Toyota may build Supra convertible / targa instead of 86 convertible

What roof options would you like to see available

  • Convertible

    Votes: 5 6.8%
  • Targa

    Votes: 41 56.2%
  • Hardtop only!

    Votes: 27 37.0%

  • Total voters
    73

NeroZ

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ft-1_729-620x349.jpg


Toyota is turning its attention to ripping the roof of its yet-to-be-revived Supra sports car rather than pushing forward a convertible version of its more affordable Toyota 86 coupe.

The chief engineer in charge of both vehicles, Tetsuya Tada, spoke to Drive at last weekend's Nurburgring 24-hour race, where he was overseeing a three car Gazoo Racing outfit that included the president of Japanese car maker, Akio Toyoda, driving an LFA to a class victory.

He says that while he hasn't "given up" on the prospect of a convertible 86, which is ready for production after it was first shown as a concept at last year's Geneva motor show and updated in right-hand drive for the Tokyo show, the economic downturn in Europe and slowing sales for the 86 in the US are making it difficult to justify the additional costs.

Instead, Tada says it may be easier to build a viable business case for a convertible variant of the more expensive sports car currently under development in partnership with BMW, which is expected to revive the Supra name plate.

"There are many business case study going on, [but] as we speak it is very hard to realise," he said.

"There are many articles regarding another sports model from Toyota up higher from 86. I'm thinking convertible model will be on higher model ... maybe."

"Our final goal [is that] we want to do three sports models from Toyota and at least one convertible model will be realistic."

Tada said the stunning FT-One the brand showed at the Detroit motor show in January is just the first of a number of concept cars the company will use to gauge reaction from customers on the styling of the Supra.

He said the final production car will most likely adopt the front-engined layout of the concept - and past Supras - but also admitted a mid-engined supercar was also being considered.

Tada is, however, remaining tight lipped on what will power Toyota's new flagships and just what level of components will be shared with BMW, which is rumoured to be using the project to create a new roadster above the Z4.

"FT-One is the first of the design studies and there are no technical or mechanical requirements yet," he said.

"We will make this more clear in the future."

While Tada is reluctant to discuss details of the third sports car in Toyota's trio, except to say it will be the "entry" model, one concept he all but quashed is the much-rumoured four-door version of the 86.

"Of course, this is possible technically speaking," he said.

"I think this is okay from a philosophy point of view, but always the business case is the most difficult point to bring this to the market

"We are studying this, but [more likely] this is pure concept."
http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/...nvertible-over-droptop-86-20140624-zsjib.html

Came across this article today. Maybe we'll see a vert concept soon...?
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black-supra

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TBH i'd rather not see a Supra vert, for selfish reasons since the more options/body styles the more expensive a car tends to be with all those costs built into the base price.

That also means they need to put extra bracing into the pillars (of both coupe and convertible) to account for the fact that there will be a convertible that needs to meet rollover requirements = more weight.
 

daboss

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The most interesting thing about this article has nothing to do with the convertible.... Tada san pretty much confirmed their future sports car line up!
 

MATT

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If they wanna sell the most cars to the most people, a convertible is a must for a sports car. How else can you compete against the mid-life crisis guys who want to feel the wind in their gray hairs as they're cruising :p
 

FXuser

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"Tada said the stunning FT-One the brand showed at the Detroit motor show in January is just the first of a number of concept cars the company will use to gauge reaction from customers on the styling of the Supra."

Wonder just how many "a number of concept cars" really is?
 

TorqueRules

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If they wanna sell the most cars to the most people, a convertible is a must for a sports car. How else can you compete against the mid-life crisis guys who want to feel the wind in their gray hairs as they're cruising :p
FR-S is doing just fine without one. Just not sure why a convertible on a lower volume/more expensive model would be more viable than a mid-level one
 

910ps

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He says the more expensive model has a more viable business case for the vert. It makes sense, it is being co developed with BMW and will have higher margins and bigger budget to play with.
 
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NeroZ

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"Tada said the stunning FT-One the brand showed at the Detroit motor show in January is just the first of a number of concept cars the company will use to gauge reaction from customers on the styling of the Supra."

Wonder just how many "a number of concept cars" really is?
It does sound like this whole concept to production is being fasttracked either that or they really wanna flesh out public reaction. 2 concepts within 6 or so months of each other is pretty aggressive and this is hinting at possibly more coming.
 

__WRC__

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That convertible photoshop doesn't look bad. Need side view!
 

black-supra

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A targa is a must on the Supra, if they want it to represent the spirit of the MKIV. Make it standard on all turbo models (assuming MKV has the same model tiering)
 

dsubrosa

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The most interesting thing about this article has nothing to do with the convertible.... Tada san pretty much confirmed their future sports car line up!
The 3 sports car plans hasn't really been a secret. Only question is which 3.
 

divinesteer

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There are few benefits besides blowed out hair that a vert has over a targa top. In terms of performance, cost, complexity, weight, it all favors the targa top.

Not to mention it just looks so much cooler and it would look like a SUPRA.
 

bballr35

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The 3 sports car plans hasn't really been a secret. Only question is which 3.
Supra as the flagship, FRS/BRZ has the mid level and either a Celica or MR-2 revival.....all assuming they dont create a whole new nameplate.
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