'Toyobaru' the power of two

Subaru's concept. Photo / Supplied

Toyota has unveiled the FR-S Concept, a rear-drive sports car it will share with fellow Japanese carmaker Subaru.

The two companies are collaborating on the two-door coupe, a cheaper hard-topped competitor to the Mazda MX-5 convertible, which starts in price at $51,100 in New Zealand.

Like the Mazda, the shared "Toyobaru" platform combines a low-output four-cylinder engine - a flat-four boxer supplied by Subaru - with a lightweight chassis that provides good dynamics with low fuel use.

However, while Toyota's version of the car has taken another step towards becoming a showroom reality, Subaru is yet to show its version in public - or even give it a name.

Akihide Takeuchi, project general manager for Subaru's product and portfolio planning division, says the carmaker is not yet ready to reveal its plans for the car. "We're working on it, and it is progressing very well," he says. "We are looking to show this car in spring."

The low-slung Scion concept - it wears the name for Toyota's youth brand sold in the US - has a front mid-mounted 2-litre four-cylinder engine fitted with a Toyota-developed direct injection system.

The design allows the engine and gearbox to be placed very low in the car, giving it a low centre of gravity for improved dynamics.

Details are scant, but the carmaker has revealed that the FR-S engine will be mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox with paddle shifts, driving the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential.

According to Takeuchi, the challenge for Subaru will be making its version unique from Toyota's interpretation.

"Subaru is thinking about the aura we want to give the car," he says. "We are still tuning the car."

According to Scion vice-president Jack Hollis, the concept car's FR-S name reflects its layout - a front-engined, rear-drive sports car. "I reckon it should stand for 'friggin' really sweet'," he says.

"It will have that pure balance where you can hit the braking zone, hit the apex and then accelerate out of the corner," he says.

It's part of the revamp of products envisioned by Toyota president Akio Toyoda, an avid race car driver.

"Akio has made it clear that he wants to bring the 'fun-to-drive' spirit back to Toyota," Hollis said.

The concept car sits on big 20-inch wheels, with the 8-inch wide front wheels dominated by the 10-inch wide rears.

Motorcycle-style fixed brake callipers sit inside the rims to provide stopping power.

Hollis says the two-plus-two interior of the FR-S that utilises fold-flat rear seats to give it true versatility "shares the same aggressive DNA" as the car's exterior.

"It is a concept that will inspire a vehicle that we will bring to market next year," Hollis says.

No word yet about the FR-S being available in New Zealand and Australia.