During January's Tokyo Auto Salon, the mid-engine TGRR GR Yaris M concept was unveiled as the number-one item in "Morizo's Top 10 News Stories." At the recent Super Taikyu race in Okayama, the midship model finally took to the track.
Midship shifts mindsets
As President Takahashi explains, the technologies developed for the midship model have the potential to redefine design approaches and transform carmaking in the future.
President Takahashi
Although we have built up these technologies for the midship four-wheel-drive model, it doesn’t mean they can be adopted across all Toyota vehicles. We are looking specifically at the aerodynamics, finding ways to improve airflow.
I think making cars with aerodynamics in mind, rather than simply styling, could lead to a shift in how we approach car design.
It’s about focusing on aerodynamics over design aesthetics. Until now, we’ve always started by making the car look good, and from there, focused on improving quality and reducing the Cd (drag coefficient).
If we shift our mindset and begin the process by creating a form designed for airflow, then refine the details from there, I think we can change the way we make cars.
Toward commercialization
For this model, as with all of Toyota’s efforts to make ever-better cars through motorsports, the ultimate aim is commercialization. However, given the many issues that remain, no release date has been set. With this Super Taikyu debut, the midship model has merely taken its first steps.
That said, the TGRR GR Yaris M concept had no trouble accomplishing its goal of completing the three-hour race. Afterward, President Takahashi shared, “I’m relieved. It feels similar to the first time we raced the hydrogen-powered Corolla.”
The next round, the final race of the 2025 season, will be the Super Taikyu FINAL Thanks Festival held at Fuji Speedway. TGR plans to run the hydrogen-powered Corolla.
President Takahashi explained that, while they are testing out some big-ticket items, the chances of having them ready are about fifty-fifty at this point.
Meanwhile, GR Motorsports Business Division Project General Manager Naoto Eguchi hinted at the excitement in store for the season finale.
Project General Manager Eguchi
Going into Super Taikyu’s final round, we’re not only thinking about the race, but also how to create an exciting event away from the track as well. For one thing, this season marks our fifth year as a manufacturer competing in the ST-Q class.
We’ve been talking about doing something together with the other four ST-Q co-challengers (Mazda, Subaru, Nissan, and Honda), beyond just Toyota. We’ve got some very exciting things in the works.