Paul
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[cough] tC [/cough]

I know everyone is going to chime in about the "new supra" ... but let's be realistic and say that to be competitive, they'll need something affordable like a new Celica or something with a little more oomph than the tC - maybe in the low to mid $20k range?

 

Just a regular tC with a decent high revving (8000rpm) 4cyl at 220hp, plus real sound deadening/insulation would do it.

 

Well, with Scion's pledge to keep models in three-year lifespans and the replacements to be completely new cars, not evolutions of the current design I think we can rule out the tC.

To really be popular the car would have to be RWD and relatively affordable. C'mon Toyota, make us EXCITED about the "T" emblem again!

 

Ya, but could a discontinued tC be bumped into Toyota production as a slightly modified model?

 

It says they are targeting BMW and Mercedes--those are not $20,000 cars. It will be interesting to see what they come up with........

 

I believe they're aiming for a higher $ range (specifically referring to Yasuda's word "Affluent").. My guesstimation would be around the $+/-35~45K region.

For me and what I believe a lot of people want is a car that has THE POTENTIAL.
Potential for what? some people might ask...

THE POTENTIAL FOR ANYTHING. (In a broad sense realistically)

Allow me to elaborate ~ If I were to put myself in the "Young & Affluent" crowd, I personally would love to have a car that can "do it all" in a sense.
I want a ride I can relatively enjoy straight from its factory form, however to stop there would not be doing "The Car" justice (in my opinion). On the same token, daily driverability is a KEY selling point for the industry which must be optimized and is completely understandable. I however mean it at both ends of the spectrum ~ from your lightly modded rides to the track ready bred beasts. There's no doubt a certain portion of the "Affluent" will keep their rides relatively stock and lovem just the way it is. I however want to know that I can take out a BMW, Benzo, Ford, Chevy, etc...... for less than what it would cost to purchase one of those, and even if it did cost more, as long as I know the Fact that I'd come out on top DAILY thats all that matters (from a performance stand point). I don't wanna car that can "keep up with another car"...

I'M GOING TO BE DRIVING A CAR THAT WILL DUST THEM.

In terms of styling & luxury, its a lot harder to put into words. Even though everyone has their own tastes, I believe the vast majority can agree one style will look & feel better than another.
I'm one that likes a sharp looking ride. One that has defining lights, vents, lines, and a shape like no other. No artificially added plain, dull, and fakeness allowed (just made up a new word "fakeness").
Even the brand name itself would need to stand out on its own ~ unique from anything before it.
Perhaps I'm dreaming a little too much, but if no one had dreams where would we ALL be.

 

they need to do something with no sports cars in the line up right now and nissan is bringing over the skyline in 2008 its priced at $70,000 though. a hybrid sports car that would be a first and with the electric motors there is no torque curve its just instantly there.

 

Take one 245hp 3.0 3GR-FSE engine, Add 2 electric motors (one per axle), one Ital design Body, with a light chassis (maybe aluminium instead of carbon fibre so it can be a little bit more affordable)

and VIOLA!!!!!



Sell for ~$35K and we're good.


n.b. the concept actually has the older 3.3 3MZ V6, i think the newer 3.0 3GR V6 would be infinitely better (more hp, tq, less fuel consumption)

 

i say bring back the celica. it needed a major overhaul and possibly a name change, added standard features to make it more of a value (ABS was optional in a sports car? and cruise control too? who wants hubcaps on a $21k car?) and it would sell. if they did the same thing they did with the tc i know it would

 

i've seen that car, its amazing but theres no way it will be close to 35k with those things in it... possibly 55 though

 

I dunno I always thought the more "affluent" crowd was Lexus territory... They need a car built around an engine that is designed purely for performance . The closest they have right now (sadly) IS the tC which is built around an engine pulled from a family sedan.

 

The tC??? Built around an engine designed purely for performance? lol.....right.
The IS has a 3.5 direct injection V6, that would be the closst you'd get, or maybe the 2ZZ engine, but that would need a very light chassis, or some form of forced induction.

 

They do need to bring back the Celica and MR2.
Maybe do something cool/retro like the domestics have been doing. A new take on an early 80's Celica might be really cool.

 

And I agree with you...I just dont see toyota selling a car for more than 40k... however, this is an almost identical system to what is found in the lexus rx400 and gs450h, I could see some costs being cut....maybe not down to the 35k level, but maybe prices lower than what 'lexii' sell at

 

I agree they need to bring back thew celica and MR-2...post haste!

I'm not into the retro thing, but the last gen celica and mr-2 were steps in the right direction and reto in their own way (lightweight, great handling). They both just needed more power, and maybe the MR-S some better looks

 

They said sports car.. so if they really are buiding for performance you can rule out fwd all together. I personally think hybrids are a complete waste of engineering resources with the advances being make in fuel cells. Fuel cells, if put on the market soon, especially if they can work out the size and cost consraints will put a bitter end to the hybrid design.. thank god. Sorry, hybrids are a LITTLE better for the environment.. and some may actually save enough money to pay off the price difference in 10 years If they would put all the research going into hybrids into fuel cell research, they would already be on the market.

But I digress.. AWD or RWD with most likely a V6 or a FI 4 banger at the least is what I would bet on... if not.. I wouldnt even consider it a sports car. And they arent marketing to scions market.. I would bet just over 30k would be what they are looking at. And finally.. the whole statement is one big "IF". Sounds more like some out of the box ideas that soomeone has.. with zero plans in the works. Would be great... but I wouldnt hold my breath waiting on it.

 

throw 4wd back in the celica. why did they do away with it anyway? the gt four (or alltrac for america)was a very nice celica and was like a poor mans supra at the time. and i agree, the mr-s was nothing special to look at. now what if toyota took the lotus elise and kinda made it their own..........

 

looks so so

 

This is the hybrid sportscar concept they have on their website.



A 3.3L V6 producing 408hp. It can drive 435 on a 13.7 gallon tank and has a 0-60 time of 4 seconds.