Toyota is reportedly working on a new compact two-seater sports car in collaboration with Suzuki and Daihatsu. This development comes after the successful release of the Toyota Sport EV concept in December 2021.
The new sports car is not electric, and Toyota aims to create an heir to the iconic Toyota MR2 sports car that was produced by the company between the end of the last century and the beginning of the current one.
Collaboration between Three Japanese Brands
Toyota, Suzuki, and Daihatsu are working together to create a compact sports car that will be a successor to the MR2. The companies are collaborating on this project to achieve the best possible results by combining their expertise and resources.
The new sports car will be designed based on the Sport EV concept, which was among the many electric concepts presented by Toyota to anticipate the future of the brand. The new sports car’s design is expected to combine elements of the Sport EV concept and the Daihatsu Copen, the brand’s small coupé.
The Project Overview
The compact sports car will be designed to be more or less like the Sport EV concept, which is slightly over four meters in length. Under the hood, there will be a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with about 120 horsepower and 200 Nm of maximum torque, combined with Suzuki’s mild hybrid technology. The combination of the petrol engine and the hybrid technology will provide enough power to satisfy and entertain drivers.
Price Rumors and Availability
According to Japanese media reports, the price of the new compact sports car will be around 2.2 million / 2.8 million yen, which translates to between 15,000 and 20,000 euros.
However, it is unlikely that this car will be imported into Europe due to the stringent EU regulations. Nevertheless, Toyota’s new compact sports car is expected to be a hit in the Japanese market, where compact and sporty cars have always been in high demand.
Conclusion
The collaboration between Toyota, Suzuki, and Daihatsu on this new compact sports car is a significant development in the automobile industry. The three companies’ expertise and resources will combine to create a compact and affordable sports car that is sure to be popular among car enthusiasts.
Although the new sports car may not be available in Europe, it is sure to find a place in the hearts of Japanese car enthusiasts.
