Thursday 8th October 2015

Toyota S-FR concept for Tokyo

That's for Small, Front-engined, Rear-wheel drive - do the decent thing Toyota!

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Now this looks good. Where Nissan aims to bring young'uns into driving with the hideous Teatro for Dayz concept, Toyota wants to entire them with the S-FR. Which seems far better. According to Toyota, the S-FR is pitched as 'an entry-level model' which 'aims to make a whole new generation fall in love with driving'. This has to be better than Snapchat, doesn't it kids?

This with 150hp or so? Perfect

But even for grown ups there is plenty to be excited about with the S-FR. The engine isn't yet confirmed, but the S-FR does have a six-speed manual gearbox, plus independent suspension (presumably all-round...) and optimal weight distribution. A very good start. It's also very little at just 3,990mm long, 1,320mm tall and 1,695mm wide. For reference a Ford Fiesta is 3,969mm long, 1,495mm tall and 1,709mm wide.

Moreover, Toyota is very keen to promote the benefits of the layout, talking of the 'smooth, responsive and direct handling that gives a real sense of communication between car and driver' - sounds good to us! The GT86 - it was inevitably going to feature at some point - has proven Toyota still knows how to do excellent rear-wheel drive dynamics.

Now those with good memories will recall BMW and Toyota signing an agreement back in 2012 to co-operate on a sports car. That should sit at the top of the Toyota sports car family, followed by the GT86 and then the S-FR. Showing the S-FR in such a production-ready form - that interior looks finished from here - implies a commitment to rear-wheel drive and that BMW tie up. Good news. Can they work on an FT-1?

Hopefully more details will emerge during the Tokyo but consider us very intrigued. Perhaps not with the yellow bits inside though.

[Source: Autocar]

 

 

[Madkat]

What the new MX-5 should of looked like.

The grill is a wee bit too big though.

Edited by Madkat on Thursday 8th October 13:14

[Madkat]

Colonial said:

Complain complain complain no affordable rwd cars anymore dsg fwd complain complain complain

Along comes an affordable, manual rwd coupe.

You'd think it would make people happy. But nope. Back to whingeing and complaining.

Well said.