Sports cars might not be a money-making segment as compared to SUVs but that doesn’t stop some carmakers from developing an exciting performance car just to bring some excitement to the brand. If rumours from Japan are to believe, we might see a spiritual successor to the Toyota MR2.
Best Car Web has just published a scoop that a new Toyota mid-engine sports car is currently under development in collaboration with Suzuki and Daihatsu. Both brands have a strong rivalry in the small car market but it seems that they would be putting their animosity aside for this new sports car project.
The Japanese automotive publication reported that this new sports car would combine Suzuki’s and Daihatsu’s small car expertise with Toyota’s TNGA platform. The platform would see new development while making use of the Yaris TNGA-B’s front suspension.
Also read: Review: Toyota GR Yaris – Drive this, and the Golf R or A35 becomes a distant memory
Suzuki is reportedly in charge of engine development which could utilise mild hybrid technology. The likely engine candidate could be a reworked turbocharged 996-cc 3-cylinder (99 PS/150 Nm) engine that is currently used on the Suzuki XBee. The targeted power output is reportedly bumped up to 120 PS and 196 Nm.
Being a sports car, the Toyota-Daihatsu-Suzuki collaboration could very well be rear-wheel drive and would be offered with two transmissions – a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic.
Also read: Here’s why the manual transmission still matters
Meanwhile, Daihatsu could be responsible for shaping this new sports car or at least coming up with accessories. Best Car Web reported that the new sports car could utilise the same interchangeable body panels as the Daihatsu Copen.
Also read: All 1,000 units of the Daihatsu Copen 20th Anniversary Edition were sold out in 5 days!
| Dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Rumoured Toyota-Daihatsu-Suzuki sports car |
Toyota MR-S (SW30) |
| Length (mm) | 4,200 | 3,886 |
| Width (mm) | 1,720 | 1,694 |
| Height (mm) | 1,220 | 1,240 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,550 | 2,451 |
According to Best Car Web, the new sports car could measure 4,200 mm in length which is longer than the SW30 Toyota MR-S and could weigh 1,000 kg. It is estimated to be priced between JPY 2.2 million to 2.8 million (~RM 72k-92k) though it is uncertain when the jointly developed sports car is planned to be launched but don’t expect it to be a GR model.
Also read: Toyota quashes dreams of new Celica and MR2 – confirms no more GR model, GR86 is last
Source: Scoop: Toyota, Daihatsu, and Suzuki to develop 1.0-litre mild-hybrid mid-engine sports car