This is a Toyota Sera produced for the Japanese domestic market. After all, it served as inspiration for the genre-defining McLaren F1 supercar. What is the connection between a low-powered, FWD Toyota and one of the most iconic supercars ever?
In a world where panoramic windscreens and sunroofs are now commonplace, still, no one does glass quite like this. The Sera remained available until , but production was in considerably smaller batches after Get behind the wheel of the Sera and all the controls will indeed feel like your standard Toyota from the era.
This is both a plus and a minus. For those who want an easy-to-drive car that looks the business, then this would have been the ideal option. The steering is light but not uncommunicative, and the car handles as competently but perhaps as uninspired as a 90s Toyota hatch would.
The 5E-FHE had a higher compression, and a redline that was raised to 7, rpm 7, in later models. However, with most cars featuring the same slow-witted gearbox found on the commuters, that extra turn of speed was hardly palpable.
Is it fun? Yes, loads. Is it fast? Decidedly not. However, the Sera still undeniably lacks the chassis of a true sportscar. Not quite. As a retro curio, whatever dynamic shortcomings are instantly forgiven thanks to that unique styling.
