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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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 Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sat, 28 February 2004 00:05
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Looks a bit like a Focus though... 
The techno gadgetry is pretty cool. Don't think I like the idea of the buddy system though... Sounds like a way for the piggies to be able to track you...
Th rotating speedo is, umm, interesting... I reckon it'd be quite confusing.
http://leaseplan.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/s tory2/4CAB9A31A35E6487CA256E46002122A3
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First look: Toyota's youthful coupe
Coupe scoop: The Sportivo Coupe is claimed to be a "pure" concept rather than production based.
Toyota's Melbourne show concept coupe is jammed with techno ideas
By BRUCE NEWTON 27 February 2004
TOYOTA Australia’s determination to break out of its respected but unloved persona is highlighted by a dramatic concept car launched at the Melbourne motor show today.
Called the Sportivo Coupe, it embodies many of the issues the local arm of Toyota is grappling with as it looks to develop its business into the future.
These include the need to capture a younger audience; erasing its mundane image; a desire to promote the Sportivo brand name; and the necessity to develop its design and engineering talent and capacity and promote that ability here and overseas.
All up, the cost of bringing the Sportivo Coupe to life – and it is a runner – has been put at more than $1 million. Approved by the local Toyota board only last July, it went from concept to reality in 30 weeks.
The inspiration for Sportivo Coupe comes not only from inside Toyota but also from more than 100 Sydney and Melbourne 14 to 18-year-olds the company surveyed to discover what they felt were important features in a car.
"Personal mobility and communications were what came out as being very important," said project manager Paul Beranager.
"They saw the use of the car as being an urban mobility thing, although some of them wanted to have a bit more of a race around and enjoy the performance, so it was a bit of a balance."
What emerged is a concept in the true sense of the word – designed to stimulate debate and thought rather than being simply a mildly disguised future production car. This car is very unlikely to ever see production, although design elements are bound to turn up.
Toyota goes as far as to claim Sportivo Coupe as the first "pure" concept car produced by a local manufacturer since the Holden Hurricane in 1969. Toyota now dismisses its first local concept, the X-Runner revealed at the Melbourne motor show last year, as a derivative of a production car.
Toyota’s claim is going to be hotly debated and undoubtedly rejected by some – notably Mike Simcoe and the small team at Holden which secretly created the Holden Coupe in 1998. This car subsequently went into production as the new-age Monaro and is now sold in the US as the reborn Pontiac GTO.
Sportivo Coupe features an all-new two-door body designed by 29-year-old Nick Hogios, the former Wheels magazine young designer of the year who first worked at Ford. Highlights of his design include the use of about 380 LED lights, dihedral doors that hinge up and forwards instead of outwards, the extensive use of glass panels and bodywork shaped in carbon-fibre composite.
That is bonded to a tubulat steel chassis and draped over a bespoke four-seat interior which has a driver-centric contol area, including a flat screen instrument panel, push-button start and park brake and a seat design different to all other passengers.
Information and entertainment systems are included for front and rear seat passenger and the screens are portable, able to be detached and used as lap top computers remote from the car.
The Sportivo Coupe is powered by a 180kW/305Nm 2.4-litre turbocharged VVT-i four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and the all-wheel drive system adapted from the RAV4 soft-roader. But this car has no off-road capability.
A PBR-developed brake system is housed inside a massive 21-inch wheel and tyre combination, while underpinning all this is the suspension (albeit retuned) and platform from the current 380N Camry.
But just as interesting and more individual are some advanced electronic systems that feature in this car, which Toyota is already discussing with government authorities.
Called T-Link, this electronic system is based around the driver’s license, which is a mobile phone-style SIM card that would be embedded with a host of data.
The licence would not only allow the driver access to the car, but also provides individual settings for driving position, radio stations, phone numbers, GPS tracking data for friends and even engine output.
The system even allows the personal electronic licence number of the driver to be displayed on the number plate, as well as P, L or handicap plates if applicable.
Toyota says speeding fines, tollway charges and even parking fines could be sent through T-Link to the driver responsible, rather than the car owner.
