Tragic day for the automotive world

[hachiroku781]

Hiromu Naruse has died in a car accident on highway 410 near the Nürburgring. He was the godfather of all my favorite Toyota models including the godfather of my favorite Toyota's the AE86 and the AW11. Most people don't care nor haven't heard of him, but from a big fan of Toyota, it kinda sucks hearing of his passing. RIP.
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/23/brea ... many-ring/

[hachiroku781]

Mods delete one of them. For some reason It double posted.

[indomiekid1]

damn.

[Jesda]

That's a horrible looking wreck

[Dittoz7]

Sucks for both.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

yikes. Looked like it was an on-ramp or something... wonder what happened. Looks like it was a nice day out though!

[Otto.]

I saw this earlier. A true leader in the automotive world... gone.

[MellowZ32]

sad indeed!

[lino]

What a shame .

[MinisterofDOOM]

[hachiroku781]

I think in order to keep his spirit alive Toyota should release more sports cars. Even the LFA Nurburgring should be renamed to pay homage to him.

[Bubba1]

I think in order to keep his spirit alive Toyota should release more sports cars. Even the LFA Nurburgring should be renamed to pay homage to him.

Naruse's influence was far more than the Corolla AE86. He was also was involved with the more coveted 2000GT, the original Celica, '84 MR-2, and '94 Supra. His passing is a major loss for Toyota.

[IanS]

It is a loss to the automotive world. Hopefully Toyota can pick up, and keep on keeping on.

"veered into oncoming traffic"

Im wondering if he could have lost control due to medical reasons. Its possible that he had a stroke or heart attach or something.

[numbnuts240]

Im wondering if he could have lost control due to medical reasons. Its possible that he had a stroke or heart attach or something.

that's what i'm thinking. i mean, he was 67.

[hachiroku781]

I think in order to keep his spirit alive Toyota should release more sports cars. Even the LFA Nurburgring should be renamed to pay homage to him.

Naruse's influence was far more than the Corolla AE86. He was also was involved with the more coveted 2000GT, the original Celica, '84 MR-2, and '94 Supra. His passing is a major loss for Toyota.

Did you honestly think I did not know this. I stated that he had a great influence on my two favorite cars, the AE86 and the MR2. Yes the 2000GT is wonderful and is arguably the most beautiful car out of Japan, but there's something about that 16 valve, beautiful sounding engine called the 4A-GE, and the crisp lines of those two cars that do it for me.

[hachiroku781]

It is a loss to the automotive world. Hopefully Toyota can pick up, and keep on keeping on.

"veered into oncoming traffic"

Im wondering if he could have lost control due to medical reasons. Its possible that he had a stroke or heart attach or something.

Well he did say that the LFA was the scariest car he has ever driven. Anyways my condolences go out to his family and the Toyota family. Also lets pray the BMW drivers make it out alive and get to go on pursuing one of the best careers out there.

[Bubba1]

Did you honestly think I did not know this. I stated that he had a great influence on my two favorite cars, the AE86 and the MR2. Yes the 2000GT is wonderful and is arguably the most beautiful car out of Japan, but there's something about that 16 valve, beautiful sounding engine called the 4A-GE, and the crisp lines of those two cars that do it for me.

Yes, if you considered the AE86 and MR2 his best efforts, I had my doubts that you knew about the 2000GT. To me, the AE86 was a nice little car, but it was a continued evolution of a pleasant RWD Corolla. Like the 240SX, it found a renewed popularity in recent years due to it;s reliability, cheap cost and RWD configuration. I owned the previous generation for several years and when it was time to replace it, I went with an S13 instead of an AE86.

And as far as the MR2. The second gen MR2 turbo was the only MR2 I thought Toyota got right.

As far as the 4A-GE, nice tough little motor, but compared to a Ferrari V12, to me the 4A-GE sounds like a fart. Sorry.

