Rear-drive ‘Toyobaru’ glimpse
April 11, 2008 by George Skentzos
Combine the efficiency and cost effectiveness of Toyota with the performance and pedigree of Subaru, and the result is sure to be the next era of low-cost, uncompromising sports cars.
Whilst it has already been revealed that the two brands are collaborating to produce a budget sports model, latest reports reveal each manufacturer will have its own variation on the design.
The final design is due to be approved by July, with production set for 2010. At the moment the only insight into what it could look like is provided in this purportedly official sketch.
The car’s design brief is simple, light weight, rear drive, powerful and most importantly – cheap.
Both marques will utilise Subaru’s 2.0-litre boxer engine, developing at least 130kW in naturally aspirated guise, with the potential for a flagship turbocharged model at a later date.
Reinvigorating the soul of the AE86 Sprinter, the new model will be derived from a smaller and lighter Impreza chassis, minus Subaru’s trademark all-wheel drive system.
However reports speculate that pending success of the new model it could lead to the rebirth of a modern Toyota Celica GT4, with Subaru’s 2.5-litre turbo boxer and all-wheel drive.
Price? Best estimates put the new model on Japanese roads for as little as AUD$21,200.
A drop top edition could also serve as Toyota’s answer to the Mazda MX-5.
Source: AutoCar.co.uk
Print it: 
I never said that TP and I thought I cleared that up for you; you brain must resemble swiss cheese. Well this is the point where the blog descends; TP and Dingo and other geniuses (this guy above me) manifest themselves en masse. Reminds me of those ugly malformed fish you find when u get super deep into the ocean.
not you naughtius your a champion, the other tool.
Dingo: what do you mean by “I am confident that TMC will once again inject passion into the brand..”
Don’t you mean that they will start to inject passion into the brand? – as it’s a entirely new concept for them
And I am not including Lexus as that is a seperate company I am just referring to Toyota
Dingo=TP?
For all the resources Toyota has at it’s disposal they certainly produce a lame lineup.
Maximus – i accept your critism towards Toyota’s F1 team but in thier defence they have run competitive races this year (so far) in recognition of thier effort. It takes guts just to be there let alone achieve acceptable results.
Wheelnut – Many years ago Toyota exhibited alot of passion in thier fleet with recognisable units such as the MR2 Turbo, Celica GT4, Supra and Soarer which were all good units and still talked about today.
Unfortunately – Toyota dropped out of performance cars and motorsport in pursuit of the the ‘big bucks’ and actually achieved that very goal by becoming the worlds most efficient, profitable and wealthiest automotive manufactuer but at the cost of sporting recognition.
However… today – after relising thier mistake, Toyota is making solid grounds of regaining that lost spirit with a variety of performance vehicles emerging from TRD, Toyota & Lexus while thier Motorsport events are certainly beginnning to return solid results.
Regardless of past critism – TMC has invested considerable resources in re-inventing itself where performance cars and motorsport is concerned and i believe we are witnessing the ‘next generation’ of Toyota’s sporting passion albeit much work and race podiums need to be achieved yet. That said – judging by Toyota’s recent achievements … i have confidance they are on thier way of achieveing those goals.
Realcars – i dispute your comment… they are at the beginning of producing a good lineup with the best still under ‘engineering’ and to come in the near future.
The Lexus IS-F has already been released in most of the worlds major markets with good reception while we will see it ‘Down Under’ about October/November this year. That said – TRD Oz has made a good start dispite some critism.
Apart from that, Toyota Motorsport has been going really well this year.
REALCARS,
Got hand it to you mate, couldnt put in any better and ya calling a spade a spade!
DINGO,
But reality is with all the supposed skills you Toyotomoto lovers go on with you is superior at Toyota you think would automatically mean success. And if you think some success your pleading and dreaming about with Toyota then what will you say next…..Mark Webber is our best driver ever or he is having a great year! LOL, you believe something and becomes true is your philosophy!
Are we going to clean up posts in Toyota articles as well? This is where most of the crap is taking place
am i reading this right?
TP has just voted himself off!!!!!!!
Like really….really how dam riotously funny are you TP!
Lets hope Toyota dont butcher the Subaru range of cars as they are quite amazing looking.
FOOTNOTE: Iam at a loss that there are bugger all Taxis around as they really have it easy as most hassles occur at startup…that is funny as! Skinny tyres too play there role too, maybe the Sub cross Toyota can have a decent set of tyres!
did toyo buy baru AFTER the production of the latest wrx?
i reckon they must have seen it, thought, “how boring is that thing to look at” …. ” we must have it!!”
