Autocar confidential: Renault Sport, Toyota, Fiat, Skoda

This week's gossip from the automotive industry has news of Renault Sport's interest in electric, Toyota's denial of a Supra teaser, the next-gen Fiat 500's arrival and Skoda's China-only Kodiaq coupé.

Renault Sport considers electric

Renault Sport has been looking at electric sports cars, according to its boss, Patrice Ratti, but it maintains that battery size is the sticking point. “It is not difficult to make an electric sports car,” he said. “The challenge is to do it with the size of the battery of the [electric] Zoe.” He added: “The advantage of an electric motor is a lot of torque in a small package.”

Read more: Renault Clio RS16 won't make production, Driving an eRally Renault Zoe

Supra teaser 'a coincidence'

In Autocar magazine earlier this month we brought you a scoop on the new Toyota Supra, and the firm has now dropped its own hint about the sports car’s arrival. A Toyota Yaris Hybrid TV advert features a car with the numberplate ‘260 SUP’, alluding to the fast model. A Toyota spokesman said: “It’s a nice idea, but I’m afraid it’s just a coincidence.”

Read more: New Toyota Supra on course for 2018 launch

No need for a new 500

Fiat boss Olivier François won’t commit to a date for the arrival of the next-generation Fiat 500. It’s the 500’s 70th birthday next year, sparking speculation that a new one might be ushered in, but the message from the boss is that while the current car is still selling so strongly (as it is across Europe), there’s no rush to cook up a new version.

Read more: Abarth 595 Competizione review

Kodiaq coupé not for Europe

The chances of the Skoda Kodiaq SUV-coupé being sold in Europe are said to be slim, despite the firm’s head of design, Josef Kaban, describing it as “sensationally hot”. Although some Skoda officials are said to be keen to sell the image-boosting car, research is believed to have shown that the majority of buyers would buy a standard Kodiaq. At present, it is set to be sold in China only.

Read more: Skoda Yeti - an epic journey through Butan, Vauxhall Grandland to compete with Skoda Kodiaq