[Hawt.Hatch]

25. How close were you?

NEVERMIND, I have never heard a 25yo saying "HOOT."

 

[Sparkko]

NEVERMIND, I have never heard a 25yo saying "HOOT."

If I'm being real, it's probably the first time I've ever said it.

 

[Jeonsa]

If I'm being real, it's probably the first time I've ever said it.

Damn 25.

 

[Root]

Me too! That'd be a hoot to drive.

Yup, like the original keep it small, light, and “affordable”. Not an exotic competition. Itll become another cult classic. Maybe a roadster or t-top if they need more market differentiation.

 

[Ryan]

They already have TRD reserved for the trucks which should probably stay that way. Gazoo Racing now is what TRD use to be.

As far as GR models they should rename the GR86 and add a MR2 later on in my opinion.

I hear you, but I am not so sure. Toyota is still branding all things NASCAR Cup as TRD. However, last year was the first year that the Supra was referred to as the GR Supra.....and last year was the first time GR march started showing up at the tracks. I keep waiting for an announcement for the rebranding, but it never seems to come. Europe is branding GR Trucks, etc...in fact, GR just won Dakar in a #Hilux. It would make sense that GR would take over, but why the wait?

 

[Jeonsa]

I hear you, but I am not so sure. Toyota is still branding all things NASCAR Cup as TRD. However, last year was the first year that the Supra was referred to as the GR Supra.....