According to a report, Toyota is currently working on a convertible version of the GT86/Scion FR-S sports coupe. This new model is going to be competition for the Mazda MX-5. Toyota product planners finally decided to turn the rumor into a reality to broaden the car’s appeal. The convertible will be built on the same platform as the joint Toyota/Subaru coupe and could include a four-door sedan and a larger two-door coupe. The architecture might be used in other models as well. All possibilities are being worked out by the product planners. Subaru’s plans to follow suit with a BR-Z convertible have not yet been revealed and it seems unlikely with the solid sports car lineup they already have – WRX and STI.

The convertible will be powered by a 2.0-L boxer-four engine similar to the FR-S and produces 200 hp. Manual and automatic transmissions both of six-speed variety will be available. The biggest competitor would be the Mazda MX5. A bigger rear-wheel drive from Toyota would probably target the Hyundai Genesis coupe, the mustang, the Chevy Camaro and even the BMW 1-series. A Toyota badged-sedan would be the rival to the Volkswagen Jetta GLI and Subaru WRX.

The debut of this new convertible is expected to be in late 2013 or early 2014.

via WorldCarFans