This article is one of our DS Does Japan series from our recent trip to the land of the rising sun, courtesy of Toyota Australia. Click here for the whole set!
Whilst at Toyota Megaweb, we headed upstairs to the Gazoo Racing section and got to check out 3 of their concept cars.
The first one we came across was this Toyota GRMN 86 Gazoo Racing Concept.
The GRMN 86 concept was first unveiled at the 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon. (See our 2015 coverage here!)
The GRMN 86 does have an enhanced powertrain, but as to exact specs, we were kept guessing.
Using their experiences from many adventures out at the Nurburgring, Gazoo Racing has applied this knowledge here.
Cusco Coilovers.
Caged.
Carbon everywhere!
Those seats <3.
Carbon hood and splitter.
Under the skin we are told is a varying array of bracing, improving body rigidity also.
Bigger GRMN brakes!
Little custom bits everywhere make this car quite special.
I hope we get to see something close to this as a limited production run one day.
The GRMN Sports FR Platinum Concept was also on display.
Based on an 86 chassis, it looked quite similar.
Could even pass for perhaps a VeilSide kitted 86?
Importantly, it also had some really tasty bits, which upped the power to 330hp, as well as a stonking 440Nm of torque, still from the original 2 liter motor.
And just look at this interior!
Lastly we have the Gazoo Racing Sports Hybrid II.
“GRMN” is an acronym for “Gazoo Racing tuned by the Meister of the Nürburgring,the latter a nickname for Toyota’s late chief test driver, Hiromu Naruse, who died last June in an accident while testing the Lexus LFA. The “II” in the car’s title denotes that this is the second iteration of a sports hybrid concept the partners showed off at the 2010 Tokyo auto show.” – Car and Driver.
The first hybrid concept was still mostly all MR2 body in terms of Aesthetics, and whilst the II is still based upon the latest gen MR2 chassis, it has undergone a heavy transformation.
The tail lights hint of TVR
The engine is a 3.5L V6, with a combination of electric motors totalling 295hp. Not monumental in the grand scheme of things, however with a weight of around 1.5 tonnes, it’s not terrible.
Exterior styling now a far cry from the MR2.
Whilst the interior is ‘modern’…
It does still use some of the MR2/Toyota ‘bits’ from previous models.
What I ABSOLUTELY love, is that even in this modern age, Japan still puts flares in their cars.
It does have some crucial things, such as carbon bits…
Big brakes…
and a fat rear end.
It was very cool to be able to see this up close and in person. Toyota are definitely pushing the boundaries in terms of hybrid every day and sports cars (remembering this was built in 2011). Important in a country phasing out diesel, which is already banned in some cities.
Thanks again to Toyota Australia, and Gazoo Racing for allowing us the opportunity to see and shoot these amazing cars!