 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
|
Toyota NewsBelow is included the latest in rumors and news of the latest Toyota sports cars. I welcome any and all submissions. Toyota Announces new brand Toyota announces launch of Scion
For those of you keeping tabs on the Altezza, you may know that a model has just begun production in Japan called the RS200 Altezza. This car, though unlikely to be brought to the US, has an engine that sounds like an excellent fit to upgrade the power of the current model Celica. The engine, co-developed with Yamaha (yes, exactly like the 2zz-ge), is a 2.0L engine with VVTl-i pumping out 215HP. As the new Celica was designed to combat the popularity of the Integra head on... cross your fingers that Toyota will drop this engine into the seventh generation Celica. Unfortunately, Toyota has historically proven to be slow in playing
the horsepower game. This may mean that we might see more power
for the Celica as late as the next incarnation of the Celica (8th
generation?). Perhaps it may be an engine swap candidate? Those
points taken, it is not unheard of for Toyota to introduce new engines
into models mid-generation. The All-Trac/GT-4 was introduced 2 years
into the model year, as well as convertible models, to renew interest.
Expect at least 1 year of testing in Japan before the engine appears
anywhere outside of Japan.
Above is the Toyota Celica convertible Concept. Displayed two years ago rumors had the convertible appearing sometime in the 2002 model year. Nothing has come out recently on the appearance of the convertible and I doubt the convertible will appear (especially in the states) for a number of reasons:
The concept was built with little structural reinforcements usually
required in a convertible. This should amount to substantial weight
savings and is very telling of the rigidity of the Celica chassis.
Debut was at the 2001 Tokyo Motor show the Toyota FSX is rumored to possibly fill the gap that will be left by the Supra. With the Lexus SC430 filling the luxury sports car and the possible upcoming 4500GT/5000GT in the super car category Toyota may use this car as a more "affordable" sports car along Supra lines to compete with the upcoming 350Z and RX-8. The concept car has the 4.3L DOHC 32 valve V8 from the Soarer/LS430 under the hood mounted in a position to provide a 50:50 weight balance. The V8 is mated a 6-speed sequential manual transmission. Toyota has suggested that this concept is simply experiment in styling at this point; however if it is produced (as many sources are suggesting), expect to see it as soon as 2-3 years from now. Expect much more conservative styling, as Toyota concepts are usually quite changed form the production product. It is doubtful that this car would appear at least in the US. This
car is likely to be priced well above most cars in the Toyota lineup
suggesting that it would be likely be placed under the Lexus nameplate.
Lexus however already has a convertible for sale in the SC430. A
convertible that priced to compete with the forthcoming 350Z and
RX-8, and with more power than the SC430 would surely obliterate
SC430 sales. Toyota 4000GT/4300GT/4500GT/5000GT
This car has been rumored to appear for the last few years. Originally leaked to magazines, perhaps to gauge interest in a Toyota Super car, the purple concept was release (by Toyota?) and was presented as a super car somewhere around the $US100,000 price range. Judged as too retro the later drawings (orange/white) represent a more modern looking super car. Please note that the latter drawings are just Japanese car magazines speculation on the design, and may be completely out of the blue. In any design the 5000GT is supposed to have well over 400 HP, and should really blow away and current designs from Japanese automakers. Whether or not this car will actually be built remains to be seen...as Toyota is notoriously tight-lipped about future models. The name suggest heritage along the lines of the 1967 2000GT a
car who's design was well before its time. Hopefully this suggest
that the car will have technology well ahead of the curve. (pictures: Top-Road and Track, Middle-Motor magazine, Bottom-Best car Magazine scan courtesy Scoup Magazine) |
|
|
The ideas, images, modifications,
or anything else detailed on this website are not in any way endorsed
or supported by Toyota USA.
© 2001 Toyota Celica Message Board Disclaimer Contact Logo:©2001 Mascotgraphics |
||
 |
||
2/28/02-Toyota
officially announced the launch of a new brand named Scion (pronounced
"sigh-on"). Targeted to appeal to the youth market Scion
will produce cars which target younger buyers with presumably sportier
designs. The new brand will be similar to Toyota using the name
"Lexus" to sell its luxury line of cars. Unlike Lexus
however, Scion cars will be sold within current Toyota dealers perhaps
in a separate area of the showroom. Concepts will be unveiled at
the New York Auto Show (late March). Rumors have been floating around
for a while that Toyota's "isthistoyota.com" vehicles
(including the Celica) would be split off to this new brand. Other
possible candidates to be unveiled at the NY Auto Show will possibly
include a car based off of the "ccX" Concept (think small
powerful hatchback) and a true sports car (maybe Supra/4500GT?)
with performance on par with cars such as the NSX/350Z/Evo.
