TOYOTA BOSS IMPLIES MORE GR PERFORMANCE MODELS ARE EN ROUTE
- New Toyota CEO Koji Sato has implied more GR performance models are coming, per an interview with Autocar.
- Sato implied the Gazoo Racing brand's expansion will be led by his predecessor, Akio Toyoda, who is now the company's chairman.
- While details about future GR-branded Toyota models are scarce, we've heard rumors about a lightweight sports car.
If there's one thing we here at Car and Driver love, it's performance cars. It's why we're so smitten with Toyota and its enthusiast-focused renaissance, as seen by the recent release of multiple Gazoo Racing models, from the tossable GR86 and terrific GR Supra sports cars to the thrilling GR Corolla hot hatch. So it's with happy hearts that we've heard from across the pond that the company will reportedly give us more of a good thing.
New Toyota CEO Koji Sato spoke with British publication Autocar and said there will be future GR-branded models. He also suggested their development could be sped up, implying that his predecessor, Akio Toyoda, who is now the company's chairman, could be the one to lead the way.
"Our Master Driver was also president of the company at the same time as he had a steering wheel in his hand for Gazoo. Now he is only chairman maybe he will have a lot more time to develop cars for them?" Sato told Autocar.
While Toyota's plans to expand the GR brand may sound like a no-brainer, it's still good to hear Sato say it aloud. After all, the company's recent reorganization and revised product strategy will include a bigger commitment to electrification, which could have an impact on enthusiast models like those from Gazoo Racing.
There currently aren't any details on what these new GR models will be. We've heard rumors that Toyota and Suzuki are working together on a new lightweight gas-powered sports car, which has been linked to the Toyota Sports EV pictured above. There has also been talk of a the electric Toyota bZ4X SUV getting the GR performance treatment. It sounds like a GR Camry also isn't out of the realm of possibility.
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