Toyota's Japanese (Global) branch arm Gazoo Racing Brand, which is making a few headlines in recent years, have been leaking bits of plans for late 2020 and into 2021.

Before we get to the list, let me mention that "GR" is a limited edition package for lightly tuned cars.
"GRMN" is usually given to cars which have extensive modifications and are VERY limited, and are set far above the price of the sibling cars in normal line up, and usually built off-line by hand.

On the list of cars to be sold (not confirmed official) are...

Supra GRMN, with upgraded engine, rigid chassis tune, and revised brakes and suspensions.

Base "builder's SZ package" Supra for those who customize or prepare race dedicated cars.

A GT4 Customer Package (non street) racing car program for professional GT4 teams.

CH-R GR Edition, with retuned suspension and interior/exterior packages.

Corolla GR Edition and Touring Wagon (also with GR Edition)

And faint clues on a $40,000-ish "GRMN" Full Performance edition Corolla, complete with significant driveline differences and very limited numbers to be built at the Tahara factory. (Those of you who aren't versed in Toyota factories, this is one of two elite crafting site, along with Motomachi plant, produces some of the most precious Toyota cars like LC, LS, Land Cruisers, and skunkworks cars like the LFA and where A80 Supra and Celica GF-FOUR were built in the past.

The Century GRMN is also rumored to become available complete with performance upgrades used on Akio's own concept car, as well as the Emperor's protected model.

A Yaris GRMN, also related to the GRMN Corolla above, which might also be the shared sister platform limited edition from Tahara.

And of course the continual updates on the progress of the 2 million buck, GR Super Sport ultra-super-extreme-oh-my-god car which is basically a tamed street package of the TS050 LeMans LMP1 car....

(Based on periodic reports by "Best Car Magazine Web (Japanese media)

The post Toyota Gazoo Racing GRMN Specialty Cars Rumors for upcoming models in 2021 appeared first on Club4AG.

At the Toyota Museum in Nagoya sits a very normal looking and archaic Toyopet Crown from 1957. It has looks almost like a standard black chauffeured sedan for a company official of a firm, which the Crown was in those days, when Japan's average monthly income was about $200 for most people. It needs to be noted that this was only 12 years since Japan was leveled in a 4 year battle with the world, I mean not a building was standing not only in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but a dozen other cities. Tokyo was hit the worst and the firebombing displaced and killed far more people than the Atomic bombs collectively that exploded in rural areas. Japan was in a rapid rebuilding, and it was this era when Japanese car making grew to the form we call big manufacturers today.

Anyway, to get back to the story, this Crown was invited to the "Mobil Gas Round Australia" continental crossing rally-raid.
It was the first ever motorsport event for Toyota.
The putting little sedan made of truck chassis parts and 2/3rd scale BelAir, actually had tons of issues in this rally, but it managed to finish in the rally in 47th place, 3rd in the invitational class.
It was this car and this event that put the hair on the grown man's chest for Japanese racers. Finishing the race in cheers and crying joy, the members who prepared and funded this pack of guys were the companies and suppliers, 3 divisions of Toyota Sales, Toyota Manufacturing, Denso, Yamaha, Daihatsu. They called themselves the Team Toyota, or more colloquially as "The Nana-gi" (Seven Tech Squads of Racing). They later organized as a company division as TMSCR which would partake in random small rallies, from Asia, to Africa, and with hopes to reach the level required for World Rally. But the 1971 Oil Crisis would put an end to this. And at the same time, all remaining resources were handed to Ove Anderson of Team Toyota Europe to continue Rallying. That is the start of TTE in World Rally Championship, which we all know, continued till the famous Celica and Corollas that dominated in the 1990's.

By the late 1960's, things were very active on pavement too.
Specialty vehicle maker Technocraft started TRD in 1964 with an earlier name TOSCO. This company sprouted from making ambulances and police cars, taxi and such. They expanded to the USA in 1979 as TRD USA.
About the same time, two dealership networks competed and funded their own operations rivaling each other. Sigma Automotive started SARD Racing in 1972, and Tachi-Oiwa and company, founding TOM'S in 1974. Sard entered LeMans in 1975, and TOMS's in 1982, accompanied by DOME.

