The Crittenden Automotive Library

Toyota Plan A Performance Brand - Maybe

Topics: Toyota

Toyota Plan A Performance Brand - Maybe

Geoff Maxted
DriveWrite
September 12, 2013

Toyota is a well established brand that has suffered recently from a reputation for being, well, just a bit bland. Instantly they countered that with the amazing GT86 which brings sports cars back into a more affordable price bracket.

The word from the Japanese giant is that the GT86 is planned to sit the middle of a trio of new sporting metal. The big brother is suggested to be the car to resurrect the ghost of the Supra, although it might not be called that and the baby brother will perhaps be along the lines of the fondly remembered MR2. there is even a suggestion that there might be some German DNA in the big beast. It’s only rumours. We’re just sayin’.

However, a executive from the brands European operation has let slip that their might be a performance brand from Toyota soon, possibly within the next couple of years. This is cheery news just as the petrol-electric Yaris Hybrid-R concept (pictured) has been shown at Frankfurt. It’s in the discussion phase, allegedly. The spokesman went on the say that there is “an appetite for Toyota to do credible performance cars”.

Toyota is also working on a new TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) that will underpin its future car line-up. The new architecture will debut in the new Prius which is due in 2015. But when asked if it could underpin everything from an iQ to an Avensis, Toyota bosses replied that it would be theoretically possible to some extent.

So, Toyota fans - something is definitely up. Rumours around since last year; little snippets leaking out like a ministerial decision - there’s no smoke without fire. In the meantime we’ve got the GT86, so be thankful.