Autoblog

Supra successor may be all-electric sourced from Tesla; MR2 returning too?

Chris Tutor — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Toyota, Tesla, Electric

Rumors of a revival of the Toyota Supra and MR2 have been swirling for years right up until just this week when high-level Toyota employees all but confirmed their return.

But now The Detroit Bureau has put together news from different sources suggesting that the next Supra might be all electric. The report cites recent comments from Toyota senior executives hinting at plans to work with Tesla on a new joint project. The FT-HS Concept (shown above) seems a logical inspiration for a new Supra.

And on the other side of the equation is Tesla's design chief Franz von Holzhausen who was quoted last year saying his company was looking at its next project, probably a sports car, that would follow next year's intro of the Model X. He went on to suggest the car would compete directly with BMW's 3 Series, which, in coupe form, could be a worthy competitor to a Supra as well.

Such a sporty, up-market car could easily take advantage of the Model S platform while the electric drivetrain would fit with what Toyota's chief engineer Tetsuya Tada says is an effort to balance a green image with products that offer "driving fun."

Last week, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the company was already working on "a few other variants of the Model S" that would be "pretty exciting."

Toyota's Tada says there's no target date for introduction of either a Supra or MR2, but he would expect development to take up to five years to engineer the pair and for the Supra to take priority over the MR2.

Supra successor may be all-electric sourced from Tesla; MR2 returning too? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota planning Supra, MR2 successors within five years?

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Toyota

Every sighting of a MkIV Toyota Supra compels a wistful pause and the rhetorical query, "Ah, Toyota... what happened?" The FT-HS concept has been adorning auto show plinths since 2007, taking rumblings of a Supra successor everywhere it went. Last December, four years of hoping out loud led to Motor Trend reporting a Supra return with a 3.5-liter V6, perhaps to be ready in 2015. For any chance of that happening, the Toyota GT 86/Scion FR-S needed to do well.

Seven months later Toyota's little 300-horsepower coupe is still accelerating enthusiast hearts, and in May of this year MT added hybrid mechanicals, 400 horsepower, a CVT from the Lexus RX and a $60,000 price to its earlier report of a Supra redux.

A new report in Asia One doesn't divulge details, but does make it appear that a new Supra is inevitable: at a European event for the FR-S, chief engineer Tetsuya Tada said, "The president (Akio Toyoda) has asked me to make a successor to the Supra as soon as possible." This could be revisionist history, but the larger plan according to Tada has been that the GT 86/FR-S is the middle child in Toyota's sports car strategy, with a lower-tier entry like a new MR2 and an upper-tier entry like the Supra on the company's mind since the beginning.

According to the engineer, reasoning for the sports car push is that Toyota needs to add "driving fun" to its green-car credentials, and it needs to create a stronger bond with buyers that continues beyond the dealership. Tada said both new sports cars would take at least five years to develop and Asia One predicts that the Supra (or whatever it's eventually called) will come first, but Tada gave no indication of where it stands in the development process and he doesn't know when they'll be ready. We're of the opinion that tomorrow isn't too soon.

Toyota planning Supra, MR2 successors within five years? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Nov 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Supra successor back in the cards?

Zach Bowman — Fri, 04 May 2012 11:14:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Toyota, Rumormill

Motor Trend reports Toyota may have plans to resurrect the Supra name, or at least a new sports coupe to fill the role of the long-dead two door. Hot on the heels of sports cars like the Lexus LFA and Scion FR-S, designers are reportedly working on dusting off the 2007 FT-HS Concept for another go at life. Paired with the company's GRMN MRS prototype chassis, the vehicle will likely deliver up to 400 horsepower from a 3.5-liter V6 engine and an electric motor.

If the notion of a hybrid Supra is enough to ruffle your feathers, you may want to stop reading right now. Unlike the previous sports coupe, the new model will make use of an all-wheel-drive system. Still reading? MT reports the machine will put power to all four wheels via a CVT pulled from the Lexus RX.