Mr Beranger rejects any suggestions that T-Link has overtones of big brother.
"I struggle personally to understand the problem because we are not adding intrusive technology in the personal sense. The fact that the car has the driver's number on it rather than the owner's - that’s been there for 100 years, so what?" he said.
Another innovation is the digital speedometer that reconfigures its analogue-style display so that the prevailing speed limit is always located in the 12 o’clock position.
The third electronic innovation is the use of GPS ‘Friend Finder’ tracking. That enables the occupants of Sportivo Coupe to see where their friends are through icons on a screen and allow the occupants to navigate electronically to a central meeting point.
"The technology we are showing in this car would not be owned by Toyota," Mr Beranger said. "Effectively, Toyota’s innovative technical concepts would be the property of the regulators and industry.
"The options we are presenting here could be progressively introduced over the next five to 10 years and industry would work collaboratively with government to make it happen."
Specifications:
Body: Two-door coupe with ‘dihedral’ doors
Bodywork: Carbon-fibre panels bonded to tubular steel frame integrated with Toyota Modular Platform. Satin paint finish
Engine: 2.4-litre, four-cylinder, twin camshafts, four valves per cylinder, turbocharged with intercooler
Power: 180kW at 5500rpm
Torque: 305Nm at 4500rpm
Driveline: Five-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel drive
Suspension (front and rear): Independent struts with coil springs, hydraulic dampers and ball-joint linked stabiliser bar
Wheels: Special 21-inch alloys; 9-inch wide front, 10-inch wide rear
Tyres: Dunlop SP Sport 9000; 245/35ZR21 front, 285/30ZR21 rear
Brakes: PBR Performance brakes with vented and drilled rotors; 380mm front, 355mm rear. Six-piston front callipers, four-piston rear callipers
Park Brake: Electronic actuation with centre console-mounted button. Banksia-type shoe inside rear rotor
Steering: Power-assisted rack and pinion
Seats: Individual bucket seats for four people
Lighting: LED headlights, foglights strip, tail-lights and turn signal indicators
Wheelbase: 2720mm
Front track: 1665mm
Rear track: 1749mm
Overall length: 4627mm
Width: 2052mm
Height: 1456mm
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Location:
Colac, Victoria
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sat, 28 February 2004 02:02
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the drivetrain layout sounds strangely Gt4-esque -
ie awd 5 speeder mated to a camry 4 cyl on steroids
I hope this shows toyota that AWD and turbo cars - in a coupe body , still works with kids of today - and rebirth the GT4 !
might stop em designing for grandpa , and show them that these 14 to 18 yo's are their bread and butter for the next generation
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sat, 28 February 2004 14:00
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why do they waste so much monet on something that isnt gonna come out?
why not use it to build a proper freaking car....
and 21 inch rims.. ofcourse all 18 yr olds could afford tyres for them
and only 180kw too... weird
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sat, 28 February 2004 14:37
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Well it's better than a kick in the pants.
If I where Toyota (and I would just like to point out that I'm not) I would be going for modification. Give it 16-17" wheels, people can put their own 18s on if they want 'em. Make it AWD, and put in a front to back engine config (rather than transverse), then leave a nice bit of space in the engine bay to work on it. I would also do away with stupid inovations. 2+2, lightweight AWD coupe. Nothing too expensive so that young people can actualy afford one! Something to compete with and beat the WRX and STI. 
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Toymods Social Secretary
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
July 2002
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!
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Sat, 28 February 2004 16:12
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I think this is awesome!!
Toyota australia is finally trying to redefine its image, and target the youth market! This is good news, meaning that finally we are being recognised as a viable share of the market, and that things may finally go our way in the future!
Plus, that thing looks hot!
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Location:
Colac, Victoria
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: !
