We’ll have to wait until October to see if the concept actually comes to fruition, but it is being reported that Toyota is developing a light-weight sports car in the same vein as the Lotus Seven. The open-wheel sports car is reportedly being championed by Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda, who also spurred development of the Scion FR-S and Lexus RC.
According to Australia’s Motoring, the dedicated sports car will stretch about 12-feet in length and will weigh just north of 1,500 pounds. The unnamed sports car, which will use carbon fiber for most of its construction, is also tipped to feature a unique 1+2 seating arrangement not unlike the McLaren F1.
Power for the three-seater will be provided by a 1.5L four-cylinder paired with an electric hybrid drive. Total output will be around 100 horsepower, which should scoot the lightweight car around just fine. Unfortunately, a continuously variable transmission might be the only gearbox on offer.
If the reaction to the concept is favorable, a production version of the car might launch as soon as 2018. A price point of $30,000 has been mentioned, but it’s a little too early to nail down a specific figure.
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