I have said it may times before about Toyota being a boring brand lately and the only thing exciting lies with the Lexus brand in the ISF and the virtually unattainable LFA. A report by Autocar confirms the automaker has starting work off of a hot-hatch concept that will be a low-cost, rear-wheel-drive coupe. Supposedly this new hatchback is being made in a tribute to the late Hiromu Naruse, Toyota’s chief test driver and godfather of the Lexus LFA who was killed in a road accident while driving a LFA prototype.

The new Toyota coupe is to be based on the GRMN Hot Hatch Concept that was previously revealed at the Tokyo Auto Salon this year. The new coupe will be positioned below the upcoming FT-86 but based on the same formula for being an exciting rear-wheel drive vehicle targeting young buyers.

Hiromu Naruse was the man who gave Toyota many of its exciting products such as the Toyota Supra. One of the latest pet projects of Naruse aside from the LFA was said to be the idea of a front-engine rear-wheel-drive model for young auto enthusiasts. Does this mean the Toyota FT-86 will be the “new Supra” since it will be positioned above this new baby coupe?

Currently there is speculation that we may see a form of the GRMN Hot Hatch Concept in coupe form come to fruition in 2012 sporting a 1.5-liter engine driving the rear wheels well before the FT-86 hits the market. Price rumors from insiders are said to be around $15,000usd.

[source: Autocar]