The Breakdown
- Gazoo Racing becomes the fifth Toyota brand, joining Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu, and Century.
- The GR GT doesn't have any Toyota badges.
- Future performance models are also expected to only use GR badging.
Toyota’s already large corporate umbrella is expanding to make room for a fifth brand. Just months after Century was spun off as a standalone marque, Gazoo Racing is also becoming a distinct entity. The world’s largest carmaker has long hinted at a clearer separation between Toyota and GR models, and it’s now formalizing those plans.
Going forward, Toyota Gazoo Racing will be known simply as Gazoo Racing, reverting to a name that traces its roots back to 2007. Based on a previously outlined hierarchy, GR sits above the core Toyota brand and the entry-level Daihatsu but below Lexus and the newly founded Century. The latter is now its own entity as well, aspiring to take on Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
Even before the official announcement, we knew this day would come. When the GR GT debuted a month ago, there were no Toyota badges inside or out. Since then, we’ve learned the V8 supercar won’t even be sold at Toyota dealerships, instead being offered through select Lexus showrooms.
As you can imagine, Gazoo Racing won’t be limited to the GR GT. If the MR2 is indeed making a comeback, it’s also likely to forgo the Toyota badge. A new Supra, this time likely without BMW ties, has already been confirmed, and it, too, would fit perfectly within the GR lineup. It would make sense for a next-generation 86 to serve as Gazoo Racing’s entry-level model.
GR will continue to live up to the “Racing” part of its name by competing in top-tier motorsports, including WRC. Additionally, the newly formed brand will cater to “customer motorsports using production vehicles.” That statement gives us hope for homologation specials and performance cars in general.
While the new twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 will be exclusive to the GR GT, lesser models are expected to use Toyota’s new four-cylinder engine. The turbocharged 2.0-liter unit, codenamed “G20E,” is rated at more than 400 horsepower. This four-pot could become the backbone of the GR division, as it won’t be limited to front-engine applications.
The GR Yaris M concept features a mid-mounted layout, fueling rumors of an MR2 revival. As if that weren’t exciting enough, U.S. dealers have allegedly received a sneak preview of a reborn Celica. Add the Yaris and Corolla hot hatches to the mix, and the GR portfolio could look mighty impressive before the decade’s end.
That’s not all. Remember the FT-Se concept with dual motors and all-wheel drive? The fully electric sports car could arrive after 2026, and it wouldn’t be the only electric performance vehicle within the Toyota empire. The LFA concept won’t have a combustion engine when it eventually arrives.
Motor1's Take:
Toyota’s decision to elevate the Gazoo Racing name makes sense when you consider the influx of highly anticipated models. With affordable sports cars becoming increasingly rare, Toyota appears intent on dominating the niche with its GR products. The GR GT will sit at the top as the flagship, easily commanding a six-figure price. In fact, some reports suggest it could cost more than $200,000.
It’ll be interesting to see how Toyota fleshes out the GR lineup in the coming years. It’s unrealistic to expect every rumor to materialize, though. Reviving the MR2, Celica, and Supra while also adding an EV may be overkill, as all would be low-volume products. Still, the GR GT is a tremendous start, even if it’s reserved for deep-pocketed buyers.