:p
NM – not sure wht you are trying to say.
Between TRD, Toyota, Lexus and alliance with Subaru – they are producing a variety of sports and performance cars for the market while Toyota Motorsport actvities are off to a solid start in ‘08. I think because of Toyota’s engineering capacity is why they are beginning to achieve results injecting spirit back into the brand after neglecting passion for many years when they retired the MR2 Turbo, Celica GT4, Supra and Soarer.
NM are you saying that most engine wear doesnt occur on start up? (I hope you didnt mean that, or else your really are dumber then I thought)
DINGO states…”after neglecting passion for many years when they retired the MR2 Turbo, Celica GT4, Supra and Soarer”
NM response…takes getting in bed with Subaru to strip the cardigan and safari suit off. Like really agree as I liked the MR2 when it was sold as it was stunningly hot! Something lacking in current range offering by Toyota.
Footnote: seen a Mazda 6 today from up close and for all you wallies out there who say it looks like a Camry, or bland……………give yourself a Reg Reagan uppercut as the car is cute as and a tad in front of Mondeo on look and style. Lined up against Aurion / Camry……lol as one word comes to mind – SHYTE! The Mazda 6 is stunningly hot and it has me hooked heaps. Style and poise and that wally TP saying the rear lights look bad….your too silly to warrant a comment as looks stunning the tailights. Unlike you TOYOTA PULLERS I can call a spade a spade and love cars and not one brand! Come outta the closet and help yourself to reality as you will go blind on your boring cars! I will leave you with this poser scenario….go back to MR2 mid 1990’s and in my opinion that look and style shytes all over current look and style of Toyota’s!
At start up it is vital to warm motor up you goose as Iam always doing that…..you got to admit lots of kms is the test and Toyota is where on the best test of all for a taxi???? Ford has that sewn up as they make LPG only factory installed motors…you do know now that it is made on Ford production line and others send off there production line. Cant believe you had trouble registering that a while back as you did prove you missed that basic fact.
**********************PRIMO****************************
Just wanna see my signature cue
Cheers
NM
….I will leave you with this poser scenario>>>>go back to MR2 mid 1990’s and in my opinion that look and style shytes all over current look and style of Toyota’s!
Are you thick NM? I havent said one bad thing about the Mazda 6 RE looks, in fact Ive already said I saw one and it looks great. But just abit better then Mondeo? HA! Shytes all over that ugly Mondeo.
Nm you essentially claimed most engine wear doesnt occur at start up. Your a goose. 80% of wear is at start up because the oil is thicker when cold, and takes some say up to 2 minutes to circulate throughout the entire engine. That means, you have metal on metal for a period. It dwarfs the effect of stop start traffic, because at least during this period the engines parts are well lubricated. N e way simply a Taxi has more continious driving and are serviced well, they aint an eg of reliability.. apart from fact Toyotas are in middle east, harsher environment, so that argument is totally pointless
Targa Tasmania starts tomorrow and TRD Australia / Neil Bates Racing have entered 2 TRD Aurions into the event.
The car driven by Neil Bates is a specially modified race version and will be gunning for a top 15 finish while not ruling out a possible top 10.
The second car will be be driven by fellow TRD driver Simon Bates but is a near production version of the regular TRD Aurion and will be driven at a less competive pace as Simon Evans will be hosting a variety of celebrities as co-drivers during the 6 day event.
For more imformation visit the TRD Australia website.
Let the race begin …
Cheers
Dingo !!
Quote [Dingo]: Many years ago Toyota exhibited alot of passion in thier fleet with recognisable units such as the MR2 Turbo, Celica GT4, Supra and Soarer which were all good units and still talked about today.
Aahh yes but are they talked about in a positive or negative light? that is the word Celica-MR2 [for example]is mentioned what do most people think of…
Do they think of an awesome sports car with excellent performance handling; etc or a car which has a dreadful sounding engine; soft suspension; faulty wiring; dodgy gearbox; terrible driving position and expensive repaiors & maintenance..
