The new Subaru Celica

[TheIntrepid]

The rumor mill is up and running again this week, churning out reports of a new Toyota Celica. While the Toyota line-up once included a variety of sports-coupes, since the cancellation of the Supra, MR2 and Celica, it's had nothing but sedans, hatchbacks, vans and trucks to offer. Rumor has it that a new Celica is on the way, to be built by Subaru, in whose parent company Fuji Heavy Industries Toyota acquired significant stake back in 2005.

If reports out of Japan's BestCar are to be believed, the new Celica will come in two versions: the base GT, with a naturally-aspirated 2-liter Subaru boxer four driving the rear wheels, and a hopped-up GT-Four version with the 300-hp turbo engine from the JDM Impreza STi and all-wheel-drive. The GT-Four could also be a sort of performance hybrid, gaining small electric motors in each of the four wheels. Both the GT and GT-Four are tipped to be available in either two-door or three-door bodystyles, since the Impreza is offered only as a sedan and five-door for this current generation. The new Celica, the styling of which could draw on the FT-HS concept car from last year's Detroit show (pictured above), is reportedly being readied for a launch in Japan next year.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/04/rumormill-subaru-to-build-new-toyota-celica/

[Cookie Monster]

RWD???

[Soup DeVille]

It really doesn't make a lot of sense to make a RWD-only car based on the normal Subie drivetrain.

[CALL_911]

It really doesn't make a lot of sense to make a RWD-only car based on the normal Subie drivetrain.

That's what I thought.

[Soup DeVille]

That's what I thought.

Now, If they were to make it mid engined...

[the Teuton]

This sounds like a good concept, but I wonder what transmission they will use for a RWD model.

[Rupert]

Hehehe... Toyobaru!

[giant_mtb]

Bore-ota needs to leave Subaru's stuff alone.   

[sportyaccordy]

Why would it be a bad idea?

The boxer is already placed for RWD usage. All they need to do is get some generic RWD transmission. I'm all for it, though I wish they'd use a regular 4-cyl motor.

[nickdrinkwater]

Why would Subaru make it?

I'd rather it be a Toyota.  It's more likely to be a good car and it will actually be a Celica.  Why are they calling it a new Celica if it's made by Subaru anyway?  Toyota don't have any input into Subaru products.

[Raza]

Why would Subaru make it?

I'd rather it be a Toyota.  It's more likely to be a good car and it will actually be a Celica.  Why are they calling it a new Celica if it's made by Subaru anyway?  Toyota don't have any input into Subaru products.

But they do own a sizable portion of Fuji Heavy.

[the Teuton]

But they do own a sizable portion of Fuji Heavy.

If nine percent is considered sizeable.  I still wish GM owned their 20 percent.

[MX793]

Why would Subaru make it?

I'd rather it be a Toyota.  It's more likely to be a good car and it will actually be a Celica.  Why are they calling it a new Celica if it's made by Subaru anyway?  Toyota don't have any input into Subaru products.

GM didn't have any great say in Subaru's products when they owned a stake in Fuji HI, but Subaru made an Impreza rebadge for GM's Saab division.

[TBR]

Why would Subaru make it?

I'd rather it be a Toyota.  It's more likely to be a good car and it will actually be a Celica.  Why are they calling it a new Celica if it's made by Subaru anyway?  Toyota don't have any input into Subaru products.

What now?



Not even close...

[TheIntrepid]

Both are excellent cars in their own way.

[the Teuton]

Both are excellent cars in their own way.

Put a Camry SE V6 and a Legacy Spec.B on Leguna Seca.  One deserves to be there, the other will find itself in a sandbank after it slides off the road.

[CALL_911]

Both are excellent cars in their own way.

One is an excellent all-round car. The other is excellent for treating insomnia.

[CALL_911]

Are you saying that if  Heath Ledger had bought a Camry, he might still be alive today?

Es posibl?.

[the Teuton]

Too soon.

Sorry.  I shall delete my original post and suggest everyone delete theirs.

[Soup DeVille]

Why would it be a bad idea?

The boxer is already placed for RWD usage. All they need to do is get some generic RWD transmission. I'm all for it, though I wish they'd use a regular 4-cyl motor.

It's placed well in front of the front wheels so that the center and front diffs line up with the front axle nine.

It would make much mor sense if they were to move it backwards considerably: otherwise you'd have the weight distribution problems of an AWD or FWD car and the rear wheels being driven.

[S204STi]

Why would Subaru make it?

Toyota is already utilizing Subaru's under-used Indiana plant to built its cars, so this is a logical forward step.

[FordSVT]

That concept is fideous. <- That's my new word today.

[nickdrinkwater]

What now?



Not even close...

ANYTHING > New Impreza

is all I will say.

[Raza]

That concept is fideous. <- That's my new word today.

It looks like a Toyota version of the GT-R.  And the GT-R is already ugly. 

[the Teuton]

ANYTHING > New Impreza

is all I will say.

Don't judge a very ugly book by its cover.  The Imp is still a very good car.

[nickdrinkwater]

Don't judge a very ugly book by its cover.  The Imp is still a very good car.

Says who?

I'm not judging it by its looks.  The reviews I've read have been far from complimentary, at least in the British press.  Evo slated it and even Auto Express, which is the tabloid of car magazines, gave it some strong criticism.

[Raza]

Says who?

I'm not judging it by its looks.  The reviews I've read have been far from complimentary, at least in the British press.  Evo slated it and even Auto Express, which is the tabloid of car magazines, gave it some strong criticism.

It's the best handling car in the world. 

EDIT:  Ouch, the STI got three stars in Evo.  My Passat (albeit with just 150bhp) got three stars when they revised their rating system.

[the Teuton]

It's the best handling car in the world. 

This one isn't.

[Cookie Monster]

It's the best handling car in the world. 

EDIT:  Ouch, the STI got three stars in Evo.  My Passat (albeit with just 150bhp) got three stars when they revised their rating system.

No, only Teuton's car is the best handling car in the world.

[the Teuton]

No, only Teuton's car is the best handling car in the world.

No but...

> You.