Toyota will launch its 2018 Supra under the name of its newly launched road performance arm, Gazoo.
The boss of Gazoo Racing, Koei Saga, told our sister publication Autocar UK at the Monte Carlo Rally, where Toyota was fielding its new Yaris WRC cars, that producing such a halo hybrid model was a 'dream' of his. He also suggested that Gazoo’s road car team was already making use of the brand’s racing hybrid powertrain technology.
Saga refrained from revealing what Gazoo’s range-topping model would be, but earlier inside information has suggested that the Supra was already planned to be launched under the Gazoo moniker. It isn’t yet known whether this will be as the Gazoo Supra or Toyota Supra Gazoo.
Saga suggested that more hybrid Gazoo models were on the cards in the future by emphasising the importance of hybrid powertrains to his division. He cited Gazoo Racing’s hybrid motorsport models, which include its World Endurance Championship LMP1 racer and hybrid-V8 Prius that competes in Japan’s Super GT 300 class.
The first production Gazoo model to be sold in Europe will be a hot version of the Yaris hatchback. Set to be revealed at the Geneva motor show in March, it is expected to have a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that’ll produce more than 210bhp. The car will be available as a three-door model only.
Saga hinted that a plan to launch more road-going Gazoo models in Europe after this was already in place. When asked if he wanted a full range of Gazoo models to be produced for the market, he said “of course.”