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Photos courtesy of Toyota
I absolutely adore small, sporty cars, and so whenever something like the S-FR concept debuts at an auto show, I spend the next six months trying to figure out if it will, in fact, be built. Toyota’s history is rich enough with sporty cars that its designers can always dip into a well of styling cues: I see some Sports 800, FX-S Concept, and Sera in its shape.
This concept is basically a Mazda MX-5 Miata-sized Scion FR-S, albeit with two very small rear seats. And what gets me is that when looking at the photos of the car, it all seems so close to production and so real that I almost expect to be able to visit my local Toyota dealer and take a test drive.
I’m exactly the sort of enthusiast to get excited about an inexpensive 130 horsepower, 2,160-lb coupe that has little in the way of features beyond its six-speed manual transmission.
It’s said to be on its way into production—so what do you think of the Toyota S-FR Concept?
(I’ve already put my Fiat 500 Abarth on notice.)
H/T to jalopnik.com
Overall I like the design and the concept, but something needs to be done about the grille – it’s disproportionately large and makes it look like a bottom feeding fish. And the handbrake looks intrusive, I’d rather see it slightly recessed and with some sort of armrest. But aside from that, bring it on!
Me personal feelings about small cars being awesome aside, we must face the fact that while the car may get built, any suggestion of bringing it to the US market will be met with derisive comparisons to the Smart and assertions that Toyota already tried and failed to sell a tiny car in this market; the iQ. Never mind that the car looks to be built in 7/8ths scale, rendering it useless for most corn-fed Americans. Focus groups will complain that the car is too low, the greenhouse too small, and needs to have video screens in the seatbacks, four doors, and offer enough interior room to haul a family of 5 to the airport. If in fact we see a version here it will more than likely be indistinguishable from a Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta, Mitsubishi Mirage (if still in business here) and whatever scabby rebranded south Korean effort GM is selling.
Gawd I hope I am wrong….
You’re probably right Mouse,
But how important is it for this car to look timeless if it’s got some character, is fun to drive, gets good mileage, is reliable and , best of all, does NOT have huge a__, out of proportion, tall wheels. This car definitely has that cute car thing goin’ on. Back in the day, I wonder how many people thought the VW Beetle. Saab 96 ( & Sonnet), Lancia Fulvia, or A.H. bugeye Sprite were timeless? All those are on my wish list. Of course my wish list is tempered by my lack of funds.
Man Guitar!
You really have your OPM’s (opinions per minute) happening! Keep it up, it’s fun.
It seems to me that neither the Miata or the Mini were ever about being brand new ideas either. More like taking the warm fuzzys of an old, beloved idea and making it safer, reliable and user friendly. Miata=Lotus, Mini=Mini, S-FR=Sport 800/Zagato(?). I don’t see a problem with this. Car design seems like music. The great innovators of the last century didn’t leave us with much more untapped potential at least in terms of sounds and sights that most of us can relate to.
It also seems a stretch to accuse Toyota of attitudes and platitudes in regards to their recent rear drive endeavors. Nissan bailed on their 510 inspired idea because of manufacturing costs of a new RWD platform. Enthusiasts should be thanking and encouraging Toyota in their last forays into driving fun before the driverless Nazis take over.
I agree with Clayton about the grill being a little too big and fish-faced, however I actually do like some of Ford’s Aston Martin inspired grills.
Honestly ? It looks like a pathetic attempt on behalf of Toyota to try and cash in on BMW MINI’s success with a blatant pastiche rather than creating something new . And no doubt should the thing see the light of a production day .. like its SubaYota older sibling it’ll be 99\% attitudes and platitudes with almost zero substance . e,g, .. A Marketing ploy aimed at the non-discerning image conscious set . My recommendation on both counts ?
Get over the RWD bs … buy a BMW MINI . The only one including the new FIAT 500 that actually delivers on the road as well as it does in print /online as well as the fashion runways .
PS; Do yourself a favor Banovsky . Get a real car rather than a fashion accessory by trading the FIAT for either a Mazda MX-5 Miata or the afore mentioned BMW MINI . Find out first hand and on a daily basis what real driving pleasure and excitement . not to mention a genuine SPM factor [ Smiles per Miles ] is all about .. versus pretense and marketing hype under the guise of being a ‘ sports ‘ car !
Hopefully a preemptive strike against Honda and/or more reason for [url=”http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/news/a26551/honda-s1000-successor-not-coming-to-the-us-yet/”]Honda to bring its S660-like car/concept[/url] stateside and to Europe? Even though I’m not the biggest fan of how this looks, I’m all for ANYTHING that brings more small, light, and fun roadsters to our lives!
I like the concept of a rear wheel drive sporty sports car, never have too many of those. You can definitely see Sports 800 in the side profile. I have to say though that it looks like an angry toad from the front.
Another thing I find extremely unattractive and it’s not just with this concept. It seems that all manufacturers over the last few years have gone to this “gaping maw” front end design. It’s hideous. It seems that half of the front end is missing. Ford and Mazda are two of the worst offenders but they are certainly not alone. Seems they could certainly put a more attractive front end on it.
My two cents.
Absolutely sure it will be a blast, but not that sure about looks. I mean, nothing really wrong plus aesthetics are pretty much market-driven nowadays. I guess target audience shaped this, at least it seems that way – I just wish it was more of a Golf-GTi-shrinking-into-a-Polo-GTi thing. A bit more mature. Just a bit.
But whatever, RWD is something to cherish. Bring it on.
No likee. Looks like a guppy and has a bad blindspot on those rear corners. As your site has proven, the best car design still looks good after decades. I think one reason vintage cars, motorcycles, and even hifi gear is so popular is that design and build quality was clean and honest. There may be hints of better car designs in this one, but that usually ends up looking like a mashup of other designs—which this is. I can’t appreciate car designs that are more about just being different, than being good. I bet the designer of this concept car couldn’t tell you why they shaped the car as they did. At least not in a way I could appreciate. Look at the interior details, and tell me you think they’ll hold up to normal wear from drivers and passengers mucking about.
I don’t care for the looks so much, but the fundamental is very sound. And I really thought all hopes were lost, and I would never ever be tempted by a new car. Genuinely small sports car that is simple, that is it. And because it’s not – by design – seeking speed or handling or some such thing, this could very well turn out the car that we are looking for: small, zippy little car that’s fun fun fun at sane speed. Just like the Miata. I wish Toyota does this, and, and keep it really simple, just like the concept. And I do wish that the roof comes off, like Sport800. I say, this could be my next daily driver.
I really like this! Not many new cars from the big guys that I do like any more. This one actually looks like it was designed by an adult with a sence of humor rather than a 12 year old with a bad attitude.
I think I’d like it even a little better without the ducktail, with steel wheels (think old Alfa or Lotus) and a little tasteful chrome or stainless, instead of all black, around the windows, grill and rear end.
The more I look, the more I like. I think that’s a good sign of it having lasting appeal.