The Miata fighter Toyota never made - What Happened to the S-FR?

[@chezzyperson3339]

I never heard of this before and you should do more videos about concept cars that didn’t make it to production but SFR sounds like a Scion

[@butterflywingsbullet]

That Toyota car with updated lights would have been so good in today's market, probably even with hybrid option. My 24 year old son just bought a 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata base model excellent condition under 50K miles last month, it is his first car ever. He had been using my old 2015 Honda Fit EX before he got his own car.

[@JesusMartinez-wx5jy]

The SFR looks so adorable. I’d drive one and boost it

[@dimagass7801]

Supposedly it'll have a turbo, and hopefully the G16-E engine which is only 3 cylinders but they are THICK, I'd buy it THE DAY it's relaased

[@SereneSpeed]

Japanese Nostalgic Car did a story in ‘21 about how the SFR was actually built on the Miata chassis. Made some reasonable points.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

Toyota: No more boring cars Also Toyota: We are too scared to make an affordable convertible

[@olavofernandes7286]

Daihatsu copen is convertible brand owned by toyota

[@justaformer11b95]

If they called this little car the Sports 800, it would sell like hot cakes.

[@ChroniclesofKToyoda]

Sports 1500, especially if it followed Toyota's original Boxer engine design!

[@olavofernandes7286]

This car pays tribute to that

[@justaformer11b95]

@@olavofernandes7286 that’s why I feel it would sell so well if named after it.

[@olavofernandes7286]

@@justaformer11b95 it was in strange time when toyota gt86 got a face lift and Toyota ch-r made it's debute

[@ChroniclesofKToyoda]

I mean that's what the Honda S2000 was, a newer version of Honda's old S_00 convertibles, but I don't think Toyota needs a big engine to do that since the 2.4 boxer 4 already covers Toyota's old boxer sports car engine wise What we need is another car similar to the rear drive Starlet with a truly small engine, no bigger than 1,600cc MAX to cover the featherweight nimbleness aspect

[@byhsu6140]

That is a nice looking compact sports car. I used to get that model and tune up to race in gran turismo game. I think with the 1.6 turbo from the GR Yaris, it would be fast.

[@d.w.j.1114]

This car with the GR Yaris or Corolla engine would have been an absolute riot. I can't believe this concept is that old already

[@alimentar9809]

Next gen gr86 should get a roadster version

[@jonrice13]

LOVE THIS SERIES! KEEP IT GOING KIRK!

[@lickonrye4774]

it would be amazing if we could get this toyota

[@franzvanjulio5523]

If this was in the market I’d buy it. Small. Nimble. Fun. That’s all I need.

[@masonpuu8597]

Bring back the mr2 then

[@Wild-Wisdom]

Interesting. 300hp in that would be a blast

[@rightlanehog3151]

Kirk, Just when I thought I would never shed another tear over this monumental, lost-affordable-sports-car opportunity from Toyota, you had to do a full video on the S-FR and open up all those old wounds. 😂One thing is for sure, I have ZERO interest in a Toyota sports car contaminated with Subaru or BMW components. The GR Yaris and GR Corolla prove Toyota does not need help from anybody to build a performance car. Bring on the sensible, affordable 100% Toyota S-FR!!!!! Just make sure that unlike the Miata, those of us over 6 feet can fit inside🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@bradyg499]

facts

[@dephataznboi]

I was actually keeping tabs on this idea of a car ever since the concept got announced. Ended up with the MR-S instead since it was one of the closest attainable cars to a SFR. I think I would've loved an updated car such as the SFR, but I love the analog feel of my MR-S.

[@dannyphamous]

Love it! Wish it was an option. Would watch all your videos in your what if series

[@CliveMcCalla]

Even though I drove it's conception on the PS GT Sport game.. It seem like it would have been a great car to drive on the real. I definitely would have love to have seen it go into production. The specs on it was on point and it would have been a hit in the aftermarket segment.

