If there was ever a car manufacturer that could be mistaken for a whitegoods maker, Toyota would be it. However, with Toyota set to revitalise its image with the addition of the FT-HS and FR Sports to its lineup, could the marque be on its way back to the glory days of the 80s and 90s? At its latest corporate meeting, Toyota was optimistic that a high-tech approach could help it shed its cardigan-wearing image.
Toyota held its business strategy meeting last week, and according to Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe's presentation, the company will be focusing its future efforts on creating "attractive products" to create new markets. Attractive products like the much-vaunted "Supra replacement", the FT-HS; the AE86-esque FR Sports and Lexus' LF-1/LF-A and IS-F.
In another presentation made at the meeting, it was revealed that Toyota will also be likely to utilise turbochargers in future engine designs. Forced induction will be utilised in conjuction with direct injection, lean burning, weight reduction and Toyota's VVEL variable valve technology in an effort to increase power while keeping emissions low.
Does this mean we'll be seeing engines in the same vein as Toyota's twin-turbocharged powerhouse 2JZ-GTE in the near future? In today's climate of eco-friendliness it's unlikely such outrageous excesses will ever be revisited, but seeing as Toyota's new commitment to creating "image" cars is sparking development in new sports models and engine technology, the future is looking that little bit sunnier...
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