Toyota, we need to have a word

"ImmoralMinority" (araimondo) 12/13/2018 at 10:14 • Filed to: None

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I am not opposed to joint venture efforts, which are the nature of the auto business these days it seems. But I do not like the cynical marketing of resurrecting classic models like Supra and MR2 for these efforts. The original cars were a product of Toyota’s individual design and engineering vision. I was fine with their last Toyobaru, but I would have been mad if they called it a Celica.  

Yes, this is an irrational Toyota fanboy take. But all fandom is irrational, so there it is.

way2blu does a rev update > ImmoralMinority 12/13/2018 at 10:21

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Brb, gonna order some “MR2BARU” CA plates...

If it’s a Suba2, that basically means a Porsche 718  Boxster. I’d kinda be okay with that.

bob and john > ImmoralMinority 12/13/2018 at 10:22

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probabyl SDubaru will bring back SVX name plate as well. 

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > ImmoralMinority 12/13/2018 at 10:23

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I see some potential for partnering up with Subaru on this one, mostly because they could just flip a Subaru drivetrain backwards (a la classic MR2s?) and get AWD out of it (selling point for “normal people”).

Only problem is that Subaru powerplants are pretty anemic in terms of power output...

WilliamsSW > way2blu does a rev update 12/13/2018 at 10:23

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300 Hp, mid mounted boxer? SIGN ME UP!

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > ImmoralMinority 12/13/2018 at 10:29

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Okay I hear what you’re saying, but the idea of a mi d engine sports car from Subaru with the  FA20DIT and AWD makes my pants feel funny (even though that combination extremely unlikely according to the article you posted).

OPPOsaurus WRX > ImmoralMinority 12/13/2018 at 10:29

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so like this:

mid mounted subaru

FactoryFive 818 s

Chuckles > ImmoralMinority 12/13/2018 at 10:32

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Counterpoint: All of the good car names have been taken, so they might as well re-use the good ones. Naming a new car a Celica doesn't diminish what you have. Someday Mazda will sell a crossover named the Miata, and while I'll be sad (since it means that they probably don't sell a fun convertible anymore), I won't care about the fact that it shares a name with my car. 

404 - User No Longer Available > ImmoralMinority 12/13/2018 at 10:34

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But the fact is from a business standpoint, the icons don’t make business sense today.

JV is the economical way of even making it feasible. Besides... it’s not JVs ruining names, it’s manufacturers themselves .

Captain of the Enterprise > ImmoralMinority 12/13/2018 at 10:36

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I don’t like it either, why are we taking the worst part of Subaru and putting in Toyota’s. I want a reliable fun car not a head gasket time bomb. Also the Supra will probably have BMW problems now which defeats the point. Just make an actual Toyota fun car. 

daender > ImmoralMinority 12/13/2018 at 19:14

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To be honest, as much as you’d dislike calling the GT86 a Celica, I bet Toyota could’ve sold even more had they marketed it under that model name and cashed- in on the wave of old nameplates making a return.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > WilliamsSW 12/13/2018 at 23:09

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I’ve been saying this since 2009, before FT86 became as over-hyped as a pre-release that the Supra now is.

AE86 was not the right car to resurrect as a “handling” car. SW20 should have been, with a Subaru drivetrain, and 2WD converted 6-speed manual or auto, or DCT.

There is no chance now from Toyota/Subaru or Mazda/whomever else to do an MR2 style car, with a PHEV drive unit in place of the gearbox longitudinally behind the rear diff and engine.