GR = Toyota new performance brand.

[Rampage]

Gazoo Racing (GR) has been officially announced as the new Toyota performance brand. https://www-forbes-com.cdn.ampprojec...nce-brand/amp/

Starts in Japan then expands to Europe. Will we ever see GR moniker performance Toyotas in NA?

[strat61caster]

Probably once they realize that TuRD is a joke nowadays.

Might get a few decent parts and special editions out of it, but they'll run it into the ground just like SHO, Si, AMG, M, etc. etc.

[Tcoat]

They probably will. We will get all the great improvements the BRZ guys got with the STi version.

[daiheadjai]

More of what the 86 was never missing: looks and handling.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Might get a few decent parts and special editions out of it, but they'll run it into the ground just like SHO, Si, AMG, M, etc. etc.

Ummmm.... I'm not quite sure that AMG has been run into the ground. From what I see AMG seems to be flourishing. (Disclaimer: there is nothing scientific in this statement; just the number of models they are turning out in greater numbers.) Sure , they are just a branch of MB but I'm thinking the accountants are happy.

Also, as a trend I think this is inevitable for 2 reasons.
1st/ Back in the day the 308 GTB was the first car I had a small lust for. It was a fast sports car. It produced 177 kW/237 bhp!! I am suggesting that average cars are so capable now there's not much left for the tuners to wring out on small budgets. BRZ/86/FRS produces 100hp/litre in an inexpensive market bracket. That was unachievable back when it was unachievable which wasn't that along ago.
2/ Legislation. Now there isn't much on a car that can be modified without the manufacture's consent or an engineer's certificate.

[strat61caster]

While the AMG badge still goes in some great cars, it goes on some duds as well like soft convertibles or hulking SUVs, it only stands for "more power" in most cases and with no MT options I don't really consider it an enthusiast brand, I suppose I was a little harsh.

And I don't mean run into the ground financially at all as BMW M cars are flourishing as well.

[Slammillionaire]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

While the AMG badge still goes in some great cars, it goes on some duds as well like soft convertibles or hulking SUVs, it only stands for "more power" in most cases and with no MT options I don't really consider it an enthusiast brand, I suppose I was a little harsh.

[Rampage]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Probably once they realize that TuRD is a joke nowadays.

Might get a few decent parts and special editions out of it, but they'll run it into the ground just like SHO, Si, AMG, M, etc. etc.

TRD will likely still be around and just be a label on bolt on parts. GR will be factory modified cars (probably using some TRD parts) which should raise the chassis level of performance. There is something to be said about buying an improved car from the manufacturer as opposed to bolting on a bunch of aftermarket parts and hoping that they work in harmony.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Rampage

There is something to be said about buying an improved car from the manufacturer as opposed to bolting on a bunch of aftermarket parts and hoping that they work in harmony.

I went and looked at the GR announcement thingy and the specs for the 86 version.

For Toyota it has been, and will continue to be "pay more, get less"

[R_E_L]

Looks like the Gazoo Racing models will be rebranded as TRD here in the US:
http://www.autonews.com/article/2017...e-waves-in-u-s

[krayzie]

Whatever happened to this?

[R_E_L]

Originally Posted by krayzie

Whatever happened to this?

It's still in the plan, just further down the line. from the article above:

"We are taking the challenge of adopting new tastes created in this process to stock cars as much as possible," Tomoyama said last week at the GR launch event here. "In its next phase, we will get a designated sports car platform and eventually — finally — we want to introduce a pure, genuine sports car, which can compete against top-class world competitors."

[Captain Snooze]

I know the car hasn't been released and I know it's just a mock up and I think the chances of this happening are so close to zero as to be uncalculatable but I seriously like the looks of this.