Toyota planning radical Caterham rival

Japanese giant will bring a stripped-back, three-seater Caterham Seven rival to the Tokyo show in October

Toyota Caterham rival

Toyota is planning a shocking surprise for the Tokyo motor show in October, in the form of a radical three-seat, open-wheel sports car concept inspired by the Lotus/Caterham 7. What's more, our source has revealed that if it gets the thumbs-up from the press and public, the world's biggest car-maker will seriously consider building it. Alongside the GT 86, it continues Toyota's attempts to stimulate Japan's youth into becoming the next generation of car buyers. “Such cars must grab kids’ imaginations and hopefully give them an interest in owning and driving cars in the future,” said our insider. It will incorporate a narrow front-end, exposed suspension arms and a staggered seat layout with a central driver’s seat. On the move, the front-engined, rear-drive sports coupe promises driving thrills like no Toyota before it.

 Rumoured to boast an overall length of 3700mm, a 1730mm width and a kerb weight of just 700kg thanks to extensive use of carbon-fibre, the three-seater will be powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid unit generating around 75kW through a CVT gearbox. Toyota is believed to be targeting fuel consumption over 140mpg. Despite its size, engine specs and power-to-weight ratio, our source says Toyota sees its three-seater as a direct competitor for Mazda’s new MX-5 and the Honda S660. If it's approved for production, Toyota’s radical new open-wheel sports car should make its showroom-ready debut within two years of the concept's world premiere, meaning an appearnace at the 2017 Frankfurt show. Global sales – at a starting price of under £18,000 – should commence in 2018.

Now read our review of the Honda S660, a new sports car for the Japanese market.

Recommended

Best new cars coming in 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024 - header image
Best cars & vans

Best new cars coming in 2024

There are some big new models from the likes of Audi, BMW, Citroen, Ford, MINI, Skoda and more on the way in 2024
20 Nov 2023
New Toyota Proace Max arrives to complete an updated van lineup
Toyota Proace Max
News

New Toyota Proace Max arrives to complete an updated van lineup

Toyota has completed its van range with the launch of the Proace Max large panel van and it’s updated all the other LCV models so they don’t feel left…
15 Nov 2023
New Toyota FJ Bruiser Concept makes monster trucks look modest
Toyota FJ Bruiser Concept - front
News

New Toyota FJ Bruiser Concept makes monster trucks look modest

This bonkers celebration of Toyota Land Cruiser’s heritage is one of a dozen cars Toyota has brought to SEMA 2023
1 Nov 2023
Toyota FT-3e concept teases future flagship electric SUV
Toyota FT-3e - front
News

Toyota FT-3e concept teases future flagship electric SUV

Production version of new FT-3e concept could serve as a Polestar 3 rival and big brother to the mid-size Toyota bZ4X
25 Oct 2023

Most Popular

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed
Dacia Duster - front
News

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed

Dacia has taken the wraps off the latest Duster, which arrives with a new look and fresh technology
29 Nov 2023
The paper-thin speakers set to transform car audio
Auto Express editor-in-chief Steve Fowler holding a speaker developed by Warwick Acoustics
Features

The paper-thin speakers set to transform car audio

British firm is planning to shake up the in-car hi-fi world with its audio panels that replace traditional speakers. We sound them out
27 Nov 2023
New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash
BMW Neue Klasse SUV exclusive image - front
News

New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash

BMW’s first Neue Klasse electric SUV could carry the iX3 nameplate and our exclusive images preview how it might look
30 Nov 2023