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Maybe it is a little better now:
I have never driven neither the new toyobaru (they will arrive in June in Europe) nor the new ’13 GC (I have only test driven the old model) BUT I think that the GC has a great potential: if stock for stock the toyobaru is for sure more fun even is the Gc is faster on straight line with some upgrades it could achieve an high level of performance: its revised turbo engine is capable of about 320whp and 45kgm of torque (with the stock turbo and internals using only bolt ons) together with a proper suspension setup its “grand touring soul” can be washed away. Another problem of the Korean car is the weight: with 1530kg is quite fat (but we do not have to forget that it is a 4.63 m car and 4 adults can seat quite comfortably – I am 1.95 m tall and i could seat in the back seats quite well, the only problem was the roof height, with the toyobaru I have serous doubts to even seat in a decent manner-) but is possible to shave some weight quite easily: changing wheel with lighter ones (also using 18’ Instead of 19’), cf hood, bucket seats, lighter exhaust and battery is possible to shave around 90kg (all the weights are based on actual experience). With these mods the gc would be a totally different animal even though toyobaru would still also be more tactile and light on its feet but without a decent engine I think that it would be impossible to exploit its wonderful chassis. We do not have to forget that changing tires (with stickier ones, I think that everyone will do this especially who want to track its car) and suspension will make this car less funny to drive due to its higher grip that its engine and torque (or the lack of it…) can not overtake. With a turbo would be a totally different stoy though…
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