Published: May 10, 2012

Going Topless: Scion FR-S/Toyota GT-86 Convertible Coming Soon

Toyota has realized (finally) that it pays to build affordable sports cars.

The Mazda MX-5 is about to receive its most worthy competitor to date. According to a report coming from Car and Driver, Toyota is currently working on a convertible version of the GT-86/Scion FR-S sports coupe. Not long ago this was a rumor, but it's become evident that Toyota product planners fully intend on going forward with the plan in order to broaden the car's appeal. Specifically, they're targeting the Mazda MX-5, which is due for a redesign very soon.

Going Topless: Scion FR-S/Toyota GT-86 Convertible Coming Soon

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The 2.0 'boxer' four engine will be carried over unchanged. Some inside sources also told Car and Driver that Toyota is looking to stretch the sports car's platform a bit in order to build a small rear-wheel-drive sedan or an even larger two-door coupe. Technically this is possible and it makes sense for Toyota to expand the lineup as much as they can. Based on how popular the car already is, it seems likely these variants will also do well. No word on whether Subaru plans to follow suit with a BRZ convertible, but it seems unlikely because they already have a solid sports car lineup that includes the WRX and STI.

A larger rear-wheel-drive Toyota coupe (and maybe even a convertible variant of that) would be targeted directly at the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. The GT-86/FR-S convertible will likely be on the market for 2014, right after the debut of the new MX-5.