Toyota Gazoo Racing to become high-performance brand

According to overseas media reports, Toyota is considering transforming its Gazoo Racing division into a sports sub-brand that develops and mass-produces high-performance models, similar to brands such as BMW M and Mercedes-AMG.

"Toyota Mark X GRMN built by Gazoo Racing"

Gazoo Racing has launched a number of limited edition models based on Toyota brand models in the Japanese domestic market. These products are sold under the name "GRMN" or "G's". The more famous one includes the Mark X GRMN model launched in 2014 (once regarded as the end of the Reiz series), which is equipped with a 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 engine with a maximum output of 321 horsepower and a 6-speed manual transmission. It is limited to 100 units sold in Japan.

Gazoo Racing boss/Toyota powertrain department director Koei Saga said in an interview with foreign media that launching Gazoo high-performance models in markets outside Japan will help strengthen the connection between racing and mass-produced cars. In the European market, there are many competitors with similar positioning, and the cost of entering the European market is also relatively high. Therefore, for Gazoo, the challenges in Europe in the future will be greater. However, Mr. Saga is still keen to promote the Gazoo brand out of Japan, and he hopes that Toyota can also have a high-performance sub-brand similar to BMW M.

Toyota 86 GRMN Sports FR Concept

Another well-known work of Gazoo Racing is the Toyota 86 GRMN Sports FR Concept, which was unveiled at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The car features an exaggerated aerodynamic package. In terms of power, Gazoo Racing replaced it with a 2.0L twin-supercharged (supercharged + turbocharged) horizontally opposed engine, with a maximum output of 319 horsepower and a peak torque of 422 Nm, which are 119 horsepower and 217 Nm higher than the original state.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.