Call Us When It's at the Dealer: On again, off again Toyota/Subaru on... again?
Last April, Toyota and Subaru announced a joint rear-drive sports coupe for 2011, but recent economic struggles and a focus on more efficient vehicles led many to believe that the project could be delayed or even canceled. It now appears this isn't the case. Inside Line is quoting inside PR sources in Japan as saying that the project is still very much alive. The Toyobaru will utilize a new Subaru platform converted for RWD, with power coming from Subaru's 2.0L Boxer engine.
Japanese business paper Nikkei reported in December that the joint project would be delayed until 2012, but spokespeople from both companies say the project is very much on track. Plans for the new vehicle have gone through some changes, though. Under the original plan, Subaru was to build the vehicles at a new factory in Oizumi, Japan. Due to the current economic climate, the new plan is to built the Toyobaru in Subaru's existing Gunma facility.
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
mm325987 1:56PM (3/03/2009)
So now what is Toyota doing for the project?
Subaru Platform
Subaru Engine
Subaru Assembly Plant
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Richard 2:06PM (3/03/2009)
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
You know what I mean?
jgp 2:17PM (3/03/2009)
Which is just the way I like it...
If Toyota gave anything but the cash, they'd screw it up.
tekd 2:39PM (3/03/2009)
Probably a lot of the RWD converting work...Subaru isn't exactly known for RWD tech. Toyota's the company that made the Supra and still makes the IS, GS, LS, etc.
Also, Subaru's could use some interior comfort and ergonomics improvements. But then again I'm biased against their door switch designs, and the rather lousy suspension damping in the WRX. It might be a competent suspension for sports use but it's pretty unrefined. Tuning for a more Audi-ish level of suspension tune would be a real improvement, and Toyota's at least somewhat better known for that as well-the F sport version of the IS has a fantastic suspension that doesn't make you hate daily driving it while managing to handle fantastically.
oldraven 2:47PM (3/03/2009)
What's really funny is all those Toyota fanboys who ripped GM for making the Saab 9-2x wagon from the Impreza are now having random orgasms over this new 'Toyota' Sports coupe.
tekd 2:53PM (3/03/2009)
@oldraven
Toyota fanboys didn't rip GM for that...Saab lovers ripped GM for rebadging a Subaru because there was nothing Saab about the car.
And developing a car together with Subaru isn't the same as slapping the Saab label on an existing car. The Saabaru was identical the WRX except for a few lights and bumpers. There was no Saab development involved.
Luis 1:55PM (3/03/2009)
I think AutoBlog just likes the orange sketch.
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Red 1:58PM (3/03/2009)
As critical as I am, it's not a bad design. But I'd like to see it photoshopped in blue with a TRD kit on it :).
Farris 2:23PM (3/03/2009)
Red - You mean this ISN'T the TRD version? Ack... I'd hate to see what those guys would do to the body.
rooster 3:54PM (3/03/2009)
Notice how out of place the Toyota logo looks? The car is much to stylish to be a Toyota...(of course, Jaguar may have some intectual property issues with the headlight design)
Red 5:58PM (3/03/2009)
@ Farris,
Nah, the TRD kit has the giant Supra wing on the back, for nostalgic purposes. lol
MemphisNET 1:56PM (3/03/2009)
Just as the the title states, call me when it's at the dealer.
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catgirlshyla 4:32PM (3/03/2009)
Howabout call me when they decide to make a RWD Scion tC like they have in Formula D?
EB 1:59PM (3/03/2009)
Well, that's the first good news I heard all day.
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Stumpy 1:59PM (3/03/2009)
I still want one, even though I am emotionaly drained.
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Red 2:01PM (3/03/2009)
Toyota financing. Toyota gets a version of the vehicle, Subaru gets the money to build it. Perks of owning a piece of another company...you can make them do the hard work (i.e. trying to make it drive a bit less pedestrian than your typical mainstream Toyota product).
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Red 2:02PM (3/03/2009)
Ugh...comment was for mm325987. Stupid system.
Richard 2:08PM (3/03/2009)
"...trying to make it drive a bit less pedestrian than your typical mainstream Toyota product."
It's a Subaru. It'll drive like a REAL sports car and be dependable like...a Subaru.
Aki 2:12PM (3/03/2009)
Curse this rollercoaster. People will buy a light-weight RWD with a boxer engine, just keep developing it already. I just hope it has an unequal length header to give it that Suby sound.
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tekd 2:47PM (3/03/2009)
Since Toyota used to send all their sports-engine work over to Yamaha I'm now curious what would happen if they told Yamaha to go nuts on the boxer...makes me giddy just dreaming about it.