That noise? It's the sound of a lonely sad trombone echoing down the halls of the internet.

Of course, all of this seems to be little more than a few educated guesses stuck together. Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda has voiced his support for a Supra successor in the past, and if green-lit, the model could see production by 2015. Early guesses say the car would bow with a $60,000 price tag, which would make for a perfect argument against sticking a new NSX in your garage.

Toyota Supra successor back in the cards? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 May 2012 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Supra rumors continue with 400-hp hybrid power

Jeff Sabatini — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Toyota, Rumormill

Have we told you how badly we want a reboot of the Toyota Supra? One of the iconic cars of Gen X youth, the Supra died an untimely death in the mid-1990s along with the rest of the Japanese sports car market. This was, of course, long before most of us had managed to graduate from college and get decent enough jobs to be able to afford anything more exciting than a used Honda Civic.

So yes, we hang on every word out of Japan, and the latest comes via Motor Trend. It's reporting that a hybrid, 400-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 powertrain is being tested for possible release in 2015. The new Supra would look a lot like the FT-HS concept that Toyota showed at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show, according to the magazine, which also says that if we really want to see this Supra successor, we'd better hope the Toyota GT 86/Scion FR-S does well.

Toyota Supra rumors continue with 400-hp hybrid power originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota considering Supra successor and sub-86 sports car

Zach Bowman — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:03:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Subaru, Toyota

Toyota is flush with buzz surrounding the company's new 86 sports car, and that could translate into additional performance models if the vehicle's chief engineer has anything to say about it. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Tetsuya Tada, the mind that brought the Toyota 86 to life, believes there's room in the stable for two additional sports cars. Tada is quoted as saying that while the 86 is a mid-sized sports car, he'd like to see one vehicle positioned below the boxer-powered coupe as well as an additional model slotted higher in the lineup.

The latter machine could potentially be a successor to the Supra, complete with a high-horsepower engine and rear wheel drive. Like the 86, that vehicle would be another collaborative project between Toyota and Subaru. Unfortunately, Tada is quick to say that nothing has been decided as of yet. Keep your fingers crossed.

Toyota considering Supra successor and sub-86 sports car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kenneth Moen drifts a hillclimb with his bonkers Toyota Supra turbo

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Etc., Videos, Toyota

Nothing incinerates a perfectly good set of tires better than a drift car. And no drift car makes as much smoke as Kenneth Moen's turbocharged Toyota Supra. Yes, Ken Block turns out some great videos with high production values and plenty of tail-wagging craziness... but wait 'til you get a load of this.

Moen pointed his battle-scarred Supra in the general direction of 'up' at the Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jumping Arena in Lillehammer, Norway, a facility you may recall from the 1994 Winter Olympics. Smoke-filled antics ensued, and it was all captured on video for your viewing pleasure.

If you fancy yourself a fan of drifting insanity, do yourself a favor and watch the video after the break.

Continue reading Kenneth Moen drifts a hillclimb with his bonkers Toyota Supra turbo

Kenneth Moen drifts a hillclimb with his bonkers Toyota Supra turbo originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quick Brick: Classic Volvo 240 Wagon races an M5

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Wagon, Videos, Volvo

The Volvo 240 - and in particular, the five-door version known to fanatics as the 245 - is a certified classic. Its boxy shape, well-earned reputation for safety and cult status among collectors means this Swedish Brick will forever be on our radar as a memorable machine. And, for what its worth, this author owned a gold example for a number of years.

If there's one thing the 245 is not known for, it's speed. Sure, you could get a turbocharged version of Volvo's ubiquitous B-series "Redblock" four cylinder, but that really only made the brick acceptable. For some real speed, some enthusiasts turn to classic American V8s. Others, like the man behind the menacing subject of the video pasted after the break, look a bit further outside the box (pun sadly intended).

