Why doesnt Toyota build performance orientated cars anymore?

[TTEETT]

It would be nice to see a new Corolla Turbo to compete with the plethora of other hot hatches available wouldn’t it, or how about a new Celica, MR2…..even a hypo Yaris would be a start!

Witch brings me to my hypothetical question.

Q: You work for Toyota and they want you to come up with a concept for a new performance car that has to be sold for around $40K new?

What would you tell them to build

[Dell'Orto]

1ZZFZE powered Corolla as an entry level hot hatch, with a 2ZZGTE powered version optional

[TTEETT]

1ZZFZE powered Corolla as an entry level hot hatch, with a 2ZZGTE powered version optional

That would be all good!

[MR2SIK]

a 2jz in a MR platform would be my pick

[sergei]

What I would love to see is for toyota to revive AE86 (something like on the pic on other post) leave it in RWD, use beefier engine (3SG(T)E) no Auto option . Also I would love to see a light weight 4WD Turbo vehicle (similar to 165 but with more guts from factory). And also I would love to see them make something in ferrari realm (no not supra - it is not and never was a super car)...

[bluemaumau]

a small coupe 2l turbo. like a evolved ae86. or another supra

[Alex B]

Why dont they?? Did you ever do economics?? Well if you didnt, my best guess is because there is not a very large market for them anymore.

[Lloyd]

Plus the RWD format seems to be mainly used for luxury barges more than anything. Bugger all smaller AE86-like vehicles in RWD in the new vehicle range. Personally I'd like to see them making a lovely handling vehicle along the lines of the AE86 but use an engine such as the 2ZZ, but have it like the 4As with many interchangable parts, GZE pistons, heads etc so there is the option for building up quite a tough little motor by mixing and matching.

[RomanV]

And hands up, all of the people who could actually afford to buy the car that they're suggesting that toyota start building? Brand new?

Not many people would raise their hands I'd imagine, and I'd imagine that the people that can afford to arent too interested in a car like an AE86 in this day and age. (They'd want ABS, traction control, 4 doors, etc etc, and before you know it, you've got an Altezza )
It's not very profitable to make sporty cars, especially ones that have their own chassis/design/etc, as opposed to a 'sporty' model of something that they make in mass production regardless.

which is probably why the light weight RWD is more or less extinct, it's not economical to make small cars RWD, and it's easier/cheaper/etc to make a sporty version of the FWD shopping trollies than start all over.

However in saying all of this.....
I'd like to see some more light weight RWD cars like AE86 etc.
Pity it will never happen though.

[TTEETT]

Mazda have the MPS-3, as well as the MX5, Subaru have the WRX, Ford will have the Focus XR5 turbo surely, Renault offer the Cleo Cup RS and the Megan RS, Volkswagen have a Polo & Golf GTi, BMW have the Mini Cooper S. Holden have the Astra Sri Turbo.

As for the F-R platform, Mazda is making a fortune off the MX-5, it would be nice to see a Sports car like that from Toyota!

I was simply trying to provoke some imagination, that’s all.

[TTEETT]

Why dont they?? Did you ever do economics?? Well if you didnt, my best guess is because there is not a very large market for them anymore.

Yes I did do economics got top of the class, it was a Hypothetical Question?

Don’t suppose you did art, drama or graphics (creatives) as you didn’t sagest anything?

[Leon]

I guess Toyota makes better money building appliances than exciting cars. I don't mean that in a rude way, because the Toyota brand name is all about lasting damn near forever, which is all good for couriers and their Hiaces.

Just not so thrilling for us, who like the Levin's, FXGT's, MR2's, Supra's etc.

The TSport Corolla's are probably a decent enough car (they have the 1800 Celica engine?), but they don't exactly *look* like a hot hatch any more do they

[flygt4]

the new lexii actually cop a half decent engine shame bout the 90k price tag
we were having a perve when we were in buying our wagon from toyota , and the cocky salesmen tried to offer us a lexus , if it wasnt for the need to eat on a daily basis i woulda had one.

[Zitchu]

Ive been wondering why they haven't been building sports cars for a while now. Its sad since they're a big ass company and im sure they wouldn't lose much money if people didn't buy to many of them.
Bring back the 90s

[bad20v]

Bring back RWD truenos and levins!!!

Dammit!!!

[Punter]

2 Door version of the Altezza . That would be sweet.

And no I wouldn't be able to afford it.

[Alex B]

Why dont they?? Did you ever do economics?? Well if you didnt, my best guess is because there is not a very large market for them anymore.

Yes I did do economics got top of the class, it was a Hypothetical Question?

Don’t suppose you did art, drama or graphics (creatives) as you didn’t sagest anything?

Ga art students

You know with a hypothetical question you dont expect an answer right??

And no i didnt because new cars are filled with crap such as abs and air bags. And 74 cup holders. I dont think they will ever be as "raw" as they once were.

[bad20v]

I dont think they need to be as 'raw' as they used to be by I dont see why their wouldn't be a market for a small-mid size FR toyota for the masses.

Like TTEETT said, Mazda are cleaning up the market with the MX-5 as it is a good handling rwd sports car that every hairdresser or trend setter puts on their must-have list of things to buy for weekend trips. Sure its got the image of being a little 'pretty' and not very mainly but if you want something a little more 'manly', Nissan have got the S15 Silvia, which in my opinion is a damn sexy car for men and woman! Its bigger but also comes with some nice power for the boys.

Both manufacturers are cleaning up the market with these affortable RWD vehicles in asia and the pacific regions, just like BMW has done in Europe with the 3 series models and smaller.


What I would like to see is a mid-size car, about the same size as an AE111 Trueno/Levin, with a 2 litre engine (or even the 2ZZ-GE), a turbo and non-turbo variation, and most of all RWD!!!

...and it would sell!

Look at all the new RWD vehicles coming out of Japan, and look at how fast they are snapped by car enthusiasts and normal people alike.

[Snoozin]

I think we should see a 2JZGTE mid engined Toyota/Scion bB. Oh yes

I answer to above - it's a pity, but the S15 was dropped a few years back now!

[flygt4]

yeah put a 2jzgte in everything