New Toyota Rukus

[JimNiki]

Originally Posted by calais

And one more thing. Why the hell would Toyota lump another auto petrol four banger econobox on us, when they could have spent the investment dollars on getting another sports car back in the Australian lineup? (3.5L V6 Corolla Blade for example)

I just hate it when people call an ugly FWD Toyota a "sportscar".
All it does is dilute the term "sportscar".

I would call it a "sporty car", like the yaris I saw the other day with the carbon fibre bonnet.... that's fair enough.

[FalconXR6]

Gay.

But then again, this thing isn't going to tickle the fancy of the blokes around here who prefer a proper, full-size car with deceptively economical engines and PLENTY of stick !

This car will be bought by women who think it's cute and will subsequently wack flower stickers all over it. Or blokes who are tall, skinny, wear glasses and pretend they don't have a keen interest in making love to other men.

[fordv8!]

looks terrible!!!!!

[Bad Bird]

Maybe if they introduced them properly, with proper dealer warranted aftermarket modifications such as superchargers (as they do in the states). And a manual gearbox...

[Chopped]

I don't mind the boxy look.

The Ruckus would be one of the most USABLE vehicles in that price range.

There is something lol/cool/odd about the boxy cars >

[JimNiki]

black one looks like a hurst for dwarfs!

[InfernoSR]

A rather interesting looking vehicle...

[trippytaka]

Originally Posted by calais

I can see where Toyota are thinking this is the right car for some little niche market.

However, the set pricing for the Rukus is at the MOST competitive price point for mid size vehicles. Pretty much every other mid size car out there around the 27 to 35k mark typically comes with a myriad of engine and driveline combinations and on top of that, interior options as well.

The Rukus carries almost no ability to compete on that basis alone.

I predict the Rukus will not be kept as part of the lineup after its initial stint here in Australia.

And one more thing. Why the hell would Toyota lump another auto petrol four banger econobox on us, when they could have spent the investment dollars on getting another sports car back in the Australian lineup? (3.5L V6 Corolla Blade for example)

The same reason as to why Toyota has been one of the only car manufacturers to actually make a profit for the last quarter of a century... they play the numbers game. And by that I mean they head straight for what the mainstream wants - cheap cars to run.

Performance cars, as much as it pains me to say this, are the realm of a tiny percentage of enthusiasts. Toyota hasn't had a proper "hero" car since the Supra, yet they have been the most successful manufacturer. It's not a coincidence.

[Chopped]

Originally Posted by JimNiki

black one looks like a hurst for dwarfs!

l o l z . that cracked me up.

(why can't I write the word ****)

[mik]

i can`t help it, every time i see the name RUKUS I see it spelt backwards.....SUKUR.

[1TUFFUTE]

it KIND OF looks ok in that pic but im sure to hell its going to look horrid and unproportioned in the real world......no thanks

[rodderz]

jeez....what an ugly car.

I'd seriously own a Mitsubishi Nimbus over that thing!

[calais]

Originally Posted by JimNiki

I just hate it when people call an ugly FWD Toyota a "sportscar".
All it does is dilute the term "sportscar".

I would call it a "sporty car", like the yaris I saw the other day with the carbon fibre bonnet.... that's fair enough.

Uh... Ok, for those more interested in semantics, I will refer to a high performance FWD as a "Sporty Car" because that truly conveys a more accurate depiction of the vehicles intended role............

[dannyhilton]

I've seen a black one, and still don't like the look. Toyota want to ditch the cardigan image a little, but having 'youth vehicles' in their range as well as cardigan, mundane econo boxes. That makes sence, as people will warm to this car so they can stand out, but I think they'll find young people will choose others cars, and this will be sold to middle age women with dog fetishes who are divorced and can't smile due to excessive botox. Sorry, I shouldn't generalize, I drive a hairdresser car ;-)

Interesting move though, and I could be wrong, those could get them into a younger buyer age group, something Toyota really need to stay at the top.

[InfernoSR]

Promo photo:


Our demo version:

[Sorted]

Ha Ha my friend just bought a Black one of these.................

And I have a pic of her driving this - well it had the same stripes

Personally i think she got ripped on the price

How can they be worth so much - her car was worth about $10k with low klms and she had to pay an extra $23,000 - thats $33,000 including all on roads - what the............ unsure if they gace her $10k but still - Booooooooo