The Renault Clio V-6 is the quintessential mid-engine scorching hatch, however different manufacturers have additionally dabbled in turning sensible small vehicles into one thing extra thrilling. The Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 and MG Metro 6R4, together with just a few wild ideas, spring to thoughts. Bear in mind Volkswagen’s bonkers W-12 Golf? Toyota lately added the GR Yaris M Idea to the checklist, and you will be shocked to listen to it isn’t the primary of its form from the Japanese automaker.
For the 2008 British Worldwide Motor Present, Toyota remodeled its diminutive Aygo metropolis automotive into one thing “Loopy.” Yep, the one-off obtained the “Aygo Loopy” moniker and had little in frequent with the manufacturing mannequin. Borrowing the 1.8-liter engine from the Celica and MR2, the pocket rocket obtained a Toyota Motorsport turbo package. This package bumped output from the common mannequin’s measly 68 hp and 69 lb-ft (93 Nm) to 200 hp and 177 lb-ft (240 Nm).
Photograph by: Toyota
The Aygo Loopy borrowed the MR2’s five-speed handbook gearbox, which routed energy to the rear wheels. It should’ve been a hoot to drive, given a curb weight of solely 2,314 kilos (1,050 kilograms), about as a lot as a Miata ND. Even Toyota described it as “like a kart with doorways and a roof.” No digital nannies had been on board, with the engineers selecting to go away out ABS and energy steering. Just like the GR Yaris M idea, its ancestor was strictly a two-seater.
The suspension was additionally taken from the MR2, with MacPherson struts entrance and rear to sharpen issues up. Toyota gave the Aygo Loopy adjustable dampers and widened the tracks by a full inch. Elsewhere, the carbon fiber rear wing got here from the American Champ Automobile collection, which folded later that 12 months. Bigger 17-inch wheels wrapped in 225/45 tires changed the inventory mannequin’s tiny 14-inch set, whereas ventilated discs changed the rear drums. The entrance brakes had been additionally upgraded with greater discs and Brembo calipers.
Toyota quoted a 0 to 62 mph in 5.75 seconds for its so-called “procuring supercar” and an estimated prime pace of 127 mph (204 km/h). That made it a lot faster and quicker than the usual Aygo, which accomplished the dash in an agonizingly sluggish 14.2 seconds earlier than maxing out at simply 98 mph (157 km/h).
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The Aygo Loopy was conceived as a completely practical automotive. We will say the identical in regards to the GR Yaris M idea since Toyota president Akio Toyoda will race the mid-engine scorching hatch later this 12 months. A manufacturing model is unlikely, however the firm has been dropping hints about bringing again the Celica and MR2. These vehicles may have Toyota’s new G20E engine, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder projected to make roughly 400 hp.
