The Toyota S-FR Concept Is A Pint-Sized RWD Miata Fighter
By Paulo Acoba
Toyota is bringing three concepts to the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show but this pint-sized sports car has the entire car community abuzz.
Back in June of this year, Toyota trademarked the name SF-R and everyone lost their minds and thought it was the Supra reborn. Earlier yesterday (Oct. 7, 2015) Toyota squashed all those rumors by unveiling what the SF-R really is, a small rear-wheel drive sports car that’s 9/10’s the size of a Scion FR-S. According to Toyota, SF-R stands for Small, Front engine rear wheel drive coupe. With a 2+2 seating configuration, it’s designed to be an entry-level sports coupe, and yes it’s very much headed to production.
Anyone who’s grown up in the mid to late 60’s or has parents who did may very well remember the Toyota Sports 800. Like the Toyota SF-R, it too is a tiny rear wheel drive sports coupe. Although they were never sold in the United States, a handful of them where imported to the states. The Toyota S-FR concept clearly draws design language lineage from one of Toyota’s earliest sports car entries.
Toyota was particularly sparse with details about the powertrain and performance, but according to Car and Driver you can expect to find a 1.5-liter NA four cylinder good for 130 HP. Pair that motor to a 2160 pound coupe and you have a recipe for cheap motoring fun. Power will be routed through a six-speed manual transmission.
"The concept’s long nose and wide stance make for an archetypal sports car profile, while the familiar roundness of its frame inspires a feeling of closeness. The simple and modern finish of the interior rounds off a design that stresses approachable simplicity while conveying the vehicle’s performance and sporty spirit."
Dimensions wise, the Toyota S-FR slots right in between the Scion FR-S and the Mazda Miata. The Toyota S-FR has a wheelbase of 97.6 inches (compared to the FR-S’s 101.2 inch wheelbase and the Miata’s 90.9 inch wheelbase.) The same can be said for the length and height when compared to the FR-S and Miata.
"The full-fledged FR layout gives the engine a front midship location. Optimal weight distribution and independent suspension make for outstanding cornering performance…The Toyota S-FR was conceptualized as the kind of vehicle that attracts its own die-hard fan base, whose members love driving and customizing it."
Those last two words hint that Toyota expects a strong aftermarket following for this little sports car. We expect that 130 HP, while plenty for around the town driving and highway jaunts, won’t satisfy the itch of dedicated import tuners. Expect twice the power thanks to forced induction or a good ol’ motor swap. Like with all modifications, the possibilities will be endless.
Interior- PC: Toyota
Shifter- PC:Toyota
Logo-PC: Toyota
Toyota S-FR- PC:Toyota
Interior- PC: Toyota
Gauge Cluster- PC:Toyota
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