When the hype first hit the fan, I said that if they want to sell the Toyobaru in big numbers, especially in the US, they will have to sacrifice some of that sacred rigidity and lightness for a convertible. Well the rot is setting in sooner than I thought. Today I heard an ad for the BRZ on the radio. It was long enough to allow for two attributes to be mentioned. They were voice-activated sat-nav and dual zone climate control. Wow, serious stuff for real enthusiasts!
Are you old enough to remember the Datsun 240Z deteriorating into the 260Z and the medallion-man's 280Z? And the replacement, the tech-heavy and all-round heavy 300Z? Even the sainted MX-5 has gained 15% in weight over the years.
So any thoughts on what direction the Toyobaru will take with version 1.5 and version2?
21 July 2012
I think the GT-86/BRZ/FR-S is an awesome car for enthusiasts, but marketing it as such isn't going to make it successful. Maybe in the future, it will become bloated, turbocharged and softened, but let's make the most of what it is now. A truly brilliant car because of the way in which it was designed to excite car enthusiasts. At least some cars are still being made like that - these days, most 'sportscars' have complying with EU CO2 emissions regulations as a main priority. At least someone out there is thinking of us petrolheads!
I'm keeping my expectations high. A drive in one next week will hopefully not disappoint...
19 December 2008
I would hope there are plans to use Subaru's 2.5 flat 4. If we get about 200bhp from the 2.0, the same treatment should get us 250 bhp ish, which should be enough to add the performance and torque some people say is missing from the current car.
And when the soft top turns up, its likely to be heavier, they usually are, so again a slightly larger engine would be good,
And as the 2.5 and 2.0 are basically the same engine there shouldnt be any weight gain
14 February 2009
I think you can forget about a 2.5 litre version. They will use forced induction for quicker variants. If Jag can get 500 BHP from their new 1.6, Toyota and Subaru will have no trouble getting adequate power from a 2-litre.
15 May 2012
I think Fidgi6 is right.
Big brands want profits and a true enthusiasts car isn't going to cut the numbers because it will rarely cover the bases wanted by the masses. If they have to sell a few soft, poncy derivatives to make enough cash to cover the production of the enthusiast's version, so be it. Just make sure you buy the right one!
21 July 2012
I think Fidgi6 is right.
Big brands want profits and a true enthusiasts car isn't going to cut the numbers because it will rarely cover the bases wanted by the masses. If they have to sell a few soft, poncy derivatives to make enough cash to cover the production of the enthusiast's version, so be it. Just make sure you buy the right one!
Well put. It's the same case for the MX-5. You can buy one with an electric folding roof and an auto 'box, but the fact that those are sold means that Mazda can cover the costs for the ones us petrolheads hanker after.
15 May 2012
I think Fidgi6 is right.
Well put.
I knew that that would go down well in certain quarters!
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BMW 3 GT - All the car you need.
20 May 2012
Not sure what the agreements are between the two - but until one or both get 4wd and a decent turbo/intercooler - nice pistons and 300 bhp - it wont bloody sell the way they hope. So really I see these two being the finest "after-market" car to be purchased at a good price, and then destroy your bank account being serious!
what's life without imagination
1 June 2010
When the hype first hit the fan, I said that if they want to sell the Toyobaru in big numbers, especially in the US, they will have to sacrifice some of that sacred rigidity and lightness for a convertible. Well the rot is setting in sooner than I thought. Today I heard an ad for the BRZ on the radio. It was long enough to allow for two attributes to be mentioned. They were voice-activated sat-nav and dual zone climate control. Wow, serious stuff for real enthusiasts!
Are you old enough to remember the Datsun 240Z deteriorating into the 260Z and the medallion-man's 280Z? And the replacement, the tech-heavy and all-round heavy 300Z? Even the sainted MX-5 has gained 15% in weight over the years.
So any thoughts on what direction the Toyobaru will take with version 1.5 and version2?
I think straight line performance will be significantly increased in the next iterations. For the coupé the performances are poor for today standards. The car is light but not Elise-light and the engine lacks torque. I still not experienced it but I fear a RX-8 effect. Great balance and low centre of gravity but at the first uphill the car totally lacked push