For the last six months or so, the buzz about the new Toyota 86 and its Subaru cousin has been through the roof. While we love the idea behind the car, what’s even more exciting is the prospect of more companies jumping into the fray with their own affordable rear-drive offerings.
For this week’s poll, we want to see which of these possible future Japanese sports cars has piqued your interest the most.
First up we have the next generation of the Mazda MX-5. A new and improved MX-5 has already been confirmed by Mazda within a year’s time or so, and rumors have the new car being lighter and more efficient than the current MX-5. The addition of a coupe model is also something that’s been desired by many, and would go head to head with the Toyota-Subaru twins.
Many are hoping Nissan will be jumping with their own entry level sports car as well. We don’t know whether this will come in the form of a new S16 Silvia, or a smaller, simpler version of the current Fairlady Z. Either way, a Nissan take on the 86/BRZ formula would be welcome.
Finally, there’s Honda – who hasn’t had a dedicated sports car since the S2000 was killed off a few years ago. Unfortunately there hasn’t been much to suggest that Honda is actually working a new version of their sports car, but it’s fun to think about at least.
A new MX-5, reborn Silvia, or a new take on the S2000? Which one of these ideas excites you the most?
[polldaddy poll="6298137"]
-Mike Garrett
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
Why would anyone vote for anything other than an S16 Silvia?
what an exciting time to be into cars right now
I really don't like cars without roofs, but the Honda S2000 with a roof looks very nice, and I wouldn't mind seeing a new version of it
And there are so many S14 and S15 etc. out there now drifting, I want to see another car as well.
nissan, and the subrau/toyota use Mc-phersion garbage struts. Mazda still uses proper suspension. Honda is up in the air Fuck Nissan
The idea of affordable, lightweight, FR, sports cars are exciting enough for me to care about brands. Heck even if Proton could make one i'd buy 'em.
The next gen Miata excites me the most cause because it is the most tangible. It actually will be built unlike the other two. But a new something from Nissan would be great.
None of these options. I'm waiting for the next gen Rx-9/Rx-7. I know its been shelved, but mazda said they will eventually make it. They already have the 16X engine to put into it.
Of the three the Mazda gets my vote. Why? The Miata has had solid real performance development for decades, and many, many a series to back it up. A coupe version would be awesome, .I'm not a Nissan dorifto fanboy so I don't care too much about a new Silvia. Nissan would be better served bringing us a true small pickup before Toyota does, and that could be slid sideways/backwards into things just fine. The S2000 was an outstanding machine, but Honda has no interest in performance anymore (RWD mind you) and a new S2000 has an even smaller chance of being built than a new Nissan sporty thing.
A light weight, rotary mx5 would be awesome, though it would never happen.
I knew the Mazda would be the least popular. The bast all-rounder and great price but so overlooked in performance circles. RX8 is ugly, why isn't there just a rotary optioned MX-5? There are already hardtop clip ons etc if people want one. Drive an MX-5 and you'll find out what you've been missing.
S2000, great cars but the Mazda is there for ~hot-spec Civic money. That'll get the Mazda an LSD diff centre and maybe an AVO or similar turbo kit with the change.
Nissan, good but not up to the Nissan lovers hype. Lightest car with the best handling wins.
V6 Mustang? If not the current one (which out handles and out brakes all the above already) then the revamped one coming in 2014 with IRS.
I would like to propose an alternative:
Why not go out and buy any "FR" car from 1967 - 1975?
I drive a heavily modified 1974 BMW 2002 and I can assure you that it provides infinitely more fun per mile than any of these vehicles could ever aspire to. "Old" cars are brilliant and they teach you how to drive properly and how to build up a car.
I just cannot get excited about these toyota whatchamacallits. Go save an old car and be a hero.
Silvia FTW
New Nissan Silvia!
Hell, me being a Miata and Punto owner, I'm definitely interested in the next iteration of the MX5. The last one was a bit dull. The new one will be awesome! Also, Sergio Marchionne from FIAT has been in negotiations with Mazda to use that same platform for a new Alfa Romeo FR sportscar. There's no better platform at this time than the MX5 platform for that, even the Toybaru twins which I love are no match for a tuned Miata in terms of fun!
Can always add some Italian finesse to an already perfect car!
wrong category bub
i go honda cause Vtec the boss!
I have a 2002 Nissan Silvia S15 Spec-R with RB26 swap... And I f***ing love it! A new one as daily or 2nd weekend/track car is welcome here!