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Sat, 28 February 2004 22:27
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loose the funky doors - smooth the tail off a little for spoiler room. keep the front but mae it a little more 2004 , not 2014 , keep the motor and drivetrain - but strengthen it , to handle 200 + kw and youd have a worthy compeditor to takeon the 350Z - the current " car to have "
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 01:46
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buddy tracking: just another thing to distract you whilst driving
better idea: projection onto the windscreen of directions, no more stoopid voice calling the turns, i want to see a giant arrow in the sky pointing out the turn! (this could also implement things for tourists, with later inclusions for notifications of emergencies)
now how about gps controlled speed limiting... i know a lot of people would not like it, but a lot more would!
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
October 2003
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 01:50
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should of seen the Pajero show car. Stock: 22" wheels. Now thats affordable. Was marketed at youngsters.
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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 Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 01:53
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| wizzfizz2097 wrote on Sun, 29 February 2004 12:46 |
better idea: projection onto the windscreen of directions, no more stoopid voice calling the turns, i want to see a giant arrow in the sky pointing out the turn! (this could also implement things for tourists, with later inclusions for notifications of emergencies)
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That's a bloody good idea!!!
| wizzfizz2097 wrote on Sun, 29 February 2004 12:46 |
now how about gps controlled speed limiting... i know a lot of people would not like it, but a lot more would!
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This has already been done in the UK AFAIK...
I'd hate that...
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 02:09
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380mm rotors up front with 6 piston calipers
oh baby, I wanna fit them to my supra 
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 02:23
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| draven wrote on Sun, 29 February 2004 13:09 |
380mm rotors up front with 6 piston calipers
oh baby, I wanna fit them to my supra
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That's a bit of overkill isn't it? You've gotta weigh up the added weight (of the discs/pistons/calipers as well as the larger wheels you'd have to run) up against the stopping power (most of which you prolly won't use in such a light car).
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 02:31
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ssshhhhhhh
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 02:36
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Oh, sorry... Let me rephrase my last post...
Holy shit dude! That'd be siiik!! If you did that your dick would be HUGE bro!
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I supported Toymods
Location:
sydney.au
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 02:42
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| Quote: |
and put in a front to back engine config (rather than transverse),
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werd.
otherwise than being awd (woo fucking hoo) it sounds oK
less gadgets, more power + style will sell it
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I supported Toymods
Location:
sydney.au
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 02:45
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and this???
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Toyota’s claim is going to be hotly debated and undoubtedly rejected by some – notably Mike Simcoe and the small team at Holden which secretly created the Holden Coupe in 1998
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so they are trying to say the holden coupe or monaro was NOT a derivative of a production car? umm hello? monaro? or any other holden?
GMH hasnt made anyhting "groundbreaking" in the last 20 years
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Location:
Colac, Victoria
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 02:49
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outside of the quattro awd coupe - holden are still pretty much cut that shut this guys ..
Always have been ..
fords not much better ..
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Location:
sydney
Registered:
November 2003
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 03:20
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I don't think they'll sell that well.
Sad, but true.
Many people veiw (quite rightly) that RWDs are more dangerous so parents are less willing to buy RWD cars for their kids. And most women will just overlook the RWDs (yes, we can ignore them, but they make up 50% of the market so ignoring them would not make business sense).
Sad fact #2:
The current Celica was meant to be RWD until Toyota did their market research and found the above facts.
That car would be so good if it was RWD. 
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Location:
Colac, Victoria
Registered:
May 2002
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 04:24
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Sprinter RWD variant. Heh heh. Sounds good to me.
I think Suberu has the right idea making all it's cars AWD.
All Wheel Drive is a good option for a sports car, just look at the STi, EVO, GT4 and GT-R!
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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 Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 04:28
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AWD adds more weight.
Uses more fuel.
Increases points of failure.
And makes a car handle like crap (we're talking sports cars here).
The only way to make an AWD handle well is to use some REALLY tricky diff/computer setups like in the Evo and GT-R... Those cars are basically RWDs until you start losing traction, then they push the torque to the front wheels for extra grip.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
sydney.au
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 05:46
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| Nark wrote on Sun, 29 February 2004 15:28 |
AWD adds more weight.
Uses more fuel.