Specifically, we're honing in on an old Volvo wagon fitted with a 2JZ-GTE engine that was likely lifted from a twin-turbocharged Toyota Supra. With dual-overhead cams, four valves per cylinder and an air-to-air intercooler, this inline six is known to tuners as a beast just waiting to be unleashed. And in this case, the Volvo-bodied beast is preying on an unsuspecting BMW M5 sedan. See the action in the video after the break.

Continue reading Quick Brick: Classic Volvo 240 Wagon races an M5

Quick Brick: Classic Volvo 240 Wagon races an M5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Should Toyota's rumored Supra revival look like this?

Zach Bowman — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Toyota, Rumormill, Design/Style

The rumormill is churning full blast at the thought of a resurrected Toyota Supra, and while we don't have any more reliable information on whether or not Toyota will reintroduce the high-horsepower sports car, we have been treated to a rendering of what the vehicle might look like.

Artist Andreas Fougner took the time to stretch his skills over the notion of a Supra successor, and the result is the machine you see above. Fougner says that he drew his inspiration from both current and vintage Toyota models, as well as other vehicles that have made the jump from past to present while skipping a generation or two.

What's under the hood? Fougner hasn't bothered with specifics, though he did say that the modern Supra would need to be light and nimble, despite the vehicle's portly past, and that it should come with a high-revving, naturally aspirated beating heart. Forced induction would also be acceptable.

As for us, we wouldn't mind seeing a torque-happy straight six under that long hood, so long as it puts power to the rear wheels via an honest-to-God manual gearbox.

Should Toyota's rumored Supra revival look like this? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota coupe range expanding with Supra successor, CT200h coupe, LFA Tokyo edition

Noah Joseph — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Tokyo Motor Show, Lexus, Toyota, Rumormill

Toyota was once an automaker known for its two-door sportscars and coupes. There was the Celica. There was the Supra. There was the Lexus SC. But while those have all long since departed, the Japanese auto giant is clawing its way back to the territory it once owned.

The Lexus LFA is one heck of a first salvo, and the FT-86 is around the corner. There's a world of space between those models, though, and according to the latest reports, Toyota is planning to fill that space, too.

Rumor has it that, while not officially sanctioned, a team of engineers is working on a rear-drive successor to the Supra, though where the project stands and what future it may have remain big question marks. A second front-drive luxury hybrid coupe is also tipped to be in the works from Lexus, adopting much of its underpinnings from the CT200h.

Before those arrive, though, we look upwards to the LFA. The convertible version has reportedly been postponed if not axed entirely, but word has it that a special edition is to be presented at and named for the Tokyo Motor Show. The model would reportedly be distinguished by bare carbon-fiber panels for the roof and spoiler and a significant price premium over the stock model.

Toyota coupe range expanding with Supra successor, CT200h coupe, LFA Tokyo edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota teases FT-86 II concept for Geneva

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Toyota

Subaru has already confirmed that it's sports car being jointly developed with Toyota is coming to the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Now Toyota is getting into the action by announcing today that its version of the jointly developed sports car, the FT-86, will be there... and it will be an evolution of the concept shown back in 2009 at the Tokyo Motor Show. The updated version is called the Toyota FT-86 II and promises to be our clearest view yet of what the production vehicle will look like.

Toyota is also going so far as to say that the FT-86 II will prove the automaker has a "reborn passion for sports car driving." If the FT-86 II can evoke memories of Celicas, Supras and even a hint of the legendary 2000GT, then we say build it as fast as you can.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota teases FT-86 II concept for Geneva

Toyota teases FT-86 II concept for Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota secures trademark for Supra name

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Toyota

Toyota FT-HS Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

What's in a name? Well now, that'd depend on the name, wouldn't it? For instance, while both are sporty cars from Ford, there's a big difference to Blue Oval fans when discussing the merits of the Ford Mustang versus the Ford Probe. When talk turns to Toyota, the name that conjures up the most memories in the hearts and minds of enthusiasts is 'Supra.'