[hachiroku781]

Did you honestly think I did not know this. I stated that he had a great influence on my two favorite cars, the AE86 and the MR2. Yes the 2000GT is wonderful and is arguably the most beautiful car out of Japan, but there's something about that 16 valve, beautiful sounding engine called the 4A-GE, and the crisp lines of those two cars that do it for me.

Yes, if you considered the AE86 and MR2 his best efforts, I had my doubts that you knew about the 2000GT. To me, the AE86 was a nice little car, but it was a continued evolution of a pleasant RWD Corolla. Like the 240SX, it found a renewed popularity in recent years due to it;s reliability, cheap cost and RWD configuration. I owned the previous generation for several years and when it was time to replace it, I went with an S13 instead of an AE86.

And as far as the MR2. The second gen MR2 turbo was the only MR2 I thought Toyota got right.

As far as the 4A-GE, nice tough little motor, but compared to a Ferrari V12, to me the 4A-GE sounds like a fart. Sorry.

I'm pretty sure If it wasn't for the 2000GT and the earlier Crowns we wouldn't have one of my favorite engines. The M. Anyways I'm so glad that the 2000gt can fetch over a quarter of a million dollars on auctions. Now see the reason why I love the AW11 is because even though my MR2 was slow and loud for no reason when struggling to get up a hill, it made me a great driver. After driving her 2 winters in Massachusetts I've become a fairly confident driver. Furthermore The reason I love the AE86 is because I grew up with them in the neighborhood. And then Hot Version N2 races made them seem so utterly cool. I could care less about drifting and that sort. The car just holds a nostalgic feeling for me.

My only issue with the first gen Celica is we didn't get the TA22 stateside. While the R engine is pretty torques and bulletproof, theres nothing like the the 2T-G with its SU carbs. That my friend is heaven.

[hachiroku781]

And btw Bubba, sadly I must agree, the 4age, is a fart compared to the Ferrari V12's

[Mr1der]

lol...BUT for a 4 cylinder, it doesn't sound bad.

<---prefers a B series exhibiting mad vtak wail.

[TBrack]

It is a loss to the automotive world. Hopefully Toyota can pick up, and keep on keeping on.

"veered into oncoming traffic"

Im wondering if he could have lost control due to medical reasons. Its possible that he had a stroke or heart attach or something.

Did you see how small that road was? I think it was just an issue of human error and excessive speed.

[flohtingPoint]

Did you honestly think I did not know this. I stated that he had a great influence on my two favorite cars, the AE86 and the MR2. Yes the 2000GT is wonderful and is arguably the most beautiful car out of Japan, but there's something about that 16 valve, beautiful sounding engine called the 4A-GE, and the crisp lines of those two cars that do it for me.

Yes, if you considered the AE86 and MR2 his best efforts, I had my doubts that you knew about the 2000GT. To me, the AE86 was a nice little car, but it was a continued evolution of a pleasant RWD Corolla. Like the 240SX, it found a renewed popularity in recent years due to it;s reliability, cheap cost and RWD configuration. I owned the previous generation for several years and when it was time to replace it, I went with an S13 instead of an AE86.

And as far as the MR2. The second gen MR2 turbo was the only MR2 I thought Toyota got right.

As far as the 4A-GE, nice tough little motor, but compared to a Ferrari V12, to me the 4A-GE sounds like a fart. Sorry.

To come in on this as someone who owns both cars in question, the 86 is more of an idiot savant than a great car. It has it's moments but it's massively stupid in the way it was designed. Comparing the suspension geometry of my AW11 (that's one year older) to my 86, the Corolla is laughable and was archaic even at it's time of conception. The car is more Rainman and less Einstein. At one moment it's ripping through blackjack tables, the next it's beating itself up and screaming that hot water will burn the baby.

LOL, I'm the direct opposite in regards of the second gen MR2. It's too heavy for my taste and the motor is an enormous pain to wrench on (even more so than my AW11). The MR-S, on the other hand, was a great car. Lightest of all the MR2's, nice little motor, very agile and fun car. As far as the AW11 goes, well, we'll have to see next year at Carlisle =P

4AG's sound like a fart compared to most motors. It's exhaust note is extravagantly bad.