Increases points of failure.
And makes a car handle like crap (we're talking sports cars here).
The only way to make an AWD handle well is to use some REALLY tricky diff/computer setups like in the Evo and GT-R... Those cars are basically RWDs until you start losing traction, then they push the torque to the front wheels for extra grip.
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word to ya momma yo!
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Location:
Colac, Victoria
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 06:17
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sheltered sheltered lives
really:)
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Location:
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 06:33
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21" wheels? Really shows that 14-18yo's really did have a say in that car. And well, aside from the fact it looks like something from nfsu too. 
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and the all-wheel drive system adapted from the RAV4 soft-roader. But this car has no off-road capability.
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With 21" wheels, you'd think it would.
At least they got the drivetrain correct as well. AWD is where it's at. What's the point of big power with a fwd/rwd when all you'll be doing is spinning wheels and chirpies in 2nd/3rd? I'd rather all that power being kept delivered to the road and not lost.
I think they could have at least put a close ratio 6 speed box in it instead too.
| wizzfizz2097 wrote on Sun, 29 February 2004 11:46 |
now how about gps controlled speed limiting... i know a lot of people would not like it, but a lot more would!
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I'd love that option. It's something I was thinking of before I saw you already said it. Just as long as you can turn it off or on, it should be standard equipment.
I know the government will jump onto the idea of automated camera billing, but I'd bet my car that they wouldn't be interested in automatic speed limiters. The closest thing we have now is cruise control, but that's too much of a pain in the arse having to reset it all the time.
But all in all, it's not going into production, and nothing like it is, so keep getting used to boring econoboxes from toyota at the present and immediate future.
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Location:
Campbelltown, NSW, Austra...
Registered:
January 2004
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 09:27
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Often concept cars are at least a hint of things to come.
Why toyota is targeting 14-18 year olds confuses my considering i don't know any 18 year olds who could afford a new car, let alone something like that concept. I think that a cheap RWD sprinter is the way to go, remove features that young drivers don't want and leave them with a car that is simple and powerfull.
AWD however is the say things are going so i wouldn't be suprised if we see awd variants of exisiting Toyota vehicles.
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Location:
Gawler, SA
Registered:
August 2003
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 13:39
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I dont see how they plan to market it at youth because not only will it be expensive but insurance on a 2.4-litre turbocharged car would be a killer.
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 15:54
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If they want kids to buy it they need to make it cheap. They want sports loving kids it has to be RWD/AWD. And since AWD is more expensive, that leaves you with RWD. Only problem is, only sports enthusiasts will want it then. So you can forget most female buyers and about half the male drivers as well.
So are we targeting sports kids or just general kids? 'cuz you can't do both at once. Lets assume your targeting sports enthusiasts.
Right so we have a RWD set up to start with. The car needs to be prices down near the 25,000 mark for anyone under 20 to have the money for one. So we need a nice cheap but powerful and reliable engine. How about a 3S-GE? I know it's old, but it's been proven to be good and it's cheap! Lets see if we can't get 150kw and 204nm out of that (can't be hard).
So now we have a 3S-GE RWD car. VVTL-i would bring the price up a bit, but I think it's a must. So we chuck that in to give us a bit more power to play with. A sports car of this kind wouldn't be complete without a turbocharger, but lets make that an option shall we? To make it cheaper and better for power we need to make it light weight. Some simple design in the cabin, 2+2 seating, 2-door coupe design and let's see if we can't keep it under 1,200kg. Power options should be simple and split up across three models, the basic, extras, and turbo model. As it seems to resemble one, lets call it the Sprinter.
So we end up with three options:
Toyota Sprinter RS
3S-GE 2.0ltr VVTL-i with ~150kw and 204nm.
5-speed manual, LSD
Single piston vented 260mm discs front, ~200m discs rear.
16" Alloy Wheels
Standard Features: Remote central locks, alarm, ABS, 2-speaker tape player, spoiler.
Optional Extras: Interactive engine management computer, traction control, air conditioning, 4-speaker CD-Player, racing style bucket seats, Body kit.
