Toyota S-FR 2015/2016 specs, price & news: 'Mazda MX-5 Miata' rival debuts during the Tokyo Motor Show

Don't be fooled by the size of the Toyota S-FR, a petite little sports car that may be tiny but can pack a punch. CNET reports that the vehicle was debuted by the Japanese brand during the Tokyo Motor Show. The Toyota S-FR is a baby coupe that features a front-engined layout and rear-wheel drive. At 13 feet long, it's clearly Mazda MX-5 Miata's rival, but leaves room for more passengers with its backseat than its Mazda counterpart.

According to CNN, the concept for the S-FR was created by the brand's in-house team in Japan, with the goal of creating a vehicle that can stand alongside Toyota's existing sports car, the GT86. This new creation that debuted in a bright yellow color honors the brand's heritage with a reference to the Sports 800, which was released at the same Tokyo Motor Show back in 1962 and was sold only in Japan. Check out the newly released video of the S-FR below.

Compared to Toyota's two other releases this year, the Prius hybrid and C-HR small crossover, the S-FR features a smoother surface, with no visible sharp edges or creases, making it almost feminine and youthful. Just look at its front facade, which features a large mesh grille that resembles the face of an eager child with its rounded headlights. The interiors, on the other hand, boast of fabric, rubber, and bare body-colored metal inside the cabin. It also features the usual indicator stalks, a small but effective instrument panel, and a digital rev-counter that spins around the speed display, which are common in most Toyota vehicles.

"Pitched as an entry-level model, the new concept emphasizes responsiveness, and aims to make a whole new generation fall in love with driving," the S-FR press release read on Autoblog. "The concept's compact body is incredibly light, yet offers a smooth driving style. Not just a sports car, it pairs the simplicity of an entry-level model with an intimacy that brings human and machine closer together."

While the brand has not released any specific details about the S-FR yet, speculators believe that the car features a four-cylinder 1.5-liter petrol engine that produces around 130 bhp. It may also be more affordable with a price tag of around $18,000.

According to S-FR project leader Koichi Matsumoto, Toyota may be developing the vehicle on its own, in contrast to the brand's two other sports car projects, the GT86, which is a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru, and another car that the brand is working on with BMW.