Toyota, Subaru Joining Forces for Small Sports Car
Toyota fans have been jonesing for a sports car ever since the Supra was discontinued in 1998. They’ve been clamoring for a small sporty car of any kind since the Celica was euthanized in 2005. Now they can rejoice: Toyota CEO Katsuaki Watanabe has confirmed his company is working jointly with Subaru to develop a small, affordable, rear-wheel-drive sports car.
Check that: it’s actually two small, rear-wheel-drive sports cars — one for Toyota and one for Subaru. According to Automotive News, both will be powered by a Subaru supplied boxer engine similar to what’s currently under the hood of Subaru’s Impreza, Legacy and Forester.
This isn’t the only confirmation, as a Subaru executive said he’s driven the test vehicle already. Expect the new car to go on sale in 2011. Plans are for a Japan introduction with overseas markets to follow and presumably, the U.S. will be included. If you’d be willing to put money down at your local Toyota or Subaru dealer for one, let us know in the comments below.
