Photo: TMG
Remember the TS 650 made by Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) a while ago as a performance study? Well, according to latest reports, a production version won’t find its way into a dealership too soon. Boo and hiss.
TMG started beefing up a Lexus LS to show Toyota Motor Corporations their advanced skills. The end result seems to fit right in the slot Toyota and Lexus need to fill and rival Mercedes-Benz’ AMG branch - a 5-liter V8 sedan making 800 hp and coming with a fully redesigned suspension and extra aero parts.
Seeing this, everyone thought Toyota is really turning TMG into its performance branch, but according to Motoring’s interview with the team it seems this is an unachievable project. At least for now.
"I don't think you will find in the next four or five years a TMG car in any dealership," TMG business operations director Rob Leupen told the publication. "It will never be our intention to be a road car production company," he concluded.
The engineering team will continue to aid Toyota developing some of its technology, currently saying they are working on a manual-shift gearbox for the new RC F and IS F. Which sounds absolutely incredible, regarding Lexus’ lack of manual shifters. The team also said to try and fit a hybrid system to the next IS F.
As with the TS 650, TMG said it’s only purpose was to serve as a testing mule for different performance parts, and won’t reach production either.
On the other hand, who would buy a performance Toyota Corolla TMG, or an Avalon TMG. It sounds pretty stupid and the only brand TMG could have worked with is Lexus. But the luxury automaker already has its F marque which is doing pretty good if you look at the RC F. The new IS F might be in the chamber too and we think that will be a ballistic piece of kit, especially if TMG’s will somehow fit it with a hybrid powertrain.
Seeing this, everyone thought Toyota is really turning TMG into its performance branch, but according to Motoring’s interview with the team it seems this is an unachievable project. At least for now.
"I don't think you will find in the next four or five years a TMG car in any dealership," TMG business operations director Rob Leupen told the publication. "It will never be our intention to be a road car production company," he concluded.
The engineering team will continue to aid Toyota developing some of its technology, currently saying they are working on a manual-shift gearbox for the new RC F and IS F. Which sounds absolutely incredible, regarding Lexus’ lack of manual shifters. The team also said to try and fit a hybrid system to the next IS F.
As with the TS 650, TMG said it’s only purpose was to serve as a testing mule for different performance parts, and won’t reach production either.
On the other hand, who would buy a performance Toyota Corolla TMG, or an Avalon TMG. It sounds pretty stupid and the only brand TMG could have worked with is Lexus. But the luxury automaker already has its F marque which is doing pretty good if you look at the RC F. The new IS F might be in the chamber too and we think that will be a ballistic piece of kit, especially if TMG’s will somehow fit it with a hybrid powertrain.
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