[@charlesbarreto8988]

Really enjoyed this segment Kirk! I remember this vehicle in Gran Turismo and was excited to think Toyota was possibly going to release this vehicle in America. Depressing to think they never pushed forward with it.

[@Club-Version]

I remember writing a letter to Toyota when this had come out.

[@nintendoatarikiller]

I think there's more going on behind the scenes than we know. Akio Toyoda brought us the Supra, GR86, GR Yaris and GR Corolla. Why couldn't he make the SF-R happen? Timeline wise, the CH-R was being developed around the same time, so by the time the CH-R released, the SF-R should have been right behind it for possibly a 2017MY release. My guess is that no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't pass crash safety ratings with what is essentially a kei-car and weren't willing to compromise on styling or weight. But Mazda got the ND to pass crash safety tests. Why didn't Toyota use the ND platform like Fiat? So many questions. I hope Kirk can ask a Toyota engineer at the 4Runner or Camry press event.

[@chair6180]

The seats in the back is to lower insurance rate. Take it out, put in a roll cage.

[@tylertullis6536]

I'd love to see a similar format video on the Nissan iDx concept

[@romairoblackstock5100]

Love this new series Kirk. Next up the Lexus LQ Concept.

[@sethi100]

Would be great if this came to market today.

[@ebthegt5572]

This car still looks funky, and dare I say, timeless. It's just the sort of car I would want, doesn't have too much power, small, light, of course I'd just end up buying a Miata in our reality. But here, this is a big what if, and I would definitely be interested in getting one.

[@necaticakiroglu96]

Make a video about Nissan iDx concepts

[@michaelspagnoli5964]

I just bought a BRZ and if this was on the market right now I wouldve heavily considered it

[@trdrav4]

Yeah, I still wonder why this never came out; curious if Scion was another reason or not, since the letters were similar to FR-S

[@fakry_ahmadiahmadi1024]

SFR wow nice!! Good job Kirk... keep the good work coming with concept reviews and all. I wonder if you got insights on Toyota's Hydrogen Combustion Engine!! I think it's coming and it'll revolutionize the auto industry - internal combustion side plus put a damper on EV's too!!

[@PeterPlaunt]

I'd love to have one.

[@1022gtv]

At the time of planning the next NE Roadster in collaboration with Mazda, which is an alliance partner, the possibility of a revival using components is not zero.

[@lynndavis869]

I liked the concept video but not the design of SFR so much. Maybe because I have a 2017 Miata.

[@Yormsane]

1:24 Wow, that lil' Copen looks like one of Nissan's crazy 'Pike' cars from the early 90s. You should make a video about those, for the young 'uns who weren't around at the time.

[@Toyota4Life]

God that white one looks incredible I always wonder what happened to this car. It’s a very cool looking car how could they just let this vanish smh

[@HigeYatsu]

Re-design the front end, get in the 150-165 hp range for the base, and give it a 200 hp variant, and I'm in--unavoidable buy if it revs to 7500rpm or above.

[@olavofernandes7286]

It's design mimic the infamous toyota sports 800

[@mrgurulittle7000]

So what you do in the time gap between Toyota news is dig around for what we missed in the old news.👍👍👍This thing we missed here should’ve made it to production.😢

[@renoallstate4573]

Wish they would release more on the stout and mini land cruiser

[@djdrfm]

6:45 is clearly a convertible, which is not sfr racing , and the interior is from daihatsu copen , so maybe sfr was really based on copen

[@chazkoji]

What a beautiful vehicle, probably one of my favorite concept cars of all time, it’s also my favorite car to drive around in gran turismo hahaha.

[@marshmower]

Ill never own an EV. However i would enjoy a gnat attractant paint job that is easy to see in a parking lot. That vehicle seems like something up my alley.

[@Corollakongen]

On Grand Turismo, it is a fun little platform to drive, so I would love for this to come out on the road. I believe it is on the Grand Turismo Sport and is not the last version...