I chose S2000 cos I'm a Honda guy, but I know a new Silvia would be just as appealing.
come on new silvia, yeah!, nissan take note!
S16.. And RX-9. Who knows.
Silvia is cool if it comes to the states otberwise a coupe version of the miata is choice for me its the original lightweight fun car and it gets better with each model
Would love to see a new S chassis and what would power it, but also a reborn S2000. Honda had a winner there, wonder why they killed it off?
A S2000 would be great ! Never understood why they stopped this beast. A new Nissan Silvia seem impossible to me : It's a dead segment since they already have the 370Z and the GT-R ... Or if they do, it probably won't be in the same spirit.
And by the way, it's probably a bit late, but is there a chance we can get some more wallpapers from this post : http://www.speedhunters.com/2012/05/getting-to-grips-with-the-toyota-86/ including the picture you have used to begin this poll ?
And by the way, it's probably a bit late, but is there a chance we can get some more wallpapers from this post : http://www.speedhunters.com/2012/05/getting-to-grips-with-the-toyota-86/ including the picture you have used to begin this poll ? Thanks.
@Aisakey I wouldn't call it a dead segment. In the same sense that the FR-S doesn't compete with a Ford Mustang Boss 302 a new Silvia wouldn't compete with a 370Z or GT-R.
the opening shot would be supercool as my new wallpaper!
please release a few GT86 pics in high res.
http://cdn.dev.speedhunters.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/86Drive-21.jpg
I like them all, but the miata gets my vote.
S16!!
Honda S2000, because I remember watching some auto news about a new S2000 in the works that eventually got cancelled. It wasn't discontinued, but postponed. Honda's most powerful car right now is a freaking Civic Si(Sad). Hopefully, there will be an S2000 that will come along with the NSX. It does seem realistic, especially with Honda's background in racing.
A new Silvia just seems impossible at this point. With economical cars being the big thing nowadays, I highly doubt Nissan will attempt to go for another Silvia project, especially when they already have two excellent sports cars: the 370z and the GT-R. A New Silvia project won't happen in the near future, just like a new generation of Mitsubishi Lancer Evo won't happen(as stated by Mitsubishi).
Although the Miata is basically the main competitor of the FR-S, I don't like its small amount of horsepower and extreme amount of roll. After watching multiple "Miata vs FRS" reviews, many professionals also think the same. They all agree that the new Toyota is a beast of a car in a super small package. With the right upgrades, I wouldn't mind picking the Miata though.
I voted for Nissan. With the GT-R they have demonstrated that they still can do an awesome car - that means the right people are working in their sports car departament. The Mazda MX-5 is great already, can't be excited about a replacement, since it will also be great - too predictable ;). As much as I like Honda, they will probably not do a sports car in the near future. And even if they will, it will probably be some slow, heavy hybrid with a 1.3 engine and a electric motor powered by a 5V battery. Simmilar to what they have done with the CR-Z, which gets blown to the weeds not only by an entry level CRX, but also by the current 1.8 Civic.
@Aisakey
I think or more I hope Nissan decides to revive the silvia concept. Toyota and Subaru revived the segment of affordable coupe sportscars. From my point of view a Silvia can fit into that segment and still keep the spirit it inherits from its predecessors, just in the same way the GT86 with its name draws the analogy to the AE86. 370Z and GT-R target completely different customer groups, but woth both cars Nissan proved that they can make affordable but extraordinary cars in either segment.
Mazda will continue improving the MX-5 for a long time since it is a global success with every model they launched. A Honda S2000 would be really great. They just discontinued it because success and sales figures decreased in the last years of production. But it will be interesting to follow what other manufacturers bear in mind to have a competing product to the Toyota/Subaru cars.
I voted realistic ! Mazda ! Why ? It's the only Japanese constructor with a consistent model line-up. Come on Honda ... the S2000 was brilliant and then you stop ... the NSX was brilliant and then you stop !
Take a look at Renaultsport, i bet the Clio 4 RS will kick some serious arse
New Silvia please! And make it available in North America!
There all good... It will be a bleak "enthusiast" Future without these cars and engines
New 2 seat Rx7 would get my money
You may have missed the news about Mazda and Alfa teaming up for a miata chassis with Alfa styling.