Price from: ~$23,000
Toyota Sprinter RX
3S-GE 2.0ltr VVTL-I with ~150kw and 204nm.
5-speed manual/4-speed auto, LSD, active suspension (or some such thing)
Single piston vented 260mm discs front, ~200m discs rear.
16" Alloy Wheels
Standard Features: Remote central locks, alarm, ABS, traction control, 4-speaker CD player, climate control, power steering, power windows, cruse control, power seats, racing style bucket seats, Body kit.
Optional Extras: Sunroof, GPS Navigation system, interactive engine management computer, CD Stacker, leather seats.
Price from: ~$31,000
Toyota Sprinter Sportivo
Turbocharged 3S-GTE 2.0ltr VVTL-I with ~209kw and 300nm.
6-speed manual/5-Speed Auto, LSD, active suspension
Double piston vented 300mm discs front, 250m vented discs rear.
18" Alloy Wheels
Standard Features: Remote central locks, alarm, ABS, traction control, 6-speaker CD player, climate control, power steering, power windows, cruse control, power seats, interactive engine management computer, body kit.
Optional Extras: Sunroof, GPS Navigation system, CD Stacker, leather seats.
Price from: ~$48,000
I'm not so sure on the pricing, but the rest all looks good. Woh, and sorry for the MASSIVE post!
[Updated on: Sun, 29 February 2004 15:56]
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 22:34
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why not a cheap turbocharged model with none of the extra's
i bet that would be the most popular
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 23:22
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Problem is Jag, to stop the shows like Today Tonight (I hate that shit) making out that Toyota is killing kids you would have to put a lot of safety features into such a powerfull rear wheel drive car. Safety features = expensive.
But your right, a $26,000 "TURBO RS" would probably sell the best, if you could get the price down that low.
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Location:
c'town, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Sun, 29 February 2004 23:54
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toymods forum members > toyota's development department
..not
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Mon, 01 March 2004 00:03
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| rob_RA40 wrote on Mon, 01 March 2004 10:54 |
toymods forum members > toyota's development department..not
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You < Me.
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I Supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
December 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Mon, 01 March 2004 00:56
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How many 14-18 year olds do any of you guys know that could afford either:
A) A brand new AWD Turbo car
or
B) Insurance on a brand new AWD Turbo car
or
C) Rubber for 245/35ZR21's and 285/30ZR21's
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Location:
Gawler, SA
Registered:
August 2003
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Mon, 01 March 2004 01:50
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For me thats only one, because there parents buy them everything. All my other friends drive pre 90's cars which cost them $5k or less so even a car aimed at kids would be rediculous at $25k+
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Mon, 01 March 2004 02:17
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| Callifo wrote on Mon, 01 March 2004 12:50 |
For me thats only one, because there parents buy them everything. All my other friends drive pre 90's cars which cost them $5k or less so even a car aimed at kids would be rediculous at $25k+
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That is definatly a problem. But perhaps second car buyers would go in for it? I mean, it's got power, RWD, and options to give it even more power! I would make all three cars share similar features, so if you wanted to make the RS more powerfull, you could easily get the manifold for a turbo conversion from Toyota!
It's kinda like a gray import, only cheaper on insurance and still powerfull. Not to meantion that you don't have to worry so much about the condition of the car, as it's brand new.
I think it would be a great idea. Sure not as cheap or powerfull as a S13 or S14, but it's still RWD and should be build with potential comming out of it's ears.
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Location:
Ballarat, Victoria
Registered:
March 2003
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Mon, 01 March 2004 02:33
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| Shraka wrote on Mon, 01 March 2004 11:03 |
| rob_RA40 wrote on Mon, 01 March 2004 10:54 |
toymods forum members > toyota's development department..not
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You < Me.
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gratutious use of mathematical symbols award goes to shraka
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Mon, 01 March 2004 06:20
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 Thank you thank you! I would like to thank the Academy and my mother for this fabulous award! This really belongs to you!