Despite all this, the Japanese automaker inexplicably let its trademark for the iconic Supra moniker pass by in 2006. Luckily, nobody tried to punish Toyota by trying to snap up the name, and now the chance is over. According to Car and Driver, Toyota has reapplied for the trademark on the Supra name, and now has three years to make use of it.

This revelation just so happens to coincide with reports that Toyota president Akio Toyoda wants "to see the next Supra tested in the near future." Kinda makes you wonder, doesn't it? We're thinking that it's unlikely that Toyota would use the Supra name for its long-anticipated FT-86 revival, so we'll of course be keeping our ears to the ground for any sportscar news coming out of Japan.

Gallery: Toyota FT-HS Concept

[Source: Car and Driver]

Report: Toyota secures trademark for Supra name originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill (again): Toyota working on MR2, Supra successor

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Toyota

Toyota FT-HS Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Knowing how long it takes to get a car from clean-sheet to showroom, we have a tough time believing that automakers can simply turn new car programs on and off seemingly every quarter. The rumor is back, at least in Autocar, that Toyota is working on a new MR2 and a hybrid Supra. A cursory glance through the Autoblog archives has found no less than eight stories on the return and demise and return of the Supra, going back to 2006 (here, here, here, here, here, here and here).

The latest "evidence" is that with hybrid sales on the upswing, the idea of a V6 hybrid sports car makes sense. Again. However, it's being developed alongside the FT-86, a car that appears to be resurrected only so that it can be delayed. The most recent date for seeing either car is 2013.

It's suggested that the MR2 will get a 1.5-liter hybrid, following the template of the popular-in-Japan Honda CRZ. According to the report, though, the MR2 "is the pet project of Hiromu Naruse, Toyota's chief test driver." Sadly, Naruse died this week while testing another one of his pet projects, the Lexus LFA. Being only in the stage of a "pet project" and having lost its leader, the only truth about a new MR2 might be that it's on hold again. Or maybe not - stay tuned next week when we announce the new RX-7 and NSX are officially a go...

Gallery: Toyota FT-HS Concept

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill (again): Toyota working on MR2, Supra successor originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota FT-86 concept gets a family-style welcome

Chris Paukert — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Toyota

Toyota FT-86 Sports Concept - click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota Motor Co. president Akio Toyoda has stressed that his family's company must work to create more emotionally engaging products as part of its bid to reinvent its now-battered image. Central to that effort will be the production version of its well-received FT-86 Sports Concept, the two-door rear-driver that made its European debut at this week's Geneva Motor Show, where it drew quite a crowd.

Toyota now appears to be pushing its brand's enthusiast heritage, something it hasn't truly done with fresh products in some time - at least not outside of its Lexus brand. In any case, the Japanese automaker has just released a series of new photos, including a family portrait of sorts that places the FT-86 in the context of the Corolla AE86 (its most obvious spiritual predecessor) as well as the Celica and Supra. Although the press release available after the jump pays lip service to the MR2, none is pictured.

While there is no substantive new information about a production timetable for the comely coupe, Toyota has released a series of images of the FT-86 that are certainly worth perusing. You can check them out below while you're waiting for more info about the car's future.

Gallery: Toyota FT-86 Sports Concept 'Family Portrait'

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota FT-86 concept gets a family-style welcome

Toyota FT-86 concept gets a family-style welcome originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Toyota's Jim Lentz confirms FT-86 (not Supra) coming to America

Noah Joseph — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Videos, Toyota

Toyota FT-86 Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

We're used to seeing Digg boosting our stories, but once in a while the popular user-voted news site generates some original content of its own. This time, a Digg correspondent got 30 minutes of camera time with Jim Lentz, who, as President and COO of Toyota Motor Sales USA, very well might be the busiest man in America right now. Lentz fielded a series of questions - mostly related to the recall - submitted by users and voted (or Dugg) into the list. But one of them had little to do with the recall at all; it had to do with sportscars.

