I TOLD YOU IT WASN'T A BAD IDEA!
 

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/20/t...ersion-of-amg/

TMG is shooting for a WRC debut in 2014 with a turbocharged 1.6-liter Yaris, and buyers will be able to purchase an FIA version of the model for around €25,000.

Looks like I get my turbocharged Yaris:burnrubber:

A factory-backed tuner.. isn't that what TRD is supposed to be? Like NISMO is to Nissan?

From that I understand, short of wheels/basic bolt-ons/accessories, TRD hasn't had a hand in the production process. Unlike AMG and further unlike BMW's M division.

despite the article, I wouldn't be surprised if these vehicles are branded in the US with TRD since its already a known "brand." Though I suppose Lexus could go with F-Sport.

Toyota needs to make up their minds though because in the past years we've had TRD, L-tuned, F-Sport, TTE, T-Sport, and one other sub-TRD brand I barely remember (kaizen?). Now we'll have TMG as well?

A turbo Yaris is a good first step but a crazy-engineered Lexus LS is a major leap above that. They'll need a good sports car that goes in-between (Supra.. Pleeeeeeease!) to serve as a poster car.

Oh i gotcha. I agree that they need to just stick with TRD. I don't think many people take TRD seriously-- perhaps because of how semi-active they are?

I feel like they should try to reinvigorate TRD as they did with Scion by dropping an amazing item into their resume (by adding the FRS.) I know that this idea has been beaten to death, but i really think the Supra should come back-- additionally, it should be slathered in TRD goodies so that both Toyota and TRD could be taken seriously again.

Although to clarify, i really think the GT86 has grabbed the world by the shoulders and declared, "Toyota is coming back," so i'm not trying to say the GT86 isn't making Toyota more reputable. But i think it was the first step of a few they need to take to really reinvent themselves.

TMG is basically TRD in Europe. They were in charge of F1, now LeMans and apparently rally efforts. Toyota Technocraft is TRD Japan. They cover Formula Nippon, GT500/GT300, the 24hr race with the hybrid Supra etc... TRD USA is NASCAR, Baja, Indy/Cart (past), and selling re-branded so-so aftermarket parts to Scion owners.

They are all Toyota.

Sounds like it is basically what prodrive is to Subaru. I doubt any production cars will come out of this except maybe special editions like the prodrive p1 impreza. When they say you can buy the turbo Yaris it means you can buy a turnkey race car version, similar to how you can buy a group n impreza from prodrive or an r2 fiesta from Ford.

Not really. Prodrive was a factory-backed independant pro team. AFAIK Subaru and Prodrive's relationship is finished. TMG however is wholly owned by Toyota.

Prodrive still builds the Subaru cars for IRC, Group N, and PWRC.

Edit. Last I could find from them is 2010, so they might not do this anymore. I thought I have a magazine article from this year about their new impreza, I'll look for it tomorrow
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/20/p...impreza-n2010/

But no longer factory supported. They build and prep privateer Subarus at customer request. These days they are factory backed by Aston Martin and Mini/BMW.

TMG was started by, and is a direct subsidiary of, Toyota. See the difference?

Prodrive gets contracted by manufacturers.

Yeah, I'm not arguing that. I'm just saying they serve the same function, building works rally cars, not making aftermarket parts like TRD/STI. I don't think we'll see a TMG WRC homologation Yaris in dealers any time soon.

Gotcha.

The problem with that is a Group N STi costs $120,000, and a Fiesta R2 costs $60,000 (Both including the base car). The article says the Yaris is only going to cost 25k euro. That's $31,500USD, waaaay cheaper than either.

I'm getting my Turbo'd Yaris.

TRD has already sold a special turbo charged version of the Vitz/Yaris for the last 2 generation in Japan.
http://car.watch.impress.co.jp/img/c...038/322/01.jpg
http://car.watch.impress.co.jp/img/c...038/322/11.jpg