Toyota ’s investment in Subaru is about to get a lot more interesting, as the two Japanese automakers are reportedly collaborating on bringing not one but two affordable sports coupes to market. The most recent updates to the unofficial news has the cars — one with the Subaru logo, the other flying the Toyota flag — on the roads in Japan by 2010, and making its way to North America shortly thereafter, while final designs should be approved by July. The coupe is believed to drive the rear wheels in base form, and draw inspiration from the classic Japanese cult car, the AE86 Corolla, or ‘hachi-roku’ to fans.
While the car is to keep Subaru ’s signature flat-four engine, it will forego the equally synonymous all-wheel drive system, mainly to keep costs down. A 2.0-liter boxer, with the corporate 2.5-liter likely in North American cars, is believed to power the car, putting out between 175 and 200 horsepower. While mechanical components and basic body structures will be common between the two, Toyota ’s version will look unique from Subaru’s thanks to proprietary front and rear end treatments, according to Autocar.
The report goes on to suggest a four-wheel drive turbo model will follow, and even a convertible to compete with Mazda ’s MX-5 is eventually likely. The car is expected to start at an equivalent of $20,000 in Japan, where Subaru will produce it in its Gunma plant, with Toyota overseeing its development.