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Mon, 01 March 2004 08:23
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toyota wouldnt give a stuff about aftermarket thou, cause they wouldnt make any money off it, they need to sell brand new units... NOW
oh if i could get my hands on a SP R9:
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Mon, 01 March 2004 09:23
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they need to make them on a plan like mobiles or something
5 grand straight up and 50 bucks a week including 10 bucks petrol or something
or like 60 bucks a week and they replace the tyres for free whenever needed
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Mon, 01 March 2004 10:14
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| Shraka wrote on Mon, 01 March 2004 02:54 |
Right so we have a RWD set up to start with. The car needs to be prices down near the 25,000 mark for anyone under 20 to have the money for one. So we need a nice cheap but powerful and reliable engine. How about a 3S-GE? I know it's old, but it's been proven to be good and it's cheap! Lets see if we can't get 150kw and 204nm out of that (can't be hard).
So now we have a 3S-GE RWD car. VVTL-i would bring the price up a bit, but I think it's a must. So we chuck that in to give us a bit more power to play with. A sports car of this kind wouldn't be complete without a turbocharger, but lets make that an option shall we? To make it cheaper and better for power we need to make it light weight. Some simple design in the cabin, 2+2 seating, 2-door coupe design and let's see if we can't keep it under 1,200kg. Power options should be simple and split up across three models, the basic, extras, and turbo model. As it seems to resemble one, lets call it the Sprinter.
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Your logic ignores reality. There's no way they could put that much development work into a car like that and sell it for that cheap.
I think if you were to create a new car aimed at the low sports market, you'd have to start with market research.
A quick search using http://drive.com.au/ between the $25k-$30k price range brings up these competitors:
Ford Focus 2.0 Zetec: 96kW 9.6s $28,560
Holden Astra 2.2 SRi: 108kW $28,990
Honda Civic 1.7 Vi: 96kW $25,950
Mazda3 2.3 SP23: 115kW $29,990
Mazda6 2.3 Limited: 120kW $28,920
Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 VR-X: 92kW $26,990
Peugeot 206 2.0 GTi: 100kW $29,990
Subaru Impreza 2.0 RX: 92kW $28,590
Toyota Corolla 1.8 Sportivo: 141kW $29,990
As you can see, in that segment, they already have a car that's totally kick arse.
Another thing you'll notice is that all these cars are developments of standard platforms. At this price range, you will only make money if there is very, very, very little development work involved. That means using an existing platform.
The other problem is that that don't want to steal the thunder of the Corolla Sportivo.
Considering the cheapest RWD platform they have is the IS200, I would bet that any RWD they make would probably have to slot between the Corolla Sportivo and the Celica. It also can't be too close to the $40k mark where the RWD MX-5, MR2, and XR6 Turbo live...
Plus there's also the Clio Sport and Astra Turbo to contend with.
There's also the problem of what existing non-turbo (insurance reasons) RWD engine can be slotted in cheaply?
The 1G-FE out of the IS200 is probably the most logical place to start. It can make up for the fact that it's slightly underpowered (compared to some competition) by the fact that it's a cheap RWD sportscar.
If they can make it light enough to say challenge a V6 DunnyDoor, then you may have a winner.
Considering DunnyDoors start at $31,970, I'd be aiming at that price.
Oh, and Toyota will have to be a bit more bold with their styling to catch the youth market.
Having said all of that, it's a HUGE risk because development will cost a substantial amount of money and they run the risk of eating into the sales of the Corolla Sportivo, Celica, MR2, and IS200.
If I was Toyota, I certainly wouldn't do it.
It could end up a cult car, but it might also cost a lot of money for no reason.
Another possibility is a bare bones MR2 with a roof and a manual. But I can't see it dropping down much from the $50k that it currently sits on... Well not the $15k that it needs to... There's not much in an MR2 to start with...
So... We're stuck.
