Toyota 086A

[tuckevalastin]

The sporty compact car Subaru and Toyota were developing together has been put on hold because of the worldwide economic slowdown, both companies confirm.

The program had been developing a pair of sporty small cars for sale by both automakers in 2011. The companies' other high-profile collaboration, the assembly of Toyota Camrys in Subaru's Lafayette, Ind., plant, remains intact.

Toyota took a small stake in Subaru when GM ended its relationship with the all-wheel drive specialist in 2005.

The 2+2 compact sporty car had been slated to use a version of the Subaru Impreza's platform, horizontally opposed boxer engine and transmission. It reportedly modified Subaru's all-wheel drive drivetrain to a rear-drive setup and moved the engine slightly rearward in the chassis to improve weight distribution.

The car would have filled one of the few obvious gaps in Toyota's lineup, a small and affordable sporty car.

It would also have given Subaru a performance model priced below the $24,995 all-wheel drive Impreza WRX.

The Toyota and Subaru models reportedly had different exterior designs.

By Mark Phelan

Don't get too excited

[ChinoCharles]

Sweet mother is that car sexy.

[Nagoya_TRD.]

I think the Hyundai Genesis/Genesis 2.0L R-Spec is going to destroy this market. Toyota needs to do a bit to compete on a similar performance, price, warranty and aftermarket appeal.

[Saggio]

Originally Posted by Nagoya_TRD.

I think the Hyundai Genesis/Genesis 2.0L R-Spec is going to destroy this market. Toyota needs to do a bit to compete on a similar performance, price, warranty and aftermarket appeal.

I agree