offer the I6 as an option. Hell, they might as well revive the supra name, being that they have no sports cars to speak of in their current line up.
Nick 3:04PM (2/20/2008)
The SKY and Solstice are hardly "sport compacts", they're entirely impractical roadsters. The MX-5 is slightly more practical, but it's still a roadster. We really don't need another roadster out there, considering there's no alternatives for the coupe-lovers.
As for the STI and Evo, they're AWD, which is different enough from RWD that they might as well be FWD. They're also heavy, 4-doors, and fairly ugly.
Mark S 3:01PM (2/20/2008)
After watching Cerberus piss on the plans (relevant dog reference) for the Dodge Demon, this might initiate my defection from Mopar.
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All American Dude XX 3:03PM (2/20/2008)
if you want mod friendly it's got to be turbo...please turbo...3sgte comes to mind =)...instant horsepower from an ecu flash, tbe and a cai...yummmm
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