Photo: X-Tomi Design
It's funny how the Miata, which originally copied British sportscars, is now considered the classic, affordable roadster. With three very successful generations and a fourth now in showrooms, the MX-5 now even has a copycat.
Last week, Toyota presented a concept car called the S-FR, which previewed a tiny four-seater coupe we've heard rumors about before. The entry-level machine from the Prius makers would/will have a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine producing 130 horsepower for the rear wheels to enjoy via a manual gearbox.
Of course, the all-new Miata has exactly the same setup. Zoom-Zoom engineers replaced the old 1.8-liter base model with a 1.5-liter Skyactiv-G. It's mechanically similar to the one used by the Mazda2, but revs easily to 7,000rpm and produces 131 PS.
The Toyota S-FR concept is both different and similar to the Miata ND. For example, it also weighs about a ton and measures less than four meters from one bumper to the other. However, it won't be available with a 2-liter engine because that would overlap with the GT 86.
Another major difference is that it's a 2+2 coupe, not a roadster. While Toyota might have its reasons, we disagree with their decision. To enjoy an underpowered sportscar, you need an open-top configuration and a cabin that cocoons you. That's why we like this next rendering, created by X-Tomi Design. He took the idea of a Miata competitor further and chopped the roof off.
Of course, the hypothetical roadster derivative would have to be a bit heavier than the proposed 980 kg (2,160 lbs) coupe. But it can't be by that much since you're going to ditch the rear seats anyway.
Still, we can't get our hopes up. Let's not forget that Toyota didn't want to make a convertible version of the GT 86, despite showing a concept.
Of course, the all-new Miata has exactly the same setup. Zoom-Zoom engineers replaced the old 1.8-liter base model with a 1.5-liter Skyactiv-G. It's mechanically similar to the one used by the Mazda2, but revs easily to 7,000rpm and produces 131 PS.
The Toyota S-FR concept is both different and similar to the Miata ND. For example, it also weighs about a ton and measures less than four meters from one bumper to the other. However, it won't be available with a 2-liter engine because that would overlap with the GT 86.
Another major difference is that it's a 2+2 coupe, not a roadster. While Toyota might have its reasons, we disagree with their decision. To enjoy an underpowered sportscar, you need an open-top configuration and a cabin that cocoons you. That's why we like this next rendering, created by X-Tomi Design. He took the idea of a Miata competitor further and chopped the roof off.
Of course, the hypothetical roadster derivative would have to be a bit heavier than the proposed 980 kg (2,160 lbs) coupe. But it can't be by that much since you're going to ditch the rear seats anyway.
Still, we can't get our hopes up. Let's not forget that Toyota didn't want to make a convertible version of the GT 86, despite showing a concept.
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