Toyota has already announced that it has indefinitely delayed a joint venture with Isuzu to develop a small diesel powerplant, and now comes word that dwindling sales have affected another Toyota project. Toyota will be delaying the launch of a new coupe, which is currently being co-developed with Subaru.
The yet-to-be-named compact rear-wheel drive coupe has been under development for some time now, but Toyota has decided to delay the project amid slumping global auto sales, according to the Nikkei. The new coupe, which will likely surface in the U.S. as the next-generation Scion tC, was expect to hit the market in 2010 or 2011, but has now been pushed back to 2012 at the earliest.
Although the current Scion tC was just launched in 2005, it is already starting to feel a little long in the tooth. If the project is indeed on the backburner until 2012, look for Toyota to give the tC a significant upgrade in the coming year to keep the coupe from really feeling like a 7-year old car in 2012.
No word on a delay for the Subaru version of the coupe, but it would seem safe to assume that it too is delayed until at least 2012.
12/22, 12:31 PM
posted by:
injunraiv
I just want to know why Isuzu is THE name in diesel engine technology lately? The Duramax is fantastic. What do they know that no one else is privy to?
12/22, 12:58 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
This is bad news, because FWD sucks and there’s too much of it.
12/22, 1:25 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
Toyota pushes “Performance” plans to… never.
They’re such a freakin geriatric car company… no wonder their average buyer age is 50. Toyota doesn’t make a single car that I’m even remotely interested in.
At least Honda has the S2000 and Civic Si for those who want some excitement with their practicality and reliability. I think the next step for Toyota is going to be the elimination of manual transmissions from their lineup.
I maintain that Toyota could restart production of the Supra using the old stampings… not change a single thing… price it at $25,000 for the NA, $30,000 for the Turbo… and it would outsell the Mustang and 370Z easily. There are so many performance enthusiasts that want one of those cars it’s not even funny.
12/22, 2:01 PM
posted by:
christianboy10
Not good news but better than the honda news concerning that NSX, at least we still might get this one
12/22, 2:47 PM
posted by:
Commodore
Gasp, does this mean that the next Fast&Furious is gonna be delayed because of a lack of rice ready cars? Oh noes!
12/22, 3:05 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Double Yawn
12/22, 3:20 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Fantastic. I couldn’t be happier. RaineMan nails this one. Toyota may do a lot of things right but they are so missing the ball when it comes to this part of the market. The number of deprived souls waiting for a decent sports coupe from Toyota is probably staggering. The biggest clue is not the number of last gen Celicas you see on the road but the condition in which their owners maintain them. They’re starving, and it’s inevitable Toyota’s going to lose a lot of them. Everyone wants a new car once in a while and unless they’re willing to settle for a TC they’re going to be moving on. That makes me happy.
12/22, 7:06 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
RaineMan,
TOYOTA has no real performance plans. It’s debatable that they ever did. From the the rumored return of the SUPRA to this new “AE-86″ revival, TOYOTA has effectively opted to focus on making basic, if comfortable transportation.
They didn’t do anything with the MR2, which easily could have been a Lotus Elise for less than half the price. The Celica was put out to pasture. whether that comes back is anyone’s guess.
The woes of being the Biggest car maker are coming up to bite them. Gone are their “wow” cars, except maybe those in LEXUS but they are generally not affordable like we picture Japanese performance to be.
The Old Supra sucked. A normal C4 Corvette could out handle that car. Do you honestly think that anyone would take that car seriously over a Mustang or a Z-car. It was an attractive car, but lacked handling. “Maxxed” out, that is taking the car as far as you can without making it NOT a Supra, that car was only just barely in parity to the G1 Viper, a car famous for it’s hairy handling.
That’s not to say I wouldn’t mind seeing a new Supra, but it would have to do three things at least;
1) Revise the handling and suspension. it was behind when it came out. It wouldn’t place today.
2) Keep the costs down. Saying that, Turbos are out. A revised Tundra engine seems most likely for the top engine. It is unclear if TOYOTA could use the Lexus IS as a base, but that would cut cost of development.
3) Keep the same general good looks. I HATE the Camry’s styling with a passion. the sleek looks of the 90s Supra were among the best looking cars of that decade and it still looks HOT today.
12/22, 7:59 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Raineman
Change your name to “Brainsman”
That makes way too much sense!
It would never work!
The Supra legend will have to live on in our hearts and minds
I need a tissue……
DrFill
12/22, 9:56 PM
posted by:
miket
Kind of disappointing.
Who would want a cheap, (presumably) fun RWD car in a crappy economy?
Great Idea guys……
12/22, 11:58 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
Toyota,
Ever heard of “more bang for you buck”?
12/23, 8:46 AM
posted by:
Red_H
No RWD 4cyl Turbo Boxer… =(
12/24, 12:47 PM
posted by:
JerkStoreAssistantManager
I am not going to wait that long! I’ll get a used 330Ci for the $20K. Maybe with the ZHP performance package if I can find a deal/ old person . . . (to get it for $20K [prob not going to happen])