JZA80 Group Forum - by German Supra MKIV Group e.V.

Toyota will debut a new "sports car series" at a special event in Japan next month, which is rumored to align with GRMN (Gazoo Racing Masters of Nürburgring). The brand launched GRMN with a Toyota Yaris GRMN in Europe to compete with subcompact pocket rockets like the Fiesta ST and Polo GTI. It's unclear if the performance sub-brand will reach North America, but it's all but confirmed the next Toyota Supra will sit as its crown jewel. The Toyota 86 and a production version of the S-FR concept will round out the new sub-brand.

Offiziell feierte das BMW Z4 Concept bereits in Pebble Beach seine Weltpremiere, für die meisten Besucher der IAA 2017 ist die Roadster-Studie dennoch brandneu und mindestens so spannend wie andere Fahrzeuge, die in Frankfurt zum allerersten Mal gezeigt werden. Die seriennahe Vorschau auf den für 2018 angekündigten BMW Z4 G29 glänzt mit ihren scharfen Proportionen und der Lackierung in Frozen Energetic Orange im Scheinwerferlicht von Halle 11 und zieht längst nicht nur deutsche Besucher an wie ein Magnet – auch für viele Besucher aus Japan ist der Z4 ein echtes Messe-Highlight.

Die Ursache dafür wird in wenigen Wochen in Tokio präsentiert und soll ebenfalls 2018 als Toyota Supra J29 auf den Markt kommen. Der neue Sportwagen aus Japan wurde Seite an Seite mit dem Z4 von BMW entwickelt und verkörpert aus Sicht vieler Toyota-Fans die Hoffnung auf eine echte Fahrspaß-Maschine mit überlegener Performance. Während der BMW Z4 G29 nach aktuellem Stand ausschließlich als Roadster in den Handel kommt, geht die Toyota Supra immer als Coupé an den Start.

Toyota Motor Corp. is introducing a high-performance series consisting of souped-up staples as it accelerates efforts to jazz up its image.

The “GR” series made its debut in Japan with seven variants including the Prius plug-in hybrid and Vitz subcompact at an event in Tokyo on Tuesday. Toyota will expand the lineup later this year and plans to increase the number of countries where the vehicles are offered.
President Akio Toyoda has been working to reinvigorate the Toyota and Lexus brands after lamenting that consumers perceived the cars to be well-made but boring to drive. The initiatives have gathered pace with the debut of the LC500 coupe from the luxury arm last year and a complete redesign of the Camry, America’s best-selling car, which Toyoda labeled “sexy” at its unveiling in January.

At the Tokyo Motor Show next month, Asia’s biggest automaker is tipped to show a concept for an all-new Supra, its halo sports car that ended production in 2002.

Toyota established GAZOO Racing -- for which the GR series is named -- as an in-house company in April to oversee sports car planning, design and production. The unit has its own budget and team of designers and engineers.

The rumored Toyota sports car range has become a reality at home in Japan, and will gradually be rolled out across overseas markets as well, but so far fans are heartbroken because the Supra wasn’t there as well.

The Japanese automaker is introducing a new “GR” series at home in Japan with a three-tier roster for the performance models in the range – topped by the “GRMN” models, and joined by the mid-level GR and entry-level “GR Sport.” And even owners of standard models are able to join the party – because the maker is also premiering “GR Parts”, components readily available to tune their cars. At least the GR series is comprehensive – you start at the very bottom with the Vitz GRMN, which is the local version of the European Yaris GRMN, go through even the Prius hybrid and reach as far as the Harrier SUV or Noah MPV.

Naturally the best fit for the GR derivation is the 86 coupe, which is treated to new aero components, Sachs shock absorbers, a Torsen limited-slip differential, and larger brake calipers. The interior is adorned with Recaro seats and a smaller steering wheel. Our favorite is the Vitz GRMN, packing the supercharged 1.8-liter gasoline engine good for 209 horsepower (156 kilowatts) and 184 pound-feet (250 Newton-meters). The special treatment includes BBS forged aluminum wheels, an LSD, and a slightly more aggressive body kit, along with sporty seats and the smaller steering wheel. The GR series first arrives in Japan, with a gradual rollout in other regions – along with new “GR Garage” shops acting as regional bases for Toyota Gazoo Racing.