Also a little bit before that, famous Carroll Shelby of Ford GT, Ford AC Cobra and series of edition Mustangs, also campaigned the then-new, remarkable little sports car called the Toyota 2000GT in 1968 piloted by Davy Jordan. That's probably the first ever Toyota race car that ran in the USA in any major racing. SCCA C-Class Production.

With many more partners throughout the years, Toyota has been in more than 40 countries racing, from deserts of Sahara to the Indy 500, from Monaco to Fuji, and all up and down every continent on earth. Rod Millen, TTE, Sard, TOMS, Toyota F1 and WEC, Joe Gibbs Racing, TRD NASCAR, TRD NHRA, Precision Prep Inc, Tommi Makinen Rally Team, Toyota F1, Atlantic Series, Toyota Swiss, Dan Gurney, AAR, Netz, Cerumo, Can-Am, Hino Dakar, Team ACP Paris-Dakar, Anderson Motorsports, INDYCAR, Ivan Stewart Baja1000. I really can't name them all, but in no way is this list anything near exhaustive.

But I think the most amazing and puzzling thing about this huge history of racing by Toyota cars, that Toyota doesn't reflect much on them in a very collective way.
I hope with rekindled passion now being touted about the current CEO who holds his own FIA International Class A racing license, Akio "Morizo" Toyota, that such history becomes bound in a single timeline. But for now, he is too busy training each day for his next Nurburgring 24 or Japan Rally outing.
May the Force be with him!

Just like Toyota's racing cars, SUVs project an image of power, capability, and endurance. Dealers across the globe are seeing a surge in demand for suv cars second hand, as budget-conscious buyers seek out the utility and prestige these vehicles offer. A well-maintained, pre-owned SUV can be a fantastic option, and Toyota's reputation for reliability makes their used models especially attractive. So, while Akio "Morizo" Toyota hones his skills on the track, perhaps a strategic shift towards highlighting Toyota's racing pedigree could benefit both racing enthusiasts and car shoppers alike, especially those in the ever-growing market for second-hand SUVs.

While racing cars capture the thrill of speed and performance, having a reliable everyday vehicle is equally important for many drivers. This is where a well-chosen crossover or multi-purpose vehicle can make all the difference, offering practicality without sacrificing style or capability. Car dealers are increasingly recognizing the value of highlighting both high-performance models and dependable multi-purpose vehicles to meet the diverse needs of their customers. For example, desmeules & dubois, excel in providing a wide range of vehicles, from sports cars to pre-owned options, ensuring that buyers can find a car that fits their lifestyle and budget. By emphasizing the versatility and reliability of these versatile vehicles alongside their racing heritage, dealers can attract a broader customer base and satisfy the needs of those looking for a dependable vehicle for daily use.

The post Toyota's History in Racing in short summary... appeared first on Club4AG.

In addition, less serious but sporty packaged theme cars are available as standard options for each cars as well with more reasonable pricing. These care called the GR Editions.
2019 will schedule a Daihatsu Copen in GR form.

The New 2019 Toyota Supra will be designated GR as well for the first time in the USA, which marks a good sign that the Toyota USA has finally decided to uniformly market the "GR" logo along with the rest of the world's Toyota sports cars and racing program livery.

GRMN  Toyota Mark X (Limited to 350 Units, Japan only)

GR Copen (Daihatsu)

GRMN Toyota Century

GRMN Toyota 86 (2016)

Toyota Supra A90 with GR LOGO on every car. (2019)

Toyota Yaris GRMN - Inspired by the WRC Rally Car, retuned for grassroots racing. (2017)

The post GRMN - Gazoo Racing Special Edition Cars for 2019 revealed at Tokyo Auto Salon. appeared first on Club4AG.

