Jump to content
Create New...
  • 💬 Join the Conversation

    CnG Logo SQ 2023 RedBlue FavIcon300w.png
    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has been the go-to hub for automotive enthusiasts. Join today to access our vibrant forums, upload your vehicle to the Garage, and connect with fellow gearheads around the world.

     

  • William Maley
    William Maley

    Chief Engineer for Toyota 86 Dreams Of A Dedicated Performance Brand, Successors to Iconic Sports Cars

      Tetsuya Tada talks about what he would like to see Toyota do in the future in terms of performance

    Tetsuya Tada, the man behind the Toyota 86 coupe (and sister models Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S) has some dreams that he would like the Japanese brand to take on.

     

    One thing Tada-san is adamant Toyota should do is launch a dedicated high-performance brand.

     

    “BMW has its M Division, Mercedes-Benz has Mercedes-AMG, Audi has quattro GmbH, so they have a stance of a sports car, but Toyota hasn’t,” Tada-san told CarAdvice.

     

    “So I would like to build that major sports car brand within Toyota, like BMW’s M.”

     

    The closest thing Toyota has at the moment is their TRD (Toyota Racing Development) arm. But Tada points to Gazgoo Racing - the group behind the racing efforts of the Lexus LF-A and Toyota 86 - as a possibility to reach this goal.

     

    “BMW and M and Audi and quattro GmbH used to be like the Toyota relationship with Gazoo – it wasn’t really one body, it was two separate things. But because of the time and the continuous effort, now they are together. So, I’m wishing that Toyota puts effort continuously, and then someday later, Toyota and Gazoo will be one body. The important thing is to keep putting in the effort and continue – never give up,” said Tada-san.

     

    Tada-san is also working on encouraging Toyota to build more vehicles with passion - see the upcoming Lexus LC 500 as an example. He is very much aware of the ‘opportunity’ to build a flagship sports car - the rumored Supra.

     

    “We’re putting all the effort into making it happen. There is so much gossip about it may be happening or it may be produced, but amongst Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), much of the things people think, have already been tried. But trying [‘things’] and trying to reach production, are two different things. So, of the ideas from our team, maybe one tenth is the production car.”

     

    Toyota and BMW currently have a partnership of developing various things, including a sports car platform. Rumor has it that next-generation BMW Z4 will share its platform with the Supra.

     

    Finally, Tada-san revealed what he would like to do as a dream project.

     

    “I would prefer a new Celica GT4 – turbo, four-wheel drive. [it’s a] really fun car and really fast. And [it was fast on] every type of road. [A new one is definitely] one of my dreams.”

     

    Source: CarAdvice

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    I think they have forgotten how to build a performance car.  Even when you look at Lexus, the F-sport cars are mostly just trim packages with wheels and body moldings.  Their big gun engine in the GS F and RC F is a V 8 with 387 lb-ft of torque.  A 5 liter liter V8 with 460 or 470 hp whatever it makes is pretty awesome for a smaller car, or mid-level product, but that is their range topper.  When Cadillac and the Germans have near 600 hp and torque in cars.   It is a mystery to me why Lexus hasn't put turbos on the 3.5 V6 or the 5.0 V8 yet.   Even Fusions, Malibus and Sontas are turbocharged now, this isn't some exclusive high dollar technology.

     

    A 1990s Toyota Supra turbo could do 0-60 in 4.6 seconds with a 13.1 second 1/4 mile.  20 years later a GS-F is 0-60 in 4.4 seconds with a 12.9 second 1/4 mile. They aren't much further ahead now than they were in the 90s.  And when you look at Toyota brand itself, they have nothing that could hold a candle to the 90s Supra in terms of performance.  

     

    Toyota is more bean counter driven than GM is.  Every product they make is bland, boring, reliable transportation, their 2.4 liter and 3.5 liter engine have been around over a decade with little change.  They just want to milk basic powertrains in basic sedans and crossovers for as long as possible.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Seriouslly... until you can actually build a new Celia and Supra... just stop with the extra performance brand...

     

    And you ALREADY HAVE a performance brand, it's called TRD!!!

    Just realized, Toyota's Performance line is a turd. :o Wow, no wonder they want a new performance line.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Support Real Automotive Journalism

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has delivered real content and honest opinions — not emotionless AI output or manufacturer-filtered fluff.

    If you value independent voices and authentic reviews, consider subscribing. Plans start at just $2.25/month, and paid members enjoy an ad-light experience.*

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • Just be careful, the quality like many has issues if you buy used especially. I have a friend who whole family has been Toyota for generations and their extended family in Mongolia has been Toyota and lately they have had issues with their Rav4's. Just traded it in on a Honda Prologue. They were tired of the repairs. Currently, there are recalls affecting certain 2024 Toyota RAV4 vehicles due to issues with brake caliper bolts that may not be properly tightened, posing a risk of brake failure. Details of Current Recalls 2024 Toyota RAV4 Recall: Issue: Some vehicles may have bolts that secure the front brake caliper and wheel hub bearing improperly tightened. This can lead to potential detachment of the brake caliper or front wheels, increasing the risk of a crash due to reduced braking performance or loss of vehicle control.    2 Action: Toyota dealers will inspect and tighten the affected bolts free of charge. If any components are damaged, they will be replaced at no cost to the owner. Notifications to owners began in early February 2025.    2   2 Sources Additional Recalls: 2013-2018 RAV4: A recall was issued for certain models due to battery issues that could lead to a short circuit and potential fire risk. This recall involved over 1.8 million vehicles and required replacement of the battery hold-down clamp and related components.    1 2020-2021 RAV4 Hybrid: There was also a recall related to airbag deployment issues, which required inspection and potential replacement of the Occupant Classification System sensor.    1
    • Back reading this, the RAV 4 would be worth my time to consider for 2026. 
    • I am surprised they are doing that well.  Interesting. 
    • Europe and China have shown huge monthly decreases in sales based on monthly recording of registrations.  This coming Wednesday we will see the quarterly reporting worldwide for Tesla. The head of global sales has quit and left taking the blame for falling sales which should fall on Musk. Analyst are calling for a further 11% reduction in sales by Tesla with a full year decline of 8% Tesla quarterly deliveries seen falling again
    • Someone needs to take over the mantle of Tesla. How badly are Tesla's sales actually cratering? Love the color combination. 
  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search