Electric Cars

Experience Automotive History: Drive a Classic Toyota Gullwing!

The Revival of a Quirky Classic: Toyota Sera Joins the Rental Fleet

Toyota's innovative Kinto service is bringing back a touch of the past, offering the eccentric Sera coupe for rent across Japan. This move provides a unique chance for car aficionados to engage with one of the brand's more peculiar creations from the 1990s, bypassing the challenges of acquiring and maintaining a classic vehicle.

Unveiling the Sera: A Marvel of 90s Automotive Design and Engineering

For those unfamiliar with the Toyota Sera, it was a compact 2+2 liftback coupe launched in 1990, distinguished by its striking gullwing doors and expansive glass roof. Original press releases from the era proudly highlighted the Sera as Japan's first mass-produced car to feature such a design, emphasizing the advanced mechanism that ensured consistent door-opening effort regardless of temperature fluctuations.

Lightweight Engineering for a Distinctive Driving Experience

Despite its dramatic appearance, the Sera's foundation was rather modest, sharing its front-wheel-drive platform with the Starlet econobox and powered by a modest 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. However, its exceptionally light weight—just 2,050 pounds (930 kg) for the automatic model—meant that power wasn't the sole determinant of driving enjoyment. Even lighter, the five-speed manual version weighed in at 1,962 lbs (890 kg), showcasing a design philosophy focused on minimal mass.

Kinto Vintage Club: Making Automotive Dreams a Reality

The Kinto Vintage Club has been dedicated to transforming Japanese automotive history into an accessible experience for several years. Their growing collection includes iconic models like the Celica, Supra, Chaser, Aristo, and Altezza sedans, with the MR2 soon to join the lineup alongside the Sera. Even a 40-year-old 70 Series Land Cruiser is available, demonstrating the breadth of the program.

The Allure of the Sera: Rarity, Quirks, and Lasting Influence

The Toyota Sera holds a special place due to its rarity, with fewer than 16,000 units produced, making it a head-turner wherever it appears. Its unusual design and the fact that it was built "just because" encapsulate a bygone era of automotive creativity. Furthermore, the Sera notably influenced celebrated designer Gordon Murray, who cited its doors as inspiration for the legendary McLaren F1.

Accessing a Piece of History: Rental Details for the Toyota Sera

While renting the Sera offers an unparalleled experience, it comes with a price tag of ¥16,000 (approximately $100) for a four-hour rental. This premium reflects the unique opportunity to drive such a distinctive and rare vehicle, a more economical alternative to ownership. The Sera will be available for rental at the Shikoku Automobile Museum in Kochi, Japan, on weekends from December 5, 2026, to February 28, 2027.

Porsche's leadership, under Michael Leiters, is navigating a complex automotive landscape by adopting a nuanced approach that embraces both electric and traditional combustion engine technologies. This strategy is not a rejection of electric vehicles but rather a strategic realignment to cater to diverse customer demands and market realities. The company is committed to offering a balanced portfolio, ensuring that iconic models like the 911 retain their gasoline-powered heritage while exploring electrification for other segments.

Since assuming the role of CEO in January, Michael Leiters has been a vocal proponent of this hybrid strategy, dispelling notions of him being an EV detractor. He emphasizes that Porsche is not abandoning its electric ambitions but is instead refining its investment approach to avoid redundancy. This involves allowing both combustion and electric models to coexist, recognizing that different vehicle segments and customer bases have distinct preferences regarding powertrain technology. The decision to reintroduce a petrol-powered Macan by 2028, despite the nameplate's previous shift to electric-only, serves as a prime example of this philosophy.

Leiters's strategy is also a response to challenging market conditions, particularly a slowdown in electric vehicle sales and declining operating margins. In the first half of the year, electric Macan sales saw a significant drop, and deliveries in China also experienced a considerable reduction. To address these financial pressures, Porsche has undertaken measures such as reducing its workforce by 9,000 employees by 2035 and divesting from certain electric-bike, battery, and software ventures. Furthermore, the company raised substantial capital through the sale of its stakes in Bugatti Rimac and the Rimac Group, enabling it to reallocate resources more effectively and make more deliberate strategic bets in its future product development.

A crucial aspect of Porsche's enduring brand identity is the 911, which Leiters has explicitly confirmed will remain exclusively gasoline-powered, without a fully electric variant. This stance aligns with Porsche's long-held position, reinforced by the current Carrera GTS model that integrates hybrid technology as an assist rather than a full replacement for the combustion engine. The company has also ruled out a plug-in hybrid version for the 911, citing concerns about added weight and size compromising the vehicle's inherent characteristics. In contrast, the electric 718, a smaller sports car, is still under development, showcasing Porsche's flexibility in electrifying models where it aligns with customer expectations and product characteristics. This differentiated approach, supported by leveraging Volkswagen Group's shared technology platforms, allows Porsche to progress with electrification in suitable segments while preserving the unique essence of its most celebrated model.

Porsche's strategic direction under Michael Leiters marks a pivotal moment for the luxury sports car manufacturer. It underscores a pragmatic commitment to innovation in electric mobility while steadfastly upholding the legacy of its traditional combustion engine vehicles. By carefully balancing these two paths, Porsche aims to strengthen its market position, adapt to evolving consumer preferences, and secure its long-term success in a dynamic automotive industry.