[Mr1der]

ever wonder what life would be like if Pete Brock didn't get pushed out of the deal to race the 2000GT's here?

[Bubba1]

[
To come in on this as someone who owns both cars in question, the 86 is more of an idiot savant than a great car. It has it's moments but it's massively stupid in the way it was designed. Comparing the suspension geometry of my AW11 (that's one year older) to my 86, the Corolla is laughable and was archaic even at it's time of conception. The car is more Rainman and less Einstein. At one moment it's ripping through blackjack tables, the next it's beating itself up and screaming that hot water will burn the baby.

LOL, I'm the direct opposite in regards of the second gen MR2. It's too heavy for my taste and the motor is an enormous pain to wrench on (even more so than my AW11). The MR-S, on the other hand, was a great car. Lightest of all the MR2's, nice little motor, very agile and fun car. As far as the AW11 goes, well, we'll have to see next year at Carlisle =P

4AG's sound like a fart compared to most motors. It's exhaust note is extravagantly bad.

Amusing, what you like about the first gen, I dislike.
that's cool. I thought the 1st gen was too small, too ugly but had very nimble handling. (like an ugly Fiat X1/9). I agree the supercharged ones gave it some oomph, making it a nice choice for autocrossing.

What sold me about the 2nd generation MR2 Turbo was my friends '92, which I had an opportunity to both drive and ride in at VIR. A delightful car to drive, and I thought a much better car overall than the first generation. Yes, it was a bit bigger, heavier, and still had little luggage space, but it also felt roomier and more comfortable than the 1st gen. And the turbo when spooled made it very entertaining. It was nicely balanced, agile, great pedal placement, slick little shifter, and quick. Plus it was sleek looking. Its a shame Toyota ruined it in the later generations.

here's that '92:

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Its a shame Toyota ruined it in the later generations.

here's that '92:

That's what they do man! That's a good looking MR2. I always liked the way those cars look, but I don't think I've ever ridden in one/driven one... odd.

[Steady_One_S13]

I think in order to keep his spirit alive Toyota should release more sports cars. Even the LFA Nurburgring should be renamed to pay homage to him.

Naruse's influence was far more than the Corolla AE86. He was also was involved with the more coveted 2000GT, the original Celica, '84 MR-2, and '94 Supra. His passing is a major loss for Toyota.

Indeed.

My condolences.

[hachiroku781]

I find it odd how I still prefer the AW11 over the later generations of MR2s. People might think they are ugly but I love that wedge design. I thought Toyota messed up the second gen, when it became more bloated and more of a pain to drive and even work on.

[IBCoupe]

I think in order to keep his spirit alive Toyota should release more sports cars. Even the LFA Nurburgring should be renamed to pay homage to him.

+1

They should bring on the FT-86/FR-S/whatever-it-will-eventually-be-called. I wants it. Unless the make it the next Solara. They I wants to cry.

[Bubba1]

I find it odd how I still prefer the AW11 over the later generations of MR2s. People might think they are ugly but I love that wedge design. I thought Toyota messed up the second gen, when it became more bloated and more of a pain to drive and even work on.

I'm sure you're not alone with your preference. But you gotta drive one on a race track to appreciate what Toyota did right with that second gen turbo. I didn't realize how nice they were until I pushed it hard.

[hachiroku781]

I find it odd how I still prefer the AW11 over the later generations of MR2s. People might think they are ugly but I love that wedge design. I thought Toyota messed up the second gen, when it became more bloated and more of a pain to drive and even work on.

I'm sure you're not alone with your preference. But you gotta drive one on a race track to appreciate what Toyota did right with that second gen turbo. I didn't realize how nice they were until I pushed it hard.

Hmm good point there. I've never driven one on a track so I guess I can't truly understand what you are talking about. However if ever given a chance to track one I would. There are a lot of Toyotas I wish i could own. Sport 800, Celica Supra,2000GT, TE27, the list goes on. I love the Toyota of yesteryear.