The question was whether Toyota had any plans, after years without any real sportscar offerings in North America, to bring back the Supra or offer a new affordable sportscar. Lentz's answer, as you can see in the video segment after the jump, was enlightening. The short of it was that the Supra won't be brought back to these shores, but the FT-86 will.

From that we can surmise a few things. First of all, the final production version of the concept will not be called the Supra. Secondly, the FT-86 - or whatever it's called when it comes to market - will be considerably more affordable than the Supra was. And finally, the FT-86 will be coming to North America. So there you have it. But don't take our word for it - we've posted the pertinent excerpt after the jump, along with the full 28-minute video below it.

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Toyota FT-86 Concept

[Source: Digg via FT86club.com]

Continue reading Video: Toyota's Jim Lentz confirms FT-86 (not Supra) coming to America

Video: Toyota's Jim Lentz confirms FT-86 (not Supra) coming to America originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Toyota Supra HV-R GT hybrid coming to LeMans

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Toyota, Racing

Toyota Supra HV-R GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota's pulled out of F1, but that doesn't mean the company has lost its will to win with cutting edge tech. Rumors suggest it's dusting off the underpinnings of the Hybrid Supra HV-R it used to win the Tokkachi 24-Hour race two years ago, and staring at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a glint in its eye.

The Supra HV-R used a 473-horsepower V8 that gets help from regenerative braking, a quick-charging capacitor, and three additional electric motors: two in the front wheels, one in the back of the car. Toyota would need to upgrade the tech, prep the car for the GT1 class, and test it, so a 2012 race entry is hypothesized were such a thing to happen.

As far as we're concerned, anything that could lead to bringing back a Supra -- even if only in race trim to begin with -- is all right with us. Especially one with 473 horses, gobs of torque and a date with the Mulsanne straight. Toyota, please do this...

Gallery: Denso SARD Supra HV-R

[Source: Autocar]

REPORT: Toyota Supra HV-R GT hybrid coming to LeMans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Second That Emotion: Toyobaru re-confirmed for Tokyo Motor Show?

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Subaru, Toyota

As recently as February, the Toyota/Subaru sports car was declared dead, a week later it was back on, a few weeks after that there were rumblings that it would be at this year's Tokyo Motor Show. Japan's Best Car magazine is apparently reporting that the little car will definitely be revealed in Japan. The news makes some sense, as this year's show will be well down on foreign automaker participation, so it's reasonable that local makers will want to take advantage of the dedicated attention to their wares.

Assuming the Toyobaru does show up, it will supposedly sit alongside the production Lexus LF-A and the hybrid 2011 Toyota Supra concept. Now if we could just make sure there's a new NSX there...

[Source: 4WheelsNews | Image: Best Car]

Second That Emotion: Toyobaru re-confirmed for Tokyo Motor Show? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Toyota's hybrid Supra successor on track for 2011

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Green, Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota

Toyota FT-HS Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery

With all the rumors and anticipation surrounding Toyota's joint venture with Subaru to produce a front-engine, rear-wheel drive coupe, the automaker's Supra successor has been put on the news cycle's back-burner. However, according to a report by Best Car, development has continued in earnest since the FT-HS Hybrid Sports Car Concept debuted at the Detroit Auto Show in 2007 and a prototype will supposedly begin making the rounds later this year.

Although the FT-HS was originally due to arrive in 2009, the Toyobaru's parallel development and market conditions have pushed back the introduction of a Supra-successor until 2011. When it hits, expect two versions to be available: a traditional gas-powered model, likely fitted with a 3.5-liter V6, and a hybrid "Sports" variant packing the GS450h's 2GR-VSE 3.5-liter V6 mated to the JDM Crown Hybrid's electric drive system and cranking out around 400 hp to the rear wheels. If Best Car's report is to be believed, we could see the next iteration of the FT-HS concept at the Tokyo Motor Show this November, with the production model debuting sometime in 2010 before its on-sale date the following year.

