Cheaper Toyota sports car reportedly under consideration for release again
Toyota may bring back the S-FR as a compact rear-wheel-drive sports car in the kei-car format. According to insider reports, the model could appear as early as 2027.
Toyota is considering reviving the S-FR, which debuted as a concept at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2015 but never reached mass production. The new version may become a small rear-wheel-drive coupe with a fixed roof.
The project is linked to the development of the Daihatsu K-OPEN—a concept for the next Copen, showcased at the Japan Mobility Show 2025. The proposed dimensions of the S-FR match those of the K-OPEN: length—3395 mm, width—1475 mm, height—approximately 1230 mm, and wheelbase—around 2265 mm. Compared to the original concept, the car may be 595 mm shorter and 220 mm narrower.
Daihatsu has also created a drivable prototype to test the rear-wheel-drive layout in the kei-car format and continued testing with a second version. However, the mass production of the K-OPEN has not been officially confirmed.
According to preliminary information, the S-FR will feature a turbocharged 3-cylinder engine with a displacement of 660 cc and an output of around 64 hp. Transmission options under consideration include a 5-speed manual gearbox and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), with rear-wheel drive remaining standard. The car’s weight, engine position, and suspension design have not yet been disclosed.
The original concept was a 4-seater, while the K-OPEN is designed for two people. Therefore, Toyota still needs to decide whether the S-FR will retain the 2+2 layout. If the companies use shared technical solutions, Daihatsu may offer an open-top Copen, while Toyota could produce a coupe with a hard roof.
The expected 2027 debut remains an unconfirmed forecast. Neither Toyota nor Daihatsu has announced the mass production of these models, and the matching dimensions alone do not prove a shared platform.