This is one epic event that all Toyota fans should visit, especially in a year like 2018, when Toyota won the LeMans, World Rally Championship, Nascar, and Baja, conquered the single challenge of "The 5 Continents" and other formidable challenges.

These are some of the few photos I have. I should have got more, but I was way too busy with communication tasks on my business trips and meetings. But here are some, and enjoy these highlights!

The post The Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival 2018 appeared first on Club4AG.

Here are a few established journalists and seasoned professional driver's first impressions of the A90 Supra on the raceway.
Though still a pre-production versions, these are final versions of the prototype and pretty close to the real thing which will release in 2019.
Translated here for English audience, here is what they had to say.

Shimizu Kazuo, a veteran of the Japan Group A's legendary R32~33 Skyline Era, and JGTC, and a long established performance driving instructor and journalist, reviews the Supra at the very limits.

"Here is the Z4, err Supra...  OK jokes aside the Supra in comparison to the Z4, feels lighter, and as such allowing the car to be softer but with higher tactility.  It's a nice balance.
You can see that the interior is similar to the BMW, here so there isn't much to comment in addition to the already released Z4.
The nose of the car responds extremely well, so it is easy to induce an oversteer, optionally corrected by VDC or left to dance.  Either way, pleasurably.
It's half wet on the track today, but it seems to stabilize well.  Michelin Pilot Sport and it isn't a run-flat I think.
A typical well made front engine rear drive car.  A good balance as such indeed.  It has the character almost of what I recall driving the classic Hakosuka FR GTR, with a touch of that rawness in dynamics with a dose of stability of the A80 Supra.
The straight six just feels fantastic, and is something missing in feel today from even comparable target that is the Porsche Cayman, as those are now inline 4's.
The response and linearity of this engine, just makes so much pleasure in driving.
Despite the long nose, the wheel base is short, and the driving position in relation to the car is cabin forward in feel compared to traditional long nose, long wheelbase sports cars of the past.
Your  shoulder lands about in the middle between the front and rear wheels, hence the rotational center of your vision is just ahead of the wheel base center, with a near 50-50 balance.
Feedback, hence, is similar to the visual and inertially, similar to the Ferrari's modern front engine mid-ship cars.
It's about the price of two Mazda MX5 Roadsters today I assume, but well fitting of that pricepoint.
Humm.  Steering weight feels slightly more lively than the Z4.  VSC behavior is yet to be seen on the production models, as this prototype still has a few quirks to me.
I'm hoping to see how the final production car will feel, as it seems really promising. "

Yuki Imai, an established motor journalist and a FIA licensed driver, test drives the new A90 Supra.
Notice the letter S in the Supra name plate on the side sill? It is the shape and the view of the Adenauer-Frost Corner of the Nurburgring, from driver's seat!
And upon driving, she's shocked with the sound level being quite potent in cabin, and with a beautiful, strong note of the inline 6. It just feels fantastic on throttle!
The acceleration and exhaust note, blending with the mechanical song, just has this impeccable balance in this car to just feel very much connected seamlessly to emotions.
In this day and era, a car like this is rare. It needs to be celebrated.
The overall tactility from especially the suspension, has a strong flavor of Toyota cars, and quite different from its BMW siblings.
BMW of recent, loves to play with very strong flavoring differences among their line of car selection, some being ultra sharp and added harshness, and others being calmer and gentle to cater to a specific buyer.
This car however, has that Toyota philosophy where it focuses on the purity to what the car is intended, and refined with the proper balance of what is "proper," given the specific car.
It really strikes the right emotion, and one that is in accord with the GR movement at Toyota.
It's been a while since I am on Sodegawara Circuit, so I'm seeking the road a bit, but despite this, the car has phenomenal stability so as not to make me feel nervous.
I can confidently catch up to the visual feed with precise input on this raceway. It's great.
It's both communicative and dare I say, easy to take to the limits. That's my feeling, really in a nutshell.
Definitely a winner.

