Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Toyoda says Lexus LF-A on time and headed for America, reconfirms Toyobaru]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/06/report-toyoda-says-lexus-lf-a-on-time-and-headed-for-america-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/06/report-toyoda-says-lexus-lf-a-on-time-and-headed-for-america-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/06/report-toyoda-says-lexus-lf-a-on-time-and-headed-for-america-r/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lexus LF-A Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery

There's a new sheriff in town at Toyota, and he's wasting no time in making his presence felt at the World's Largest Automaker. Fortunately, that finally means a return to building fun-to-drive cars after years of offering virtually nothing to tempt the enthusiast market. We can only hope that some of that sporting DNA finds its way into the rest of the automaker's staid lineup as well.

"The severe drop in the economy and auto market has created some of the most challenging times Toyota has ever faced," says new Toyota Prez Akio Toyoda. "I aim to take us back to what made Toyota successful for many years - making high-quality products at an affordable price."

According to Toyoda, two of the most eagerly anticipated (non-hybrid) vehicles from Toyota in years are moving ahead at full steam. First of all, the seemingly forever-delayed Lexus LF-A sportscar is back on track and headed Stateside. Secondly, Toyoda reconfirmed earlier reports that the planned affordable sportscar made in partnership with Subaru is on its way within the next few years. Finally, change we can believe in!


Gallery: Lexus LF-A Concept


[Source: Wall Street Journal - Sub. Req'd]

REPORT: Toyoda says Lexus LF-A on time and headed for America, reconfirms Toyobaru originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The rumors of the sports car that Toyota and Subaru were working on have been replaced by rumors that the car has been put on hold. Earlier news had posited a rear-wheel-drive sports car with "wonderful style," based on the current Subaru Legacy platform, with a boxer engine putting out around 200 hp through a six-speed manual. Originally due in 2011, now, according to Nikkei, the car has been pushed back to at least 2012. If things get worse before they get better, we have a feeling that 2012 will also come and go without Toyota fielding another dedicated sports car entrant. So move along, folks, there's nothing to see here, please return to your Camrys and cue up Queen: another one bites the dust...

[Source: Bloomberg]

Report: Toyobaru delayed until 2012 or later originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fuji heavy industriesFujiHeavyIndustriesjapanrumormillsports carSportsCarsubarusubaru sports carsubaru toyotaSubaruSportsCarSubaruToyotatoyotatoyota sports carToyotaSportsCarMon, 22 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: Next-gen Scion tC will be Subaru-co-developed RWD coupe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/11/rumormill-next-gen-scion-tc-will-be-subaru-co-developed-rwd-cou/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/11/rumormill-next-gen-scion-tc-will-be-subaru-co-developed-rwd-cou/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/11/rumormill-next-gen-scion-tc-will-be-subaru-co-developed-rwd-cou/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Carscoop is reporting that Toyota has finally confirmed what many have long suspected: The next Scion tC will be a variant of the upcoming Subaru-Toyota rear-wheel-drive coupe project. At a press conference back in April, Toyota CEO Katsuaki Watanabe had confirmed that his company was jointly developing a pair of rear-wheel-drive sports cars with Subaru. Each brand would get its own version of the car, which would each be powered by one of Subaru's boxer engines.

It looks like that powerplant will be around 2.0L in size and put out around 200 horsepower. Based on an all-new RWD platform, the affordable coupe should show up Stateside by the end of 2010, or possibly early 2011. That new tC will probably be joined by a version of the iQ minicar in Scion dealerships as well, also according to Carscoop's Toyota insiders. A reborn, rebadged Celica and a Smart-fighter could be a compelling pair for Toyota's youth brand. As always, we'll keep you posted.

[Source: Carscoop]

Rumormill: Next-gen Scion tC will be Subaru-co-developed RWD coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At a press conference in Japan today, Toyota CEO Katsuaki Watanabe finally confirmed that his company is jointly developing a pair of rear-wheel-drive sports cars with Subaru. Each brand will get its own version of the car, which will be powered by one of Subaru's boxer engines, though the engine's displacement, power output and even number of cylinders is not yet known. We're also not sure if the Subaru version will feature the brand's trademark all-wheel-drive system either as an option or standard equipment, or whether Toyota might offer AWD as well in an homage to the Celica GT4 (we hope so!). The styling will most likely resemble the sketch that was published by Autocar yesterday, though we don't expect one car to be a rebadged version of the other. Mark your calendars for 2011, which is when the new sports cars are scheduled to arrive. They'll be riding on a brand new platform and be built in Japan at a new plant by Fuji Heavy Industries, the parent company of Subaru. Toyota also confirmed rumors this morning that it will be buying up more of Fuji, raising its stake in the company from 8.7% to 16.5%.

These RWD sports cars will mean a lot for both companies, as Subaru hasn't offered a performance coupe since the slightly odd SVX, and Toyota all but abandoned performance models after the Supra, Celica and MR2 were cancelled.

[Source: Automotive News, Autocar]

Toyota/Subaru RWD sports car confirmed for 2011 with boxer engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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