Gallery: Toyota FT-HS Concept

[Source: Best Car via 7Tune]

REPORT: Toyota's hybrid Supra successor on track for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Supra is DOA, FJ Cruiser won't be refreshed, more hybrids on the way

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:35:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Sedan, Green, Crossover, Toyota

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Toyota FT-HS concept.

A report by Automotive News detailing Toyota's future products reveals that the automaker's focus will be realigned to meet new fuel efficiency standards and limiting high-powered and niche offerings.

On the hybrid side, the new Prius will debut in Detroit, with sales beginning in the spring of 2009 as a 2010 model. The nickel-metal hydride battery will remain, and because of that, the plug-in model will be delayed until a lithium ion battery is offered. The new Prius will be packing the Corolla's 1.8-liter four cylinder and the car will be an inch wider and a half-inch longer. The second hybrid model might not come to Detroit, but development is currently under way and sales will be limited to Japan.

The Supra revival has been shelved due to high mpg requirements, allowing Toyota to focus on its RWD coupe, jointly developed by Subaru. Also, there's only room for one body-on-frame SUV from the automaker, so the 4Runner will be re-engineered for the 2010 model year, will debut in either New York or Chicago, and the FJ Cruiser will complete its lifecycle and be dropped in the next few years.

The Sienna and Venza will be equipped with hybrid drivetrains in 2012, with the Sienna receiving a facelift late next year, along with more cargo space and room for third-row occupants.

The report goes on to state that the Corolla will be redesigned in 2013, along with the Matrix, the next Camry will receive a facelift in 2010, with the new model debuting in 2012, and the new Avalon will debut in 2011 as a 2012 model.

Gallery: Toyota FT-HS Concept

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Toyota Supra is DOA, FJ Cruiser won't be refreshed, more hybrids on the way originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top Secret's V12 Supra heading to Nardo for top speed run

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Performance, Japan, Toyota

There have been a fair number of tuners that have made the trek to the Nardo test track in Italy to see if their modified rides could break an illustrious top speed. The MTM Bimoto TT comes to mind, as does AC Schnitzer's GP3.10 3-series, Edo Competition's Lamborghini LP640 and 9ff's insane GT9. Another contender has been added to the list and it's just as impressive as the rest.

Top Secret has been making the show rounds with its twin-turbo'd V12 Supra for the past year, but it's finally putting its money where its mouth is and going for a top speed of 400 km/h (248 mph) later this year in Italy. Breaching 200 km/h hasn't been an issue since the boosted 6.0-liter V12 is supposedly pushing out over 1,000 hp.

You can read up on Kazuhiko "Smoky" Nagata's golden boy here and check a Japanese-language video of the Supra after the jump.

[Source: Kulitivate, Photo by Bulletproof Automotive]

Continue reading Top Secret's V12 Supra heading to Nardo for top speed run

Top Secret's V12 Supra heading to Nardo for top speed run originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More signs of an impending Toyota sports car

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:05:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Toyota

Toyota did so well for so long with its sports cars and sporty cars that it's a wonder they gave up the market. Now it seems they're asking themselves the same question. Kazuo Okamoto, executive VP of R&D, said the company wants to try sports cars again, citing the need to build "more appealing products" with a dash more "fun to drive" factored in.

Now that the MR2 is officially retired, it is difficult to believe that Toyota will leave its sports car cred (and cash) on the table for Lexus to mop up. While not admitting any concrete plans to build such a car, Toyota's been teasing folks with the FT-HS since it was revealed at Detroit earlier this year. If they actually do turn it into a Supra -- and a hybrid one at that -- we, for one, would be delighted to see something slow down the Camry-ization of Toyota's lineup.

[Source: Auto Week]

More signs of an impending Toyota sports car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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