a light, inexpensive RWD Toyota coming soon?

Rumor has it Toyota is bringing back a sure-win sports car formula to its current boring lineup that doesn't spot a single one.

This time a magazine article puts a little bit more weight on the rumor. With this picture published:



Of course teenagers and a couple of older guys all over the world are screaming AE86. Indeed, light, rear wheel drive, sporty, coupe, very affordable, with good balance it'll sell like hot cakes. Fingers crossed and unlike most out there I hope they will stick to an NA engine.

What? A fun RWD sporty coupe with a good balance, precise control plus an easy price tag.

So what? That means car enthusiasts who aren't exactly well-off can still have a piece of the action.

And? Some kids will eventually introduce the front end of this car to numerous mountain pass guardrails, while others tune it to near-perfection and outrun a much more expensive factory Lotus.

When? End of 2009 but don't hold your breath for it.

A comeback of the comics-famed Trueno AE86? Sort of, the idea is similar but AE86 is a type of engine which production has been halted years ago, dead along with any decent driver's cars under the Toyota's emblem. It leaves me wondering how the new car's exhaust note would measure up.

Early specs:
price: 1,500,000 yen
length: 3959 mm
width: 1650 mm
height: 1350 mm
wheelbase: 2300 mm
engine: 2NZ-FE
exhaust: 1498 cc
horsepower (ps/rpm): 120/6500
torque: (kgm/rpm): 14.8/3800
transmission: 5MT
weight: 1000 kg

source: autoblog