Whereas most people when they hear the name Charger Camaro Monaro GT or Mustang think of the iconic performance sports cars of the past [all of which have a racing heritage] with classic lines; sweet sounding engines; good brakes; firm suspension and are easy to fix
**********************PRIMO****************************
TP,
Dont you get it dumbo, I early stated “Iam at a loss that there are bugger all Taxis around as they really have it easy as most hassles occur at startup…that is funny as!” What Iam heading towards is why do Taxi drivers not drive Toyota’s. Its common sense that start up is vital in a car, it is also vital that many kms do test a cars reliability. Further, you said the rear lights look crudy on Mazda 6 and commented about front headlights being poor as not high quality (think you said non-xenon) and others said it looks like a Camry. I agree the Mazda 6 shytes all over a Mondeo…..and both of these are ahead on look and style over Aurion! I have seen Mondeo’s getting around a lot and they are in front of Aurion as it will age better!
Cheers
NM
….I will leave you with this poser scenario>>>>go back to MR2 mid 1990’s and in my opinion that look and style shytes all over current look and style of Toyota’s!
Realcars is obviously intrigued… Ive never seen so many posts in a Toyota related thread.
Also Subaru cars are definitely higher priced than your Toyota vehicle, so I dont understand the comparison between their cars, the “worthy” Subarus are all 35K+, heck even 55K+. Basically.. its in between a Toyota and Lexus price range, and bang for your buck?. I like Subaru, but past WRXs were 55K+ and their Liberty’s are around 60K also. I dont even see a Toyota branded car close to that market…. well the last gen Celica was around 45~50K, over priced I agree. Before that the MR2 GTs (1991~1998) Turbos, were around 55~60K, but were very good performers (Japan spec anyways)
As I said before, people bagging Toyota for bland cars just wait 2 years.
Again, people dissing on why Toyota did the “conservative” approach… its the best tactical move for the automotive industry, just look at the red ink other high volume manufacturers are in… some of you just plain see it from a driver point of view, which is fair enough. But try to understand that from the company point of view…. profit is more important
Also about sports cars… again let me break it down, the simple marketing logic here…
So they had 2 options..
[A] Listen to “young” car enthusiasts who CANNOT even afford brand new sports coupes, most of you people (me too) are second hand owners. Still doesnt increase sales much.
[B] Wait and develop an affordable sports car for the young…. ?
So again, why are the same young people here hating on Toyota for finally offering a sporty coupe that you can afford to buy brand new???
Its hypocritical… illogical…
It’ll be around 30K Oz AUD, since in OZ, automatically ripped off period… in US and Japan, I’ve heard 15-17K which is the same price as Camry over there/here. Camry in Oz starts 28K… so my predicted 30K price range isnt far off.
Also people here saying Toyota to ruin Subaru…
err.. what?
Back when Subaru was making very very few models…
Toyota was making classic such as the Sprinter AE86, Celica Supra, Supra MK III, Supra MK IV (JZA), MR2 GT, Celica GT4, Chaser, Aristo, Soarer Twin Turbo, Soarer V8, Caldina GT4, Corolla GT etc..
Obviously people saying Toyota doesnt know performance… Don’t know jack sh1t about performance cars period… just posers…young posers…
Currently yes, the lineup is lacking, heck we engineers know it and cry about it, but what can you do eh… its all part of the phase…
Again…. when Toyota was kicking butt in WRC, LeMans, Japan GTs… producing classic RWDs…..Subaru was just starting to make their mark…
So if anything, Subaru will learn from Toyota… and again I get sick of saying it.. but I will again, this “bland” phase is temporary…. people just dont get how market research work…
TP Says:
April 11th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I wander what consumers are moving towards… small powerful cars (ie AE86) or petrol guzzling, unreliable & in efficient XR8/SS’
NM response….your stupid then I thought as in real world anything above a 6cylinder is guzzler! Love how you ignore Aurion, Landcruiser, TRD Aurion or Camry. Yet Falcon review states was getting 9litres/100kms. Does Camry / Aurion return that in real world…..close but no cigar! I wander y ewe carnt spel (all wayys) properlee as ewe ace bean two uni and talke yaself upp?
On the highway i achieve roughly 7.8 ltrs and a combined cycle of about 10.2 ltrs and that is real world driving in my Aurion sx6 and it’s also a beatiful car to drive may i add and much more pleasant to own then a Commodore or Falcon.
The Ford post mentioned 9litres….so assume it was mixed driving – so jury out as guess in unreal auto it will shade better Camry / Aurion!
For those who are interested … go to the ‘Toyota Racing Development (TRD) Australia’ website for some good reading about local and international Toyota Motorsport events.
So far the 2 TRD Aurions participating in Targa Tasmania have lapped good times and better then originally expected.
So far, so good with with solid runs from Neil Bates in car #960 and Simon Evans in #929.