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Location:
sydney
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Mon, 01 March 2004 11:56
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i HATE society.
do you recon when "dave" at toyota's R&D thinktank got into the company he said
"man i used to love driving for the pleasure... oh well now i will just make a shit load of money telling people what they want and selling them the cheapest possible alternative."
wankers the lot of em.
ill tell you what, if i didnt like old cars, sorry LOVE old cars id drive a nissan...
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Mon, 01 March 2004 13:59
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Creates opportunities for second hand parts for one thing. And your saying a cult car following isn't good? What happens when these 18 year olds, that fell in love with that car get to 40, and have more money than they know what to do with? You release a new version of the old car.
Just 'cuz their existing line conflicts with my/our ideas doesn't mean it can't/won't/shouldn't be done. Since when was making you're customer happy a bad thing anyway?
In Australia...
What does Toyota have to compete with the 350Z/RX8? Nothing.
What does Toyota have to compete with the WRX? Nothing.
What did Toyota have to compete with the 200sx? Nothing.
They have the Celica/Corolla Sportivo for the Integra Type R.
They have the MR2 for... the S2000? Well I'm not realy sure.
If they want to become a family car company then fine, and it seems everyone else is doing something similar.
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Mon, 01 March 2004 22:29
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| Shraka wrote on Tue, 02 March 2004 00:59 |
Creates opportunities for second hand parts for one thing. And your saying a cult car following isn't good? What happens when these 18 year olds, that fell in love with that car get to 40, and have more money than they know what to do with? You release a new version of the old car.
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They might have a cult car. It's a very expensive gamble.
| Shraka wrote on Tue, 02 March 2004 00:59 |
Just 'cuz their existing line conflicts with my/our ideas doesn't mean it can't/won't/shouldn't be done. Since when was making you're customer happy a bad thing anyway?
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Making the customer happy is OK, but it's not the number 1 priority.
They're there to make money.
| Shraka wrote on Tue, 02 March 2004 00:59 |
In Australia...
What does Toyota have to compete with the 350Z/RX8? Nothing.
What does Toyota have to compete with the WRX? Nothing.
What did Toyota have to compete with the 200sx? Nothing.
They have the Celica/Corolla Sportivo for the Integra Type R.
They have the MR2 for... the S2000? Well I'm not realy sure.
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I think the only car they have that can come close to the RX-8 and 350Z is the IS300. Apples and oranges though.
It'd be nice to have a Supra. Or maybe a hardtop MR2 with the 2ZZ-GE from the Celica.
The Celica and Type R are direct competitors to the WRX and 200SX.
So is the MR2, but it's priced $10k too high to really make any money (that's the problem when you have to develop and new car).
| Shraka wrote on Tue, 02 March 2004 00:59 |
If they want to become a family car company then fine, and it seems everyone else is doing something similar.
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Because it makes money.
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Mon, 01 March 2004 22:41
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thats not to say theres not a youthful market that would give an arm and a leg to get their hands on the ricers weapon of choice.
just bring a car out with a big nos sticker down the side and boom
instant selling point
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Location:
Melbourne, Australia
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Mon, 01 March 2004 22:41
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| Shraka wrote on Mon, 01 March 2004 17:20 |
Thank you thank you! I would like to thank the Academy and my mother for this fabulous award! This really belongs to you!
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I think it should belong to me, just, well, because.
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Who said Toyota Australia are boring?
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Tue, 02 March 2004 02:51
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Nark, I understand that they are there to make money, but making the customer happy can make you money. I like what Richard Brandston said about Virgin when asked if he was worried about it going under 'cuz of Quantis: "I'm not worried, I can afford to run this company at a loss for 10 years."
If they wanna make it a family car company, then fine, but doesn't mean I have to be happy about it.
I don't think the Integra Type R is realy in the same league as a Turbocharged 200sx. I don't care what the company sais, it's a N/A FWD vs a Turbocharged RWD? Same goes for the Celica and WRX. the WRX is turbocharged and AWD, vs. a N/A FWD!?
I haven't driven a 200sx or Integra Type R, but I have driven a S13 CA18DET and 1993 VTEC Integra, and from that I don't think they are in the same legue.
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