GT500 and TS020, and Nurburgring LFA Meister, Iida Akira takes a drive in the A90 Supra, and here is what he has to say.
We've enjoyed the return of the GT-R a decade ago, and now we are extremely happy to welcome a Supra returning.
It seems like an extension of the 86 in the best way. Added refinement and capability, with purposeful cabin, really lends to those who might graduate out of an 86, as the next step.
For those who feel the 86 is too youthful, it may be the best ticket.
For those who drive a Porsche or Mercedes Benz sports offerings, the Supra seems to have found enough class and refined luxury to give this Toyota a spin.
The steering is weighed nicely, with enough weight and road feel, unlike the lighter feel of stronger-assisted steer feeling of a typical BMW.
Interior is all hidden, but you can take a guess from the already released BMW Z4, and use your imagination.
His driving partner, Katsura san, feels that the throttle pedal weight and steering feel are a little different than a typical Toyota and through this project, hopes that this excellent feel is reflected in other future Toyota offering.
They both feel that the Supra has hit a point of refinement that should be well-deserving of praise, and despite the controversial topic of collaboration for a flagship, as a sports car, it's just on a different level.
They say the driver tactility is precise, and spot-on for this size and being what this is, a real sports car for drivers.
VSC is fine, safety is fine, and efficiency too is promising. And it is the driver who will have the ultimate effect on automobile safety, and for that, this is one of the best tools to engage that too.
They both will, buy one.
That's a good sign

Manabu Kawaguchi posts a wet track experience in the A90 Supra 
See it making a pretty good engine noise?
From the tone and note it sounds definitely like a straight six version.
It was a preview day so he wasn’t pushing it to risk but he was sliding the car out of composure to check for recoverability. Interior still covered but you can start to see this is a fun little car.
"It's a lively car, plenty of power felt despite the modest numbers on paper.  This is a light car!
It's wet today so I'll be careful.   It's an aggressive shape, but the driving feel is a much nicer, tactile, and well tuned balance with dose of comfort too.
It is truly a blend of what BMW does well, coupled with a strong feed of Toyota's current philosophy of car tuning.
The car can be darty with instant response when the driver wishes to flick the nose in, but and can be rocked loose, but will come back sharply with great corrective inputs of the systems within.
In normal mode VDC, the car will correct your aggression calmly and positively keeping you safe.
In sport mode, it allows you to hang a little looser but with a very good safety net where it counts.
With the VDC completely off, things seem to respond more tenaciously to driver's wishes.  But do be careful, it is a very capable car, and as such, drivers will need a bit of skills too.
What a mature car...  It's fun, docile, and refined.  It is what the Supra should have been all along?  Sure.
BMW flavors included?  That too.  But forget about that, we shall all celebrate that this definitely is a fine sports car."

And finally, without need for much translation, all of the premier Japanese tuner's reactions.

Masahiro Fujitsubo of Fujitsubo Exhaust Systems - "Damn it looks good, I wish we had it sooner so we could have a muffler ready by Tokyo Auto Salon, but we will in 2019!"
Ikeda of Trust/Greddy "Totally anticipated, and we will get right on it, we have to!"
Fujimura Auto - "Oh it's beautiful~"
Yokoyama of Phoenix Power - "It's great!  I see it has potential, and they even left a bit of room for me to put my work into it, I see it!  Hoping this will be the standard of next tuner car once again"
Yokomaku of VeilSide - "I'm so excited I wanted to just peel the making off the car!  It's been years. I want to work on it again...Seriously"
Tarzan Yamada - "They didn't let me drive it,  so I don't give a crap...  Err, ok I'm kidding, It's SPECTACULAR!!!"
Hiroyuki Iiri - "Yeah I saw it, it's smaller than I expected, and I really see something here.  It's a sports car!

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ALL TAKE NOTES! TOYOTA's RACING IS BACK on the priority list of things to do!

Gazoo Racing, Toyota Japan's global racing campaign, released the intentions and plans for 2016.
It includes the return to WRC with the Yaris RC car, and the revised Toyota TS050 Hybrid in WEC, the new RC-F GT in Nurburgring ADAC 24 Hour.

