Tag Archives: gazoo racing

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Toyota confirms Celica development project is underway!

We must thank Toyota for continuing to produce a lineup of high-performance car models in the modern era for the enjoyment of its fans.

After years of rumors circulating, Toyota has finally confirmed that the iconic Celica nameplate will be making a comeback.

The announcement was made by Toyota’s Executive Vice President, Yuki Nakajima, in conjunction with the recent hosting of Rally Japan.

“Honestly, there are no signs (of the Celica) at this time. However, there are many people within the company who are eagerly awaiting the return of the Celica.

“So, I wonder if I can say this in a public forum, but we are developing the Celica!”

This latest development comes just weeks after Toyota hinted at new sports cars, including the Celica, GR GT3, and MR2, in the animated series GRIP, as well as updates to the existing lineup (GR86, GR Supra).

Interestingly, at the 2024 SEMA show, Toyota also seized the opportunity to showcase a concept car named the GR86 Rally Legacy Concept, inspired by the 1990s Celica GT-Four.

In addition to a Castrol-style livery, the GR86 is equipped with a GR Yaris engine producing 300 hp and 370 Nm of torque, paired with a GR-Four all-wheel-drive system to embody the Celica theme being brought back.

Are you excited about the return of the Celica name?

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Toyota GR Starlet to be launched in 2026 as an affordable and practical FWD hot hatch

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The news about the revival of the Starlet model has long been circulating online.

According to the Japanese publisher Best Car Web, Toyota is planning to reintroduce the Starlet model as a replacement for the discontinued Toyota Passo.

Not only that, the Gazoo Racing racing division also plans to produce a turbocharged hot hatch GR Starlet (unofficial name) that will serve as the basis for the WRC Rally 4 racing vehicle.

The new Starlet model may use the same TNGA-B platform as the Yaris, but with smaller dimensions.

Best Car Web estimates the dimensions of the Starlet to be 3,850 mm in length, 1,725 mm in width, 1,475 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,450 mm.

For comparison, the Toyota Yaris (TNGA platform) measures 3,940 mm in length, 1,745 mm in width, 1,500 mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2,560 mm.

Unlike the GR Yaris, which uses the G16E-GTS 1.6-liter turbo engine, the GR Starlet may use a more simplified powertrain.

According to sources, the new hot hatch will be equipped with a 1.3-liter turbocharged inline-three engine based on the earlier 1.6-liter turbo engine, producing about 150 hp, front-wheel drive system, and a six-speed manual transmission.

Due to the absence of the all-wheel-drive GR-Four system, it also contributes to a lighter weight, approximately 980 kg, or 300 kg lighter than the GR Yaris.

Additionally, the actual production model of the Starlet is expected to appear in 2026, while the rally car Starlet will showcase its prowess in the 2027 racing season.

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Toyota wants to make more sports cars for you, admits hard to work solo

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For Toyota enthusiasts, they may be eagerly anticipating the emergence of new sports car models such as the successors to the MR2 or Celica.

However, Toyota cannot haphazardly spend money on research and development (R&D) for a product targeted towards a niche group.

Previously, Toyota has collaborated with Subaru to develop the GR86/BRZ, followed by BMW for the GR Supra/Z4. The Japanese brand is determined to release more sports cars, but they acknowledge the challenges of going solo in this endeavor.

Speaking to the Australian media, Toyota Gazoo Racing President Tomoya Takahashi stated, “the sports car market is shrinking in the future. We cannot sustain sports cars as a single brand, Toyota. Collaboration between brands will increase in the future.”

He further expressed, “this mission is not about helping manufacturers survive but to protect car enthusiasts. This is why we need to collaborate to share costs and subsequently implement sports car projects.”

Similar to a rapidly expanding restaurant, Toyota has a few new ‘menus’ that will be served to its customers. Among those on the list are the affordable FR coupe S-FR, the FWD hot hatch Starlet, the Celica coupe, MR2, and a Toyota GR GT3 race car prototype already spotted at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

However, before launching impractical sporty models, Gazoo Racing will likely introduce a lineup of high-performance SUVs tailored for families seeking more space.

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Toyota will revive the legendary Celica name – 2.0L turbo, 400hp, GR-Four AWD

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EVEN with the existing lineup of sports car models (GR Supra, GR Yaris, GR Corolla & GR86), Toyota Gazoo Racing plans to revive some iconic names that once dominated the world. These include the Toyota MR2/MRS and Toyota Starlet.

