Toyota presents ‘GR GT3’ concept
Toyota’s expansion of their Gazoo Racing (GR) performance arm was evidenced at January’s Tokyo Auto Salon with the debut of a GT3 concept and a tuned version of the turbocharged, all-wheel drive GR Yaris.
Additionally, Toyota presented a GR86 fitted with parts produced by Japanese racing driver Masahiro Sasaki and announced that more reproduction parts were coming from the GR Heritage Parts Project in 2022, including items to suit the A70 and A80 Supra, AE86 Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno, 2000GT and even the LandCruiser 40 Series..
GR GT3 Concept
While past GR-badged vehicles have been based on production Toyotas, the ‘GR GT3 Concept’ has no obvious connection to any existing model. However, as Toyota already has a GT4 version of their GR Supra, it seems likely that the GR GT3 Concept may sit above that as an all-new halo model, while also replacing the Lexus RC F as Toyota’s entry in GT3 class racing.
For now, Toyota are promoting the concept as an example of “driver first” car development for use in GT3 competition worldwide (which the Japanese carmaker describes as the pinnacle of customer motorsports), rather than foretelling a future road car.
This runs contrary to existing GT3s from the likes of Bentley, Porsche, McLaren, Aston Martin and Mercedes-AMG, all of which are based on production cars, albeit ones with small annual production numbers. More importantly, FIA GT3 rules have excluded prototypes and concepts since 2018, so if Toyota want to take the GR GT3 Concept racing they have to build at least ten production versions annually.
As well as various GT categories around the world, the GR GT3 Concept could be the forerunner of a new Toyota Gazoo Racing Le Mans contender, too, as the FIA World Endurance Championship and Le Mans 24 Hours will switch from GTE to GT3 regulations in 2024.
No specs on the dimensions, drivetrain or performance of the GR GT3 Concept have been provided, but a turbo petrol V8 driving the rear wheels has been rumoured. Regardless of the drivetrain, Toyota say they intend to use feedback and technologies from various motorsport activities with this vehicle to develop GT3 competition and production cars and “further promote making even better motorsports-bred cars”.
The release of the GR GT3 Concept follows Nissan’s presentation of a heavily-modified version of their new Z sports coupe for the GT500 class in the Japanese Super GT Series, where a GR Supra is Toyota’s current contender.
GRMN Yaris
The other car of note presented at Tokyo Auto Salon was the ‘GRMN Yaris’, which takes the GR Yaris and, based on the input of professional drivers, upgrades numerous elements to improve performance.
According to Toyota, the GRMN Yaris was born from a desire to “deliver cars to customers that evolve quickly and can be tailored to individuals, like in the field of motorsports.”
As a tuned version of the GR Yaris, the GRMN version features a weight reduction of up to 20kg, a stiffer body thanks to more welds, a lower overall height and increased width amongst the major changes. The weight reduction is achieved through removing the rear seats and fitting a carbon fibre roof and bonnet.
A mechanical limited-slip diff, close-ratio six-speed manual transmission and low final drive ratio features in the GRMN Yaris, too.
The standard GR Yaris produces 200kW at 6500rpm and 370Nm at 3000-4600rpm from its turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. While the GRMN Yaris offers no power increase and only 20Nm more torque, the weight reduction and other changes result in a car that’s not only faster, but offers improved cornering, grip and braking, according to Toyota.
Available ‘Rally Package’ and ‘Circuit Package’ upgrades offer extra dealer-fitted kit over the base GRMN spec, with the Rally Package adding GR shocks and stabiliser links, GR underbody protection and a GR roll bar. The Circuit Package adds items like BBS 18-inch alloys, adjustable Bilstein shocks, 457mm brake discs, side skirts, a front lip spoiler and carbon fibre rear spoiler. Matte Steel paint is available with this package, too.
Additionally, Update and Personalisation programmes allow for motorsport-developed hardware and software technologies to be added as they become available. Toyota can also provide tailored customisation options to suit the owner’s preferences.
Only 500 units of the GRMN Yaris will be produced, with the Circuit Package limited to 50 units within that total. Sales are limited to Toyota ‘GR Garages’ in Japan and will commence in mid-2022.
For existing GR Yaris owners in Japan, a selection of GR parts that allow “some of the experience of the GRMN Yaris” will be available later in 2022.
