Production Toyota Sports Car Could Target Mazda MX-5 Miata Faithful Soon
The Mazda MX-5 Miata has enjoyed a lengthy tenure of small, affordable roadster segment dominance. More recently, the MX-5’s only natural rivals are the twins: the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ. However, both boxer-engined cars are coupe-only, offering no convertible option. Fortunately, recent rumors suggest that a production Toyota sports car, not unlike the S-FR concept, could challenge the Miata’s drop-top monopoly.
An S-FR-esque Toyota sports car could mean serious competition for the increasingly expensive Mazda MX-5 Miata
In 2015, the world met the Toyota S-FR, a short-wheelbase concept sports car to rival the immortal Mazda MX-5 Miata. However, if you’ve spent time on American roads, you’ll know that Toyota doesn’t have a convertible competitor for the MX-5. No, the Miata, like the cheese, stands alone.
However, recent rumors out of Japan suggest renewed interest within the halls of Toyota to take on Mazda’s iconic roadster. According to the Japanese automotive magazine Best Car, the “Toyota S-FR development plan has been restarted!”
It’s good news for compact sports car fans. If the diminutive two-door Toyota sports car reaches North American shores, it will join the GR Supra and GR86 in the marque’s current lineup of performance models.
A production version of the concept car, a Toyota-Suzuki-Daihatsu collaboration, has the potential to be a competitive rival to the Mazda MX-5 Miata. One glance at the S-FR reveals quirky, almost cute styling. Round lamps like those in the now-discontinued Alfa Romeo 4C’s rear end and the MINI Cooper’s fascia dominate the S-FR’s look.
Pair those with a Miata-esque shape, short wheelbase, and front-engine layout, and the MX-5 could have a serious, closely comparable rival for the first time in years. Oh, and did someone say manual transmission? The concept car was a three-pedal setup, so we expect a Miata-fighting manual in the production model.
