Toyota has unveiled images and details of an entry level sports car concept, named S-FR, that will be premiered at the Tokyo Motor Show this month. The small sized car is based on a lightweight front engine and rear wheel driven format. The production version of the car could make its way to production lines by 2018.
Dimensionally, the S-FR concept is just 3990 mm long, 1695 mm wide, 1320 mm tall and gets a wheelbase of 2480 mm and will have 4 seats inside the cabin. These attributes are close to the premium hatchbacks we have in India, like the Elite i20 & Honda Jazz. These compact dimensions encapsulate the quirky and simple looks of this car.
The design scheme looks inspired by the classic hardtop coupe setup that has a long hood, a compact cabin along with a sloping roofline. The front gets a gaping mesh-type front grille flanked by round foglamp, while the elliptically swept back headlamps with a unique DRL layout sit a little higher and flat on the hood – again a classic sports car setup. The sides are simple with a subtle shoulder crease and rear view mirrors mounted on the door flank while a set of diamond cut 8-spoke alloy wheels could also be noticed. Move to the back and a taillamp cluster with concentric rings of blacked-out and clear glass could be seen, an integrated spoiler will control the aerodynamics while a diffuser-ish rear bumper looks sporty too.
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Inside the cockpit, Toyota has decided to carry the same simplicity of the outside and there isn’t much going on the dash with a driver based central console and a few storage spaces. The yellow color from the outside is evident in the yellow piping and trims on seats and central console. The multifunction steering wheel gets trackpad sort of controls and is backed by a fully digital instrument cluster. Also, a 6-speed manual tranny stick could be noticed, but it still remains a mystery that to which engine it is mated to.
Speaking of the motor, though there is no confirmation from Toyota’s end, but in a rumor that broke early this year, it came up that the manufacturer was developing a 980-Kg-ed sports car that will sit under their GT86 sports car and will be powered by a 130 Bhp 1.5-litre engine.
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Why Ideal for India?
Given S-FR’s compact size and a possible 1.5-litre petrol engine it would be a fairly low-cost car, could be around 12-15 lacs bracket in our currency. With cars like the Polo GT TSI, Ford Figo 1.5 TiVCT and the upcoming Abarth stinger- the Punto Evo slowly nurturing in India, Toyota might consider bringing something like the S-FR. And with our rising interest in performance cars more manufacturers are taking measures by bringing in their tuning wings like the AMG, the M-Division and the Audi RS lineup.