Photo: Toyota
Just like Lexus has the F series of high-performance automobiles, Toyota wants to replicate the formula with a yet-unnamed line of models. According to the media, Toyota will make an announcement in Tokyo this coming month.
According to Automotive News, “it is unclear whether the new products will be offered outside Japan.” Described as being a “new sports car series,” it’s hard to tell what Toyota is actually on about considering the existence of TRD in America and of GRMN in Europe thanks to the advent of the Yaris GRMN.
The report adds that the yet-unnamed division could work its magic on the 2018 Toyota Supra, which could make an appearance as a pre-production concept at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. Production of the eight-speed automatic-only J29 Supra, meanwhile, is scheduled to start next year, and the list of engines is topped by a 355-hp force-fed inline-six developed by BMW.
The bottom line is, the Japanese automaker might be trying to repackage itself into a company that promises something more than reliability and utility (i.e. something exciting). “The move comes as Toyota tries to develop a reputation for cars that are emotional and aspirational,” adds Automotive News, and that’s perfectly in line with what other mainstream automakers are trying to do.
If we’re to believe what the rumor mill has to say on this matter, the new sports car series might be necessary in order to create a successor for the MR2. Hinted by Gazoo Racing head honcho Tetsuya Tada earlier in 2017, a reborn MR2 is expected to make it to production with S-FR concept-like styling cues.
At the present moment, the only go-faster models Toyota can be proud about are the GT 86 and Yaris GRMN. No, the V6-powered Camry doesn’t count, nor does the off-road take on the Tacoma. With so few performance-oriented cars in the lineup, the time is high for Toyota to step up its game, make no mistake about that.
The report adds that the yet-unnamed division could work its magic on the 2018 Toyota Supra, which could make an appearance as a pre-production concept at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. Production of the eight-speed automatic-only J29 Supra, meanwhile, is scheduled to start next year, and the list of engines is topped by a 355-hp force-fed inline-six developed by BMW.
The bottom line is, the Japanese automaker might be trying to repackage itself into a company that promises something more than reliability and utility (i.e. something exciting). “The move comes as Toyota tries to develop a reputation for cars that are emotional and aspirational,” adds Automotive News, and that’s perfectly in line with what other mainstream automakers are trying to do.
If we’re to believe what the rumor mill has to say on this matter, the new sports car series might be necessary in order to create a successor for the MR2. Hinted by Gazoo Racing head honcho Tetsuya Tada earlier in 2017, a reborn MR2 is expected to make it to production with S-FR concept-like styling cues.
At the present moment, the only go-faster models Toyota can be proud about are the GT 86 and Yaris GRMN. No, the V6-powered Camry doesn’t count, nor does the off-road take on the Tacoma. With so few performance-oriented cars in the lineup, the time is high for Toyota to step up its game, make no mistake about that.
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