It could be good or bad, who knows, Mazda has been a bit too melancholy on this economic whimper of development for so long that I forget what they are even really going for these days... but at the same time the 'Alfa RoMazda' would get my vote just because there is little reason why it couldn't be something very special. There's only so many ways you could get that concept *wrong*. Any car guy can instantly imagine what that car will be like to drive, and a general sense of what it would look like as well. No guessing games there. That is completely the opposite feeling I get from the phrase 'new Honda sports car' which could literally be anything at all, with plenty to go wrong
You may have missed the news about Mazda and Alfa teaming up for a miata chassis with Alfa styling.
It could be good or bad, who knows, Mazda has been a bit too melancholy on this economic whimper of development for so long that I forget what they are even really going for these days... but at the same time the 'Alfa RoMazda' would get my vote just because there is little reason why it couldn't be something very special. There's only so many ways you could get that concept *wrong*. Any car guy can instantly imagine what that car will be like to drive, and a general sense of what it would look like as well. No guessing games there. That is completely the opposite feeling I get from the phrase 'new Honda sports car' which could literally be anything at all, with plenty to go wrong
hopefully this will push vw into making the scirocco into rwd (and making an even more affordable seat and skoda version too) to truly release its potential. I hope the 86 and brz sell ridicoulsly well because this is a market that needs re-exploring because at the end of the day nobody really wants eco-cars they just think its the right thing to do. even hippies would have a blast in a hot FR coupe
hopefully this will push vw into making the scirocco into rwd (and making an even more affordable seat and skoda version too) to truly release its potential. I hope the 86 and brz sell ridicoulsly well because this is a market that needs re-exploring because at the end of the day nobody really wants eco-cars they just think its the right thing to do. even hippies would have a blast in a hot FR coupe
I know the MX5 will be last but at least its going to happen... unlike the pipe dream of the S16 and the not ever going to happen S2k replacement
I know the MX5 will be last but at least its going to happen... unlike the pipe dream of the S16 and the not ever going to happen S2k replacement
I think Honda is concentration on the new NSX but that will be in the supercar category. No more affordable Honda sports cars.
I vote for the Silvia because other than a new MX5 it seems the most likely to happen. I would love for Honda to create a small, simple FR coupe. Something like an Integra or Prelude but FR. Unfortunately that will likely never see the light of day or if it does it will probably have some hybrid electric BS in it.
I vote for the one that will actually be a reality lol
R35, Z34 . . . so S16 will be logical
I love the fact that people want an s16 silvia.. :DGO NISSAN!
Coupe. Any day.
Coupe. Any day.
S16 FTW!
S16 FTW!
You have to admit that Nissan is the biggest in drift movement and S13/S14/S15 the most desired platform this century in this sport. Really.
You have to admit that Nissan is the biggest in drift movement and S13/S14/S15 the most desired platform this century in this sport. Really.
Mazda .
Double wishbone > mcpherson strut. I can't imagine Mazda deviating from a proper sports car chassis at this point. One can only hope air conditioning and power steering returns to being a check-box. I'll even take back the 185 series rubber if the car can put a smile on my face like the original NA.
I was gonna vote Nissan, of course, but Honda doesnt have a single real sports car on their lineup anymore and that's quite a shame...
@nismoskyz That's exactly why I chose Honda, too.
Let's get that S16!
Show this poll to Nissan PR ASAP
i choose new mazda rx7 but its not on there. more realistic than a new 240sx or honda bringing back the s2k (it didn't sell well enough you idiots!) no matter how great it was. mazda has always been a sportscar-heavy company and rotaries are as much a part of mazda as a camaro is of chevy or a fairlday z is of nissan. it is BRAND IDENTITY it will come back just like the z and camaro did
a mitsu-nissan crossbreed!
@dangina sacrilegious! who would want a Silvia that falls apart when you close the door? Give us an S16 or death by a tricycle.
Wait................ wat? Really? REALLY? That's your choice? An under-powered, overly heavy, poorly built, poorly designed IN GENERAL hunk of steel that uses gas to produce a horrid sound but doesn't move very fast? This has to be a joke. V8 mustang? Fine there's some fun in that. But a V6? Nope. Not now not ever.
P.S. It turns like a freight train.
Better than the engine falling apart every 2 miles. We all know the 4g63 >>> SR20.
Better than the engine falling apart every 2 miles. We all know the 4g63 >>> SR20.
Better than the engine falling apart every 2 miles. We all know the 4g63 >>> SR20.
The Honda S2000 is one of my dream cars... a reiteration would have to be pretty damn good to match it
The Honda S2000 is one of my dream cars... a reiteration would have to be pretty damn good to match it
The Honda S2000 is one of my dream cars... a reiteration would have to be pretty damn good to match it