For years, Toyota’s Gazoo Racing (GR) has built its reputation on small, high-performance engines, sharp-handling cars, and a focus on driving excitement. As such, models like the Toyota GR Yaris and Toyota GR Corolla have been embraced by fans, demonstrating that the brand still knows how to make enthusiasts smile. However, as new emission rules and regulations emerge, and the push towards electrification intensifies, one question arises: How will GR maintain its edge in the coming years?
The answer to that question may lie in what Toyota Australia’s Sales and Marketing boss, Sean Hanley, has shared. In an interview with the Australian media outlet Drive, the executive stated that Toyota GR is now focusing on the evolution of the GR brand by restructuring its hybrid technology development.
To put this into perspective, Toyota aims to split its hybrid technology into two categories – Efficiency Hybrid and Performance Hybrid. The former is now used in Toyota’s popular models, such as the Corolla Cross, the Yaris Cross, and the RAV4 PHEV. It’s engineered to save fuel and maximize the advantage of using full electric vehicle (EV) mode in certain situations. The latter, on the other hand, combines gasoline engines with electric motors not for economy, but to enhance power, torque, and driving response. Examples of Toyota models that run with performance hybrid include the Toyota Tundra and the Toyota Land Cruiser.
The Tundra, for example, uses a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine with a 36kW electric motor. Combined, the powertrain delivers 437 hp and 790 Nm of torque. The Toyota Land Cruiser Hybrid, meanwhile, is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder hybrid that’s rated at 326 hp and 577 Nm.
When asked if the Performance Hybrid could make its way to Toyota’s GR models, Hanley’s response was a clear, “100 per cent.” This suggests that the Performance Hybrid could form the backbone of future Toyota GR models, especially as governments worldwide impose tougher emission regulations.
If successful, this could open the door for the next GR Supra, a revived Toyota MR2, and even a Toyota Celica resurrection, all of which would benefit from a hybrid powerplant that focuses on performance and spirited driving – things enthusiasts love the most. But here’s the thing – this technology may have already seen the light in the form of the recently unveiled Lexus Sport Concept, a sports car that’s speculated to be the successor to the Lexus LFA. Although the brand has yet to confirm its official technical specs.
Hanley also highlighted Toyota’s racing efforts, noting that the company has been testing performance hybrid technology in events such as Le Mans. With racing serving as the common proving ground for future automotive technology, it’s reassuring to know that Toyota Gazoo Racing will continue to thrive in the bright, electrified future.
