Toyota MR-S V-edition Final Version
With production of Toyota's seventh generation Celica having ended in 2006, and with its stable-mate the MR-S (MR2) currently coming to the end of its tenure in Japan with a limited run of 1000 "V-edition Final Version" models, Toyota's vehicle line-up is currently void of any entry level sports cars, with the notable exception of the Scion tC in the North American market.
However, this paucity of sports-orientated product, which seemingly runs counter to the image Toyota is trying to promote with its strong presence in Formula 1, is rumoured to be in the process of being rectified, with plans currently afoot to introduce successors to both of Toyota's legendary entry-level sports cars, the Celica and the MR2, both of which are scheduled to debut in 2009 at the very earliest. However, while the new Celica is expected to be a natural evolution of earlier models, duly adhering to the sporting philosophy of its predecessors, the MR2, although maintaining its guise as an open-top vehicle, will move away from its origins as a driver-focused, mid-engined sports car, to become a slightly softer introductory open-top sports car, aimed at a much wider target audience.
The 7th Generation Celica
The new Celica, at 4420mm in length, 1785mm in width, 1415mm in height, and with a wheelbase of 2700mm, is dimensionally very similar to Scion's current tC, making the probability of the new Celica sharing its platform with the next generation of the tC relatively high. Meanwhile, it is expected that the new Celica will be offered with a choice of two petrol engines: a normally aspirated 2.4litre (2AZ-FE), and a newly developed 2.5litre 4 cylinder DOHC Turbo unit equipped with valvetronic, and producing 300bhp. These engines are likely to be coupled to the next generation of Toyota's SMT, sequential manual transmission, although it is also anticipated that a standard six-speed manual transmission will also be on offer.
With the current third generation MR2 (MR-S) approaching the end of its life after eight years of service, it appears that plans are already progressing at Toyota with regards to a replacement. However, with a change in approach for the new model duly seeing the MR2 shift from enthusiast-orientated mid-engined roadster to more populist, user-friendly open-top sports car, mating a four-seater layout with a retractable metal roof, it seems more than likely that the new model will be released under a new moniker to reflect this shift. Indeed, with MR2 denoting "Mid-ship Runabout 2 Seater" and the new model lacking both a mid-ship engine layout and a two-seater configuration, further scrutiny thus suggests that the MR2 nomenclature stands only the slimmest of chances of finding its way onto the rear of the new model. This new entry-level open-top sports car will be aimed primarily at the North American market, and it is currently anticipated that the new vehicle will share its underpinnings with the Japanese market Mark X sports saloon, duly placing the new car's dimensions at somewhere in the region of: 4450mm(length), 1780mm(width), 1380mm(height), and 2730mm (wheelbase). The new four-seater open-top sports car is also expected to share its 2.5litre V6 powerplant with the base model Mark X, which should endow Toyota's entry level sports car with approximately 230bhp. Prices are anticipated to be somewhere in the region of 2,800,000 to 3,000,000 Yen ($23,500 - 25,000).
Toyota's Mark X Sports Saloon - The Basis for Toyota's Entry Level Open-top Sports Car?
With both of these new Toyota sports cars not scheduled for release until at least 2009, fans of Toyota's more reasonably priced sporty offerings may be in for something of a wait, while Toyota must bide its time before reaping the benefits of the sporting kudos bestowed upon it through its involvement in F1.
0 comments:
Post a Comment