All Japan Rally with another Yaris, featuring the TOYOTA Young Drivers Program where they will be giving an upcoming drivers a chance at racing professionally.

Also on the agenda are Toyota 86 in the Super GT series, Super Formula, and Super Taikyu Endurance.

As you can see here, all of the Gazoo Entries will now have similar liveries, and really hammer in the point that TOYOTA is back in motorsports, all in, all the time in 2016!

http://gazoo.com/news/article/st1/Pages/news_160204.aspx?adid=ag169_160204

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2016 Toyota GRMN 86, Limited Production to 100 Units Unveils at Tokyo Auto Salon 2016

We've always stuck our necks out in hopes to buy the limited model from last year, the 14R60 sold only in Japan with a whole ton of cool track-ready and functional differences, some elaborate as much as dry carbon roof, and swan neck wing.  We never got them outside of Japan however, and this new model, also slated near $60,000 USD (Y6,400,000 JPY) is again slated for orders on Japan only next year starting on January 4th, 2016.
This GRMN considered some of the 14R60 complaints of not having a drastic engine spec changes over the standard 86.  And notably as a result, will come with completely hand-balanced, and built FA20 with internal components coated with friction reducing racing treatment, and plenty of tricks that took the Gazoo Nurburgring 24 Hour car to victory.  It's mated to a specially treated and rebuilt close ratio 6 speed manual box as well.  Catalog rating for the GRMN's engine is Naturally Aspirated 216ps/21.1kgm which is roughly 10% higher than normal FA20, but the biggest difference being the utter ability to spin smoother, and rev higher and endure much more abuse. It also produces peak torque at nearly 1000 rpm lower revs, as well as peak horsepower at 300 higher rpm, making the power delivery linear and stable all the way to upper ranges.

Among the more visible side of the tuning is much like the 14R60, where dry carbon roof as well as hood, and even trunk lid this time are used.  Side glass are all replaced with high gloss UV poly-carbonates, as well as the rear window.   Front glass is replaced with high-durability lightweight composite glass that reduces weight as well as adds rigidity.  More dry carbon can be found in the side garnish for the fenders, and bottom skirts and front lip area too.  All functionally designed in the Toyota R&D wind tunnels of course.
While there are these obvious exterior cues, most of the tuning is something only the extremely talented and capable drivers will notice, and as such, is a completely refined "driver's car" rather than something flashy conjured by marketing ideas.  Computer re-tune of the engine, throttle and ABS are obvious, but in this package, a very factory-only re-tune expertise are applied such as te-rune of the VSC, LSD actuation, steering programming, braking balance, and suspension damper valving, all original and extremely specific to these 100 cars.   The newly developed seats are from Recaro and are realigned at the reclining angle for the 86's cockpit as well.   Front brakes feature a racing mono-block 6 piston caliper and drilled rotors, and rear having now a 4 piston as well, and in addition to reclaim the body alignment added by the increased forces, there are strategic reinforcements both at the sub-frame add-on, as well as in the integral parts of the uni-body.   Despite all the additions though, combined with the replacement of dry carbon goods and interior upgrades, the weight is kept exactly the same as the standard model GT grade, at a mere 1230kg curb weight.  This means this car will move down a raceway quite differently than the standard 86 in the hands of a good driver.

In fact these, like the 14R60 will be taken offline from Subaru at mid-production, and hand assembled to this spec at the Toyota's Motomachi Plant where race cars, and extremely high end, low production cars like the Lexus LFA and last of the best Toyota Land Cruisers were hand-built as the normal agenda.  These 100 cars will slip through there and met with few dozen extremely qualified craftsmen for the assembly.  So in other words, this is the truly Toyota-built "86" when we consider all the important assembly that takes place here, and modified from the production standard 86.

(translated from Press Release materials Toyota Japan, Response article, and other sources.)
Photos: Response.jp

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