| LexusFman |
12-28-2011 11:41 PM |
Who would've thought such a simple subject could be so complicated?
There are 2 types of performance brands
In house tuning divisions (TRD, F-Sport, Mopar, GM Racing, ect.)
All these divisions do is make performance parts for the company's road cars. They make things like exhausts, intakes, coilovers, ect. Sometimes they make different versions (Is-350 F-Sport) but usually only have light mods to the brakes, suspension, ect. and barley have any more horsepower. Currently, It seems Toyota has 2 of these, G Sports and TRD.
Performance Marques (F, AMG, ///M, Type R)
These divisions make trim lines or versions of cars that are far different than the original ones they produced. Usually they either put a larger engine or a Turbocharger in the car, bumping horsepower by 100 horsepower or more. Heavy modifications to the brakes, suspension, and frame are also commonplace. Think Dodge Neon vs SRT4, BMW 335i vs BMW M3, Lexus Is-350 vs Lexus Is-F. Honda Civic vs Honda Civic Type R. Currently Toyota only has Lexus F.
So, Do you think Toyota needs the second type of brand? The GT86 as it is looks like a good platform to tune on BUT I think there is room for improvement and I think Toyota knows that too. Toyota IMO should take the base hachiroku, add lightness somehow, put wider wheels/stickier tires, Turbo/swap,do something with the engine, change suspension to be even better, and draw out the raw potential this car has. If they do that however, they need a name for it. That way if they decide to make faster versions of different cars they can all use the same name. Kinda like how Honda started Type R with the NSX, Toyota could start something else with this car. I also think Toyota should make faster versions of the Corolla/Yaris. Dedicated sports cars are cool but not as practical as a sedan/hatchback. Especially if Toyota makes the faster GT86 ver. the lineup could fit nicely.
Corolla R and/or Yaris R= Around Civic Si in price, more practical.
GT86 R= High 20/low 30k, Dedicated Sports car, not as practical
Supra R= High 30/low 40k, Dedicated Sports car, more expensive.
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