Toyota to Unveil RSC 'Rugged Sport Coupe' Concept at Chicago Auto Show

    TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 29 Toyota will unveil its RSC
"Rugged Sport Coupe" concept vehicle at a press conference at the 2001 Chicago
Auto Show.
    The Toyota RSC concept was initiated and developed by CALTY, Toyota's
North American design center in Newport Beach, Calif.  According to CALTY vice
president of design, Kevin Hunter, the RSC concept was developed to explore
new possibilities for a next-generation sporty car.
    "Traditionally, sports cars are influenced by high performance on-track
motor sports," said Hunter.  "For the RSC concept, we looked at one of the
world's most popular off-track racing formats for inspiration.  Toyota's long
history in the World Rally Championships, along with the aggressive, rugged
appeal of its race cars with a young audience, made for an ideal conceptual
direction."
    The Toyota press conference will be held in the Grand Ballroom at
McCormick Place at 9:15 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 7.