[@ciello___8307]

Definitely was a cute little concept. The copen was fwd though so i dont think it would have been related

[@michaelreavey4527]

If I had to pick a world with either the MX-5 and the 86/BRZ or the MX-5 and the SFR, give me the world with the 86 in it. The SFR looks really cool, but I doubt Toyota would make both it and the 86. And I like that the 86/BRZ competes with the MX-5 while still being very much it’s own thing.

[@donnyj8250]

Make updated track version max at 40k after taxes I’d buy it

[@Lexus_By_Alberto]

Please make a video on the Toyota Blade Master 🥺

[@mrgurulittle7000]

Yes yes yes!! ✋I’m interested!

[@OnkelPHMagee]

I like this foray into projects that never "took off."

[@gerary]

It looks like a puffer fish

[@ChroniclesofKToyoda]

I like the gaping grill, it's somehow cute fugliness was literally what drew me to it! (along with being an actually small nimble machine) In fact it was the only "new" car I was willing to buy. But after rumors it'd never show stateside, out of spite I bought a pair of R1s with the money I'd saved up to stick it to Toyota, only to later learn that Yamaha is basically an offshoot of Toyota's old engineering arm prior to TRD's existence so I still didn't vote correctly with my wallet

[@Lucerne9]

The SUPER FREAK (S FR) I'd love that, spesh a manual option

[@vancity2349]

Too bad they would have sold every one of them. Did they build the MR2 instead?

[@Jason.W.]

Can we get a convertible GR86?

[@fortheloveofnoise]

If it had a manual steering rack option or hydraulic steering rack option I would pick it over the Miata with the EPS.....even though the Miata looks better.

[@weltzier1801]

Heck yeah i would definitely buy this over the Miata. I would rather go for the Nismo ID-X. But i love em both.

[@JKyle-ii1mz]

Don't you think they would have sold more of these than the 86? I do, especially if it was at a lower price point than the Miata.

[@TYAC_red]

They are in GranTurismo Sport.

[@PeteyCarcass]

I don't even have a drivers license but I'm looking at getting one just to be able to own and drive The Angry Frog!!

[@ryajsmit]

Would be very fun ride in the mountains

[@brianaggson1074]

Out of all of the toyota teases, FT1, GR yaris, etc, this was the one I was bummed about the most. I really wanted to see this in the States!😔 especially the racing concept version!

[@vinnycent007]

I remember this at the Auto Show as well as the CH-R as a Scion. Probably would be confusing since we had the FR-S in NA.

[@tbbbo]

Honestly? I think I would’ve preferred this over the FRS/GT86 (I’m trying to say the first gen). Sure with the engine it has it seems more of a parts bin kinda light coupe/convertible but at least it’s all (or mainly idek) Toyota made

[@chimsloyalty3880]

I like the angry kirby look

[@bobbyjones2112]

I think the front and looks kind of cool, I don’t think it looks ugly..lol

[@corvetteracing4]

if this car was being sold right now theyd be selling like hot cakes. They cant make enough GR86s imagine this one thats even cheaper.

[@sheldonlamey7010]

Toyota should make this...USA needs more RWD sports cars.

[@z32luvr]

Track version looks good.

[@amehayami934]

I'm a Toyota and Nissan girl. And i would love to have that car. Drop in the corolla 3 cylinder and some force induction. Looking cute and fast dricting doen the mountain I'd ❤ it 😊

[@vurtruvious5280]

THEY GREEN LIT IT, LETS FUCKN GOOOO

[@jttruong2681]

Cool fun ride.

[@qasimkurashi1599]

Maybe this is Scion?

[@grapsorz]

it actually have the green light now.. it is coming ;) 150HP 3 cylinder. and a 6 speed stick ;)

[@Nick2JZ]

I would buy one!

[@calebcromer1187]

Would sell my Lexus is 350 f-sport for this in a heartbeat

[@kevinhearts616]

Would have bought it!

[@2donuts273]

I can see a lot of inspirations from the mx5 nd here😅

[@7Elemental]

I think S-FR will come with 660cc on Daihatsu and 1.5L on Toyota. Like Suzuki Jimny offering 660cc Kei car engine and 1.5L engine.

