Toyota could have its very own Mercedes-AMG and BMW-M rivalling performance division as the carmaker plans to transform its Gazoo Racing motorsport arm into a performance road car brand.
In addition to coordinating Toyota’s international motorsport activities in, for instance, the World Endurance Championship and World Rally Championship, Gazoo Racing has already produced hot models for the Japanese market. It sells limited-edition machines under two banners: GRMN (Gazoo Racing Masters of Nürburgring) and G’s.
Koei Saga, the boss of both Gazoo Racing and Toyota’s powertrain division, said that he intends to increase Gazoo’s presence in road car markets other than Japan to promote the link between its racing and road car activities. “In Europe, the challenge is bigger because we have more competitors here, and it is also an issue of cost. However, I am very much working on that so we can have a brand like the M brand,” he said.
The latest Gazoo-tuned car was the GT86 GRMN, which was limited to 100 units and quickly sold out. It featured a raft of changes, including modest power and torque increases, weight reduction through the use of lightweight panels, and tweaked suspension and aerodynamics. Another GT86, the GRMN Sports FR Concept, was showcased at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2012. It had a 2.0-litre engine that was turbocharged and supercharged to 319hp.
Saga did not comment on whether Gazoo Racing would play any role in the project between Toyota and BMW that will spawn the new Supra and Z5.