- Toyota and Subaru plan to formally unveil their versions of the jointly developed "Toyobaru" sports coupe in December at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show.
- Production of the Subaru coupe starts in spring 2012, with U.S. sales to begin soon after.
- Toyota will market its version of the car in North America as the Scion FR-S.
TOKYO — Toyota and Subaru plan to formally unveil their versions of the jointly developed "Toyobaru" in December at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show. While Toyota will market its version of the new boxer-engined, rear-drive sports coupe in North America next year as the Scion FR-S, the Subaru 2.0-liter coupe is slated to begin production in spring 2012, with U.S. sales to begin soon after.
The car's production launch comes nearly four years after the program was announced in April 2008. Since then, several prototypes have been displayed at international auto shows, with the FR-S unveiled last month at the 2011 New York Auto Show, following the March introduction of its sibling, the Toyota FT-86 II, at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show. Also in Geneva, Subaru showed a transparent concept detailing the car's boxer engine, rear-drive architecture and suspension.
Although Subaru has made all-wheel drive an integral part of its brand DNA, the sports car is built on a unique rear-wheel-drive platform, and Japanese sources familiar with the program say there are no plans for an AWD version, as per Subaru's iconic Impreza WRX STI. Nor is a turbocharged version of Subaru's latest high-revving 2.0-liter four-cylinder flat-4 envisioned, since the whole concept of the coupe is decidedly Old School.
The Toyobaru aspires to be a 2012 reboot of the original born-to-drift AE86 Corolla. Under the joint development program, Toyota is handling product planning and design, while Subaru is in charge of development and production. There will effectively be one model for both companies, with yet-to-be-defined styling differences to set them apart.
Beyond the coupe, there has been considerable speculation that further developments are planned — a convertible, for instance, though sources in Japan also talk of a compact sedan to target the BMW 1 Series.
The motivating force behind this compact rear-drive sports-car program (as well as the Lexus LFA) is Toyota boss Akio Toyoda, an unashamed auto enthusiast who loves high-speed driving. Along with other Toyota engineers, he has wanted to do a new AE86 Corolla for years.
Subaru, in turn, is immensely proud of its latest-generation boxer engine, and the program at last gives it the chance to do a meaningful collaboration, after previous ill-advised attempts with General Motors, notably the Impreza-based Saab 9-2X (derided by critics as the "Saabaru") and the stillborn Tribeca-based 9-6X, fell flat.
Inside Line says: Without a doubt, Japan's most eagerly awaited new car. — Peter Nunn, Contributor
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easym1 says:
01:12 PM, 11/09/2011
I hope that they put their designers together and design a better looking car. They need to come up with a wow factor. Just imagine, a great looking reliable car from Japan!
awd_ftw says:
01:08 PM, 05/31/2011
1) This car should not be compared to a muscle car. Comparing it to a Mustang, Camaro or even the Genesis Coupe is comparing apples to oranges. This car is about the steering wheel not the loud pedal.
2) I love my WRX and it's AWD, but this coupe would be ruined with AWD.
3) As fuel gets more and more expensive, I can see this class of car becoming popular with the enthusiast crowd.
4) I'd love to try one of these at an auto-x.
viss1 says:
06:55 AM, 05/19/2011
blurglide wrote:
"To those complaining about lack of AWD, or suggesting it be offered later: LOOK AT WHERE THE ENGINE IS!!
That engine is laying on the floor, between to slightly behind the front wheels, unlike hanging out in front of the front wheels, and mounted higher, as in the imprezza. This car should have a VERY low CG, and very good weight-distribution. Handling should be amazing if they can get BMW-esque steering feel. Putting the engine there precludes AWD, but should make for an amazing car."
CG is important, but even more important in this car is the reduced weight of the 2WD-only solution. If AWD was engineered into the platform, even cars that didn't have it would be heavier due to the unused space for extra axles and components.
Weight will make or break this car.
dgmail says:
03:09 AM, 05/19/2011
All of the ugliness of a subaru and all of the recalls of a toyota.
Great combonation.
lolz1970 says:
03:12 PM, 05/18/2011
i can already see the threads starting in forums: "swapping subaru STI engine into my toyobaru?"
jscion says:
12:42 PM, 05/18/2011
Subaru is making a big mistake by not offering this car in all-wheel drive. The 2.0L engine sounds like it will be just fine. I don't understand exactly what kind of engine people expect in a $25K compact coupe!?!?!
blackdynamite0 says:
12:00 PM, 05/18/2011
It will have 200 HP, not 210HP
I expect slightly BETTER numbers than this MR2 Turbo put up in 1995 for MT, considering the fact the FRS should be 2-300lbs lighter, and $5k less expensive:
Drivetrain: Mid engine, rear drive
Curb weight, lb: 2888
Engine: 2.0-liter DOHC turbocharged I-4, 4 valves/cylinder
Horsepower, hp @ rpm, SAE net: 200 @ 6000
Torque, lb-ft @ rpm, SAE net: 200 @ 3200
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Acceleration, 0-60 mph, sec: 6.2
Standing quarter mile, sec/mph: 14.8/93.5
Braking, 60-0, feet: 107
Handling, lateral acceleration, g: 0.94
Slalom, 600-ft, mph: 69.2
Functional price: $30,475
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sports/112_9507_virtual_velocity/toyota_mr2_turbo.html#ixzz1MjRdeVVo
BD
compressor says:
11:46 AM, 05/18/2011
The miata is a blast with about 170 hp and a weight around 2500 lbs. There is no reason this will not be just as much fun with "only" 210 hp. More isn't needed unless you race numbers.
lions208487 says:
11:45 AM, 05/18/2011
If it's under 25 K, good buy Civic SI, and if it's at least 210 HP at under 3K pounds, then this should be a real winner. I love my 09 Legacy GT, but I wouldn't mind trading it in for this future possability.
compressor says:
11:43 AM, 05/18/2011
blurglide,
THANK YOU! I don't know why people don't see what is the best feature of the car. Its not its hp, its the drivetrain design. Pretty amazing how flat it is.
And, under 250 hp AWD is not needed anyway.