Toyota isn’t exactly synonymous with sporty vehicles, but that could change in the coming years as the Japanese automaker plans a new crop of rear-wheel drive vehicles. We already know that the FT-86 coupe is on the way, and a new report suggests a second rear-wheel drive model is also in the works.
Paying tribute to Hiromu Naruse, the Toyota test driver that was recently killed just outside of Germany’s Nurburgring, Toyota is said to be moving forward with plans for a small rear-wheel drive coupe. The new model is said to be based on the Naruse-championed GRMN Hot Hatch Concept, which first debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show.
Although the concept car took the form of a hot hatch, the production version of the car will be a more conventional two-door coupe. Toyota will use its Aygo as a base for the new coupe, although the car will feature rear-wheel drive. Power will be sourced from a Daihatsu-sourced 1.5L engine, which should be good for about 100 horsepower. Performance should be decent – despite a rather meager power rating – thanks to a total curb weight of about 2,000 pounds.
The compact coupe will slot beneath the FT-86 – in both price and size — in the Toyota lineup. Early reports suggest the rear-drive two-door will carry an MSRP of about $15,500. If all goes to plan, Toyota will launch the new compact coupe in 2012, which would likely beat the FT-86 to market.
References
1.’Toyota plans…’ view
2.’Toyota Future Coupe…’ view
