TOYOTA的陰謀~ 入主SUBARU 為取得底盤/引擎技術

2005年車壇最大新聞，莫過於日本TOYOTA從美國GM手中拿下SUBARU的股權，當然這也讓各界猜測TOYOTA應該有什麼樣的目的，結果2008年1月初TOYOTA正式宣布將開發FR小型跑車計畫，所有底盤與引擎技術全數來自SUBARU，這也讓TOYOTA的陰謀更為明顯。


根據了解，TOYOTA確定在2009年所推出的FR小跑車，其底盤結構與引擎系統都來自SUBARU，也就是和現行款Impreza共用，因為對TOYOTA來說，若再投入更多資金開發平台與動力心臟肯定不符成本，且過去也曾提到TOYOTA本身的造車技術平平，許多技術需靠外援才有辦法達成，所以要設計出以操控為優先考量的FR小跑車，勢必要從其他車廠獲得資源，當然新夥伴SUBARU的底盤和動力技術就成為TOYOTA最想獲得之處，主要是TOYOTA本身在底盤和動力上的技術，仍侷限在傳統國民車方面，對於性能部分和其他車廠仍有段距離，為了能以最少資金獲得最大利益，當然就是從其他車廠取得長處。

而這款掛上TOYOTA廠徽的後驅雙門版SUBARU Impreza，是以SUBARU SI底盤結構為基礎，軸距從2625mm縮短為2500mm，希望藉由短軸距達到更佳的操控樂趣，而原本引擎的位置將稍微調降，來降低重心使車身更穩。而引擎部分則是SUBARU最傲人的水平對臥四缸引擎，但是否會採用渦輪增壓則須視這款FR有沒有配置四輪驅動系統，因為EJ20在加上渦輪增壓後，輸出扭力將突破25.0kgm，而這也會是後輪軸的極限，當然也增加成本，猜測屆時將可能採用自然進氣模式，讓馬力與扭力值為200hp/21.0kgm。

另外還有一說，就是TOYOTA可能會採用類似MITSUBISHI MiEV輪內馬達驅動的技術，不過既然要將售價壓在日幣200萬圓（新台幣60.6萬元）以內，對於以獲利為前提的TOYOTA來說這種高單價科技應不會出現。

所以TOYOTA之所以選擇SUBARU，原本大家都猜測乃覬覦富士重工的航太工業，其結果並沒有想像中的複雜，而是希望能得到SUBARU最傲人的水平對臥動力技術和底盤設計功力，不過隨著FR小跑車計畫浮上檯面，倒也讓是人更清楚TOYOTA的陰謀。


車長（mm）
4100

車寬（mm）
1720

車高（mm）
1400

軸距（mm）
2500

引擎型式
EJ20水平對臥四缸

排氣量（cc）
1994

最大馬力（hp/rpm）
200/7000

最大扭力（hp/rpm）
21.0/4500

車體重量（kg）
1100

馬力重量比（kg/hp）
5.5

GRB大概就是TOYOTA的傑作吧

這台車在96年12月的台北車展有展出過
那時我看了只覺得...少了頭又大的馬克
這台車真的就蠻正點的~~~

The next President of Toyota Motor Co. Akio Toyoda gives us a little more insight into the Toyota/Subaru compact FR sports car.

In a press interview at the Tokyo Auto Salon last month, the next President of Toyota Motor Co. Akio Toyoda was asked many questions about where Toyota was heading and also one question which might be of particular interest to Japanese sports car enthusiasts, “How’s the development coming along regarding the sports car jointly developed with Subaru?” This question was answered in 3 parts:

Project Moving Ahead

Despite some reports to the contrary, the Toyota/Subaru compact FR sports car was not cancelled (even partially) and will continue to go ahead. It is seen as a vital part of Toyota’s “rejuvenation” efforts and reflects the company’s desire to develop a car that appeals to the younger generation of car enthusiasts. Having a FR sports car at the entry level end of the market is Toyota’s way of cementing its image as an rejuvenated car company and will surely dominate the segment as its competitors struggle to keep up.

Codename: “086A”, Delayed Production

Development of the body and chassis is complete and we’re told the development code for the new FR sports car is “086A”. The numerals “86″ should make fans of the now legendary AE86 Sprinter Trueno/Corolla Levin happy as it’s rumored that the numbers will be carried over as the chassis designation. It was thought that the freeze put on construction of the new Subaru factory slated to produce the Toyota/Subaru sports car was the main reason for delays in production, but this is actually in no way related and the real reason for the delay is that production will postponed for several months so that D-4S direct injection could be applied to the flat-4 boxer engine. Production will be postponed until March 2012.

Price Unchanged

Akio Toyoda also confirmed that the price of the Toyota/Subaru compact sports car is still 2,000,000 yen and that there will be no changes to the original plan to build an affordable entry-level sports car. The car is seen to be a formidable model when it joins Toyota’s line up as it will surely push the boundaries of a market segment occupied by front wheel drive compact cars.

Words: Justin Karow

Image: Holiday Auto