Baby FR-S Rumored to be $20,000 Rear-Drive Hatchback - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

AutoGuide.com · 02-08-2013, 05:22 AM

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Toyota is enjoying plenty of success with its new GT86/Scion FR-S sports car, but that doesn’t mean it’s getting complacent.

In fact, rumor has it that Toyota is working on a little brother to the FR-S in the form of a rear-wheel drive, five-door hatchback. It’ll be positioned as an entry-level sports car with a price tag around $20,000. At that price point, sacrifices have to be made, and in this case, this new hatch will be powered by a 1.5-liter powerplant with around 150 hp.

According to an inside source, this four-door hatch will also feature a lowered ride height and four-wheel independent suspension.

While Toyota has been forthcoming about a future vehicle tie-up between itself and BMW, the assumption was that the co-developed car would be a flagship performance machine. These new rumors suggest the contrary; indicating that this new sub-FR-S may be the love child of the Japanese-German union.

Read more about the Baby FR-S at AutoGuide.com

jarury · 02-08-2013, 01:31 PM

maybe bringing the Auris to us!? I would love it!

Camread · 02-08-2013, 03:14 PM

I hope it will weigh around 2200-2300lbs...

***Vmax2007*** · 02-08-2013, 03:36 PM

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It’ll be positioned as an entry-level sports car with a price tag around $20,000. At that price point, sacrifices have to be made, and in this case, this new hatch will be powered by a 1.5-liter powerplant with around 150 hp.

***got-rice*** · 02-08-2013, 04:56 PM

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Originally Posted by Vmax2007

Xenos · 02-08-2013, 05:31 PM

I recall telling someone just the other day that what Scion needs is to drop the xD and develop a hot hatchback car for their lineup and I even suspected they already were given that Toyota has just dropped the Matrix.

TubRog5 · 02-08-2013, 06:02 PM

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Originally Posted by AutoGuide.com

Read more about the Baby FR-S at AutoGuide.com

I hope that's not suppose to be the actual concept teaser photo because it's just a close up picture of the Corolla/Furia concept.

***got-rice*** · 02-08-2013, 06:50 PM

When the rumors of the FT86 starting developing in 2007/8, the initial thought was exactly what they were saying above...1.5L engine in a rear wheel drive car. Basically a AE86 redux, rather than the one we have today.

Xenos · 02-08-2013, 07:10 PM

One would think they could make a two door version of this future hatchback and call it a GT eighty . . . . . . . . . . naaaaaaaaaaaaa.

***Zembonez*** · 02-08-2013, 07:11 PM

A thrifty rear drive 4 cyl / 6 speed hatchback would be a blast. A perfect city cruiser.

Xenos · 02-08-2013, 07:16 PM

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Originally Posted by Zembonez

A thrifty rear drive 4 cyl / 6 speed hatchback would be a blast. A perfect city cruiser.

And it's RWD. The tuner crowd is going to go nuts with this car. If Toyota doesn't do this they've lost all their cods.

***Zembonez*** · 02-08-2013, 07:19 PM

I'm a big fan of hatchbacks. It's the one place Europe kicks our butts. They have tons of hot hatches over there.

Everybody is not a thickheaded 4000 pound over-optioned car buyer. I think the time is right for a decent RWD hatch.

Xenos · 02-08-2013, 07:23 PM

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Originally Posted by Zembonez

I'm a big fan of hatchbacks. It's the one place Europe kicks our butts. They have tons of hot hatches over there.

Everybody is not a thickheaded 4000 pound over-optioned car buyer. I think the time is right for a decent RWD hatch.

Couldn't agree more Zem. I had a Mazda 3 hatch, loved that car. Seriously considered a Subaru hatch not long ago too and aside from the craptastic transmission I really liked my Ford Focus hatch.

A good looking hatchback has always been one of my favorite cars and the the hatchback design by its very nature tends to make the car stiffer and better handled than a sedan counterpart i.e. the Focus / Mazda 3.