[@marshmower]

Rereleased original HachiRoku or Corolla GTS and have the customer sign a stack of release forms and sell it as a farm implement. I want no bs original rwd hatch!

[@haroldoldhair8185]

Atleast it be easy to clean

[@N20Joe]

I would be all over this as a coupe!

[@joskjj3625]

This is an interesting concept kirk never heard of this Toyota concept

[@imVexedBruh]

Looked more like a Sports 800 than anything else

[@whatsindansgarage2542]

This car is so good that it is banned in most GT Sport video game lobby.

[@albrustmeyer753]

Beautiful car wow 😮

[@bearclaw5115]

Would have been a fun car but would have lost to the Miata and more importantly money. I say that as a fan and owner of small underpowered lightweight Japanese cars.

[@chibbyylol]

goku isn't amused

[@joepup8348]

There is really no point from a financial standpoint for Toyota or Honda to spend the time, money and effort to put out a sports car since they won't promote and therefore popularize the model--which you need to do, by definition, to get healthy sales and at least recover your R&D investment. And hopefully make a profit. It would simply not be good PR in this hemisphere to push a sexy sports car since Toyota and Honda already dominate in many meat-and-potato markets like compact and midsize sedans and SUVs, which is already four segments. Better to look 'boring' and not rouse a backlash. This is one reason why the NSX, Prelude and S 2000 sales were okay at first but then diminished quickly over a few years, despite amazing reviews: they got the enthusiasts and people who really do their research when shopping around. But beyond that, you need more typical people who simply want a sporty car. To get them, you need to aggressively promote the car. But it wouldn't look good for Honda and Toyota to do that. Since Mazda and Nissan do not dominate like Honda and Toyota, they have a little more latitude to put out "exciting" cars, hence the Miata and Z. When Nissan was doing better, they had to be careful: I remember Jay Leno mentioning that Nissan had a Gentlemen's agreement when it came to horsepower, back in the 1990s, so their sports cars were underpowered by American standards. But then they had trouble and were bought by Renault in '99. This made it politically more feasible to put out a performance car. And that's exactly what happened, in the early 2000s with the 350 Z.

[@KS-ro6in]

Terribly missed opportunity by Toyota offer as coupe ,1.5, 2 seater, no frills, low cost , lite weight, LSD , manual or auto , monotone paint in bright colors and priced under an MX5 ...$25 to 30k

[@InfraredIs300]

If at a reasonable price and of course, if I fit😂, yes

[@glensmith6558]

I want one.

[@darknessislight3689]

I’m too tall 💔

[@ForSale_24]

Infiniti "Q60 Project Black S"

[@vangcha7562]

It would be a great car

[@autochatter]

Looked too "cute". The MX5 didn't look so cartoony. Looks like a Mini Cooper and a Miata RF had a one night stand and then they shrunk it in a clothes dryer.

[@Treaxvour]

They probably heard that everyone already compared the FRS to the miata, and the miata was better. So they stopping making an even more inferior miata and starting working on the 2nd gen brz, which is finally an actual competitor to the miata, just a little bit more roomy.

[@utxex97]

Sure, it would've fought the Miata...and lost. Miata Is Always The Answer.

[@joskjj3625]

Is it true the chr was originally supposed to be a scion in America?

[@KirkKreifels]

Yes

[@joskjj3625]

@@KirkKreifels thanks kirk keep up the great work

[@kalmmonke5037]

how about a momentum preservation redcued power steering prius for longevity and efficiency by less use of batteyr, engine, brakes, lubcricaiton ec

[@fortheloveofnoise]

My guess is because it looked too similar to the Miata but looked like a Chinese knockoff version, so Toyota was embarrassed...and they did not bother to redesign it. That is my conspiracy theory.

[@FiregemGaming]

The front end kinda reminds me of a Yaris, this screams modern day Toyota Paseo, especially if was going to be based off of the design of the Yaris iA and power trains, as the Yaris was the Tercel and the Tercel had the Paseo companion coupe.

[@LeoTheShortGuy]

Awesome