Nother CarGuy

When Subaru unveiled their second-gen BRZ last November, we thought Toyota’s version, the GR 86, would be close behind. Apparently, we’d have to wait five months, but in the meantime Toyota has been working hard to make the jointly-developed sports car feel more like their own. Now, the GR 86 makes its world debut as the third vehicle in Toyota’s GR lineup, coming after the GR Supra sports coupe and GR Yaris hot hatch. As with the first generation of the two sports coupes, Toyota and Subaru worked together on the new GR 86 and BRZ, with the two models having a nearly identical appearance, sans some minor details. In Toyota’s case, that meant first and foremost outfitting the GR 86 with the “Functional Matrix” grille similar to the one found on the GR Yaris, while the headlight LED signature is also slightly different compared to the BRZ. That’s not to say it’s not a prettier and more muscular design than before, with a lowered stance and curvier hips along with some other tweaks such a...

Toyota have really outdone themselves with the new GR Yaris, a subcompact hot hatch with state-of-the-art engineering and power levels that broke cover at the 2019 Tokyo Auto Salon. Positioned against the Ford Fiesta ST, Renault Clio RS and Volkswagen Polo GTI in terms of size, the Japanese supermini is way more powerful and adds something its rivals lack: an all-wheel drive system. How was this possible? By combining the front end of the GA-B platform that debuted in the new-gen Yaris with the rear of the GA-C architecture. This allows the implementation of the all-wheel drive system, as well as a new suspension design, with double wishbone set-up, front strut system and rear torsion beam. Stopping power comes from the 356 mm (14 in) ventilated front discs with four-piston calipers and 297 mm (11.7 in) ventilated rear discs with two-pot calipers. Powering the GR Yaris is the 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder that produces 261 PS (257 hp / 192 kW) and 360 Nm (266 lb-ft)...

At the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, Toyota brought the new-gen Supra closer to production by unveiling the GR Supra Racing Concept. However, it seems that the Japanese automaker is not quite done with exploring the range of the upcoming sports car, as they have now announced another study. Called the Toyota GR Supra GT Concept, it will premiere at the 2019 Tokyo Auto Salon, held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, between January 11 and 13. The only thing announcing its presence at the event, besides the very basic press release, is a teaser image. It shows the profile of the car, featuring a large rear wing sitting on the boot lid and a generously-sized diffuser, along with what seems to be a special color scheme on the outside. Joining Toyota’s new GR Supra GT Concept at the 2019 Tokyo Auto Salon will be the Lexus LC Nurburgring-spec, Yaris WRC and TS050 Hybrid, as well as a Supra that participated in past domestic races. From this lot, the LC, Yaris and TS050 Hybrid ar...

Toyota Gazoo Racing has used the 24 Hours of Le Mans of announce plans to build a next-generation super sports car. The company was tight-lipped on specifics but seemed to suggest the car was previewed by the GR Super Sport concept. While Toyota wasn’t ready to go into details, the automaker said the production model is already under development and will use “cutting-edge hybrid electric systems and fuel efficiency technologies” that the World Endurance Championship team has tested and refined over the past six years. In a statement, Toyota Gazoo Racing President Shigeki Tomoyama said “Competing in the World Endurance Championship – one of the most demanding motorsport series – and racing at Le Mans helps us to advance the development of our world-leading hybrid electric technology and enables us to transfer the knowledge we gain to our production cars.” He went on to say the automotive industry is “approaching an era of big changes” and Toyota still has a “passion for making ca...