The latest report from Japan reveals that Toyota intends to resurrect the Celica name as one of the high-performance models under the Gazoo Racing brand.

Unlike the rumors circulating last year, Toyota aims to take a more traditional approach, with the Celica re-emerging as a GR model paired with a 2.0L inline-four-cylinder engine producing 400 hp.

The Japanese publication also disclosed that the development of the high-performance engine had actually begun several years ago and would be fully ready before it is announced by Akio Toyoda at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon.

With the combination of the AWD GR-Four drive system, it is a fitting step to revive the spirit of the Celica GT-Four while simultaneously paying homage to the success of previous Celica models in rallying.

Best Car Web predicts that the new Celica model will be revealed as early as January next year at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon. In addition to the Celica, Toyota is reportedly developing a hot hatch version of the Starlet designed as a rally-focused vehicle in the Rally4 WRC class.

Unlike the more comprehensive and powerful GR Yaris, this ‘GR Starlet’ will utilize a smaller-displacement (1.3-liter) turbocharged inline-three-cylinder engine and a more compact front-wheel-drive system.

The same platform will also be used by Toyota for another entry-level rear-wheel-drive sports car model, the S-FR, which is said to be capable of generating up to 150 PS and 220 Nm of torque.

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Toyota GR Supra production to end in 2026, Magna Steyr plant lays off 500 workers – report

THIS is an unpleasant news, as you only have a two-year window to acquire a Toyota GR Supra grand tourer model before production ceases in 2026.

This is due to reports from Automobilwoche stating that vehicle manufacturer Magna Steyr, based in Graz, Austria, will lay off approximately 500 workers after the production of several key models like the BMW 5 Series, Jaguar E-Pace and I-Pace, and the Fisker Ocean comes to an end.

For your information, the same factory is also utilized to assemble the non-identical twin models BMW Z4 and Toyota GR Supra since 2019. Carscoops quoted Vice President of Toyota Motor North America, Dave Christ, who explained, “we collaborated with BMW, and it has been a success.”

He further added, “we will reassess the situation going forward. I think, if we want to build something, we will think about how to do it.” These statements suggest that Toyota is likely to develop a new generation of the GR Supra independently or potentially engage in a partnership with a different manufacturer.

The Toyota GR Supra is a high-performance mass-produced car created by Toyota Gazoo Racing, following its previous offerings of limited production models under the sub-brand GRMN (Gazoo Racing Meister of Nurburgring).

It comes in two engine versions, a 2.0-liter inline-four engine producing 258 hp and 400 Nm, or a 3.0-liter inline-six engine generating up to 382 hp and 500 Nm, powering the rear wheels.

Initially, the GR Supra was only available in an automatic version, with a specially developed manual transmission becoming available in 2022, limited to inline-6 engine Supra models.

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Toyota is updating the 2024 GR Corolla with aluminum tapes

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A car often undergoes subtle unadvertised changes throughout its sale period. Manufacturers may alter fastening shapes, improve potentially damaged components, or seek ways to reduce costs.

For the 2024 Toyota GR Corolla, there are few changes, including new bolts, a pair of air ducts, and four pieces of aluminum tape for improved aerodynamics.

We are particularly interested in the latter, the aluminum tape. How can such a simple, light, and inexpensive item have an impact on aerodynamics?

In a video released by Ken Gushi, showcasing the installation of 2024 components on his 2023 GR Corolla, the adhesive tape is seen as a curious upgrade for him as well.

The tape comes in the 2024 upgrade package alongside new rear subframe bolts, new steering bolts, air ducts, and the aforementioned tape. One might expect the tape to help seal air gaps or reinforce flexible parts, but instead, it controls electrostatic discharge.

This concept has since been patented by Toyota. The car generates positive charges while driving, and the surrounding air is also charged. When two positively charged objects touch, the air around them is disturbed.

According to Car Watch, this idea has been around since the mid-2010s and was initially tested on the Toyota 86. During the development of the 86 facelift model, Toyota engineers identified inconsistent behaviors among test car units, especially when the front bumper material was changed from prototype specifications to production specifications.

This led to the study of electrostatic discharge and the discovery that aluminum tape solved this issue and seemingly improved aerodynamics like magic