Toyota GR Will Remain With ICE And Hybrid Engines

Toyota's Gazoo Racing (GR) performance arm has come out stating that it intends to stick with combustion engines (ICEs) and Hybrids for as long as possible instead of going full electric.

While many car manufacturers are moving toward electrification, even with its performance products - i.e. Hyundai N - Japanese automaking giants Toyota has boldly decided for its Gazoo Racing (GR) arm to remain with combustion (ICE) and hybrid powertrains until they are banned.

Toyota Gazoo Racing president Tomoya Takahashi recently assured that GR-branded models will retain combustion engines (or ICEs), stating that internal combustion engines are not harmful but are investing in future engines. Presently, Toyota’s GR sportscar line-up consists of key sportscars like the GR86, GR Yaris, GR Corolla, and the GR Supra.

Successors to things like the GR86, GR Corolla, and GR Supra will not see full-EV versions yet, but electrified hybrids will.

“There may be a time in the future when engines are banned, but internal combustion engines aren’t bad, the enemy is carbon. We are investing in future engines,” he said.  This likely stems from Toyota’s renowned "multi-pathway" approach to reducing emissions, using hybrid powertrains and carbon-neutral fuels.

Said strategy had also recently manifested on a larger scale. Earlier this week, Toyota joined rivals Mazda and Subaru in announcing their joint efforts to continue developing and enhancing their respective in-line 4-cyl, single- and dual-rotor Rotary, and ‘Boxer’ horizontally-opposed mills.

Recently updated Toyota GR Yaris with new 8-speed AT box pictured. Toyota GR boss Tomoya Takahashi says ICEs and Hybrids are the best way for said performance arm to continue making "fun cars".

“We’re not sure about electrification and when it’s happening. Globally, there are discussions that cars won’t all be electric. Nobody can see ten years into the future. Our direction is multi-pathway, not only EV,” Takashi said. Takahashi also added that Toyota’s GR arm is not interested in making fast cars but in creating "fun cars." 

“There is a difference between a fast car and a good car. We want to make better cars,” he added.  The company's next model could be a performance-focused SUV, with potential candidates for the GR treatment being the C-HR and Yaris Cross. 

However, Toyota could also create a much hotter redux of its best-selling Corolla Cross or RAV4 crossover SUVs. In short, the company is not sure about the future of electrification, but its GR performance arm remains focused on creating better cars rather than fast ones using ICE and Hybrids. KR

Source: CarExpert.com.au