AutoCar procured a sketch of the oft-rumored and all-but-confirmed lightweight coupe that's being jointly developed between Subaru and Toyota, and their sources confirm that the final design will be signed off in July. According to the Brit pub, both automakers will have their own version of the rear-wheel-drive, two-door, powered by Subaru's own 175 hp, 2.0-liter boxer engine. A 2.5-liter, turbocharged version is also being considered, which might send power to all four wheels in a nod to the historic Celica GT4. Sales are expected to begin in Japan, the UK and North America in 2010. Here's hoping they can keep it under the $20k mark when it hits U.S.shores.[Source: Autocar]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
MachinaDC5 @ Apr 9th 2008 12:03PM
Excellent news. This will absolutely sell, especially if the pricetag is kept close to 20k. Moreover, in order to compete with sales from this vehicle other car manufacturers will have to respond with similar vehicles, which would be great imo. I really really hope Toyota/Subaru can drop a sporty coupe that doesn't rely entirely on the front wheels. Subaru's been in desperate need of a coupe- perhaps the reason why such a desirable brand gets so little interest from me. The STi is wonderful, same with the Legacy GT, but for the time being I want two doors, not four, despite the qualities of these fine cars.
Brill @ Apr 9th 2008 12:36PM
+1. I really liked the WRX and STI's when i was in the market, i just wanted a coupe. i dont have the need to haul people around and i like the designs of coupes more in general.
hashiryu @ Apr 9th 2008 1:46PM
return of the STi 22b .....
wait, you guys didn't get that one did you?
naggs @ Apr 9th 2008 2:08PM
this thing is going to be awesome, i hate toyota but if this thing actually materializes, i will be instantly converted. of all the car companies to make the car that i have been waiting for, toyota (and subaru) were bringing up the bottom of the list.
i am unbelievably excited for this perfect little car.
this is going to change everything.
MKIV @ Apr 9th 2008 3:04PM
Yeah baby!!!
If this comes to a reality, Toyota will have trouble keeping them in the showroom. Calling dibs on the first one with Turbo please!!!
MachinaDC5 @ Apr 9th 2008 5:28PM
Very funny, hashiryu. Yeah, we got the GC8. Two of my friends own Impreza 2.5 RSs. Very fun little car- which is exactly what I want this new one to be. Note how light the GC8 was Subaru/Toyota!!
Seoultrain @ Apr 9th 2008 12:11PM
So I guess Subaru is allowing Toyota to swallow it whole?
mk @ Apr 9th 2008 12:14PM
I guess I am going to start saving some cash.
I seriously hope that they mean that the Toyota will be RWD, with GT4 being AWD, but that Subaru will be ALL AWD. RWD is good, but it doesn't fit Subaru.
I also hope that Toyota gets the econo-model, and that Subaru sees fit to market this coupe alongside the Impreza lineup, as a 2.5RS, WRX, and WRX STI coupe lineup.
They should ditch their ugly little impreza 4-door, let the 2.5i, 2.5GT Turbo, and Spec B turbo models handle the 4-door market, and just have impreza 5-door wagon-wannabe, and 3-door coupe that looks like the rendering here.
IF Subaru doesn't put a turbo in this thing... I'll be saving up for an STI driveline swap, after the car is out of warranty. This car BEGS for 305+ horsepower, DCCD AWD, 6-speed stick, SI-Drive, and Brembos/Bilsteins with BBS wheels.
If it weighs ~3000lbs so equipped, it will be one of the performance values of the century, and make the Genesis coupe, and the Mustang GT look like also-rans, let alone front-drivers like Eclipse that has fallen from it's Turbo AWD perch long ago.
About the only other car with that sort of power to weight ratio is looking to be the Solstice GXP Targa coupe.
"Build it, and they will come." -Field of Dreams, but applies here, too.
Seoultrain @ Apr 9th 2008 12:23PM
I'm sure subaru will make an STI version. Whether they sell it in the US is another issue (as always).
mk @ Apr 9th 2008 12:36PM
If they hold the turbo version back from the US market, like they did with the 2.5RS, not giving us the similar WRX coupe, or the 22b STI, or something like it...
If they do that, and offer this car turbocharged, but not in the US with a subaru badge,
Pissed off won't even begin to describe it... that is cruel and then some.
tankd0g @ Apr 9th 2008 6:46PM
Whoa, calm down. This is being billed at the AE86 redux, not the Supra TT redux. There's no guarantee Subaru will even do a AWD version. They need -something- to get their CAFE numbers up before it's too late.
ddrhero @ Apr 9th 2008 12:17PM
looks like a car from Burnout paradice. the Montgomery Hawker.
http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/824/824230/burnout-paradise-20071001042312497-000.jpg
dwsage @ Apr 9th 2008 12:18PM
Thank goodness! I have seriously been considering a newer car to use as a daily instead of slowly wearing out my precious AE86! Hurry up Toyota!!
Leaf @ Apr 9th 2008 12:27PM
Lots of potential there... but between Subaru and Toyota, it'll probably be one ugly baby.
mk @ Apr 9th 2008 12:32PM
That is why I hope these renderings are somewhat accurate. That is actually a passably good looking little coupe!
Maybe there is hope. Granted, I won't be putting a deposit down until I see one in the metal, though.
geo.stewart @ Apr 9th 2008 12:32PM
I agree; between Subaru looks and Toyota performance, this should be one big snoozer!
let's look at toyota performance today: Corolla, Camry, Solara, Avalon, and Yaris. yep, real performance leaders....
Subaru lookers: forester, impreza, Baja. yep, cant wait!
Za @ Apr 9th 2008 10:16PM
I guess geo.stewart has never heard of the STi or the Legacy GT?
Ligor @ Apr 9th 2008 12:31PM
based on current Toyota dan Subaru designs, I can't imagine this bing a good looking car, so hereis to hoping that when 2010 comes we don't get un ugly turd that can drive nice
Nicko @ Apr 9th 2008 12:53PM
Ahh, if only all sporty compacts could be rear-drive. Civic Si with rwd anyone?
djSyndrome @ Apr 9th 2008 1:16PM
Honda hasn't produced a RWD car with a backseat for more than 30 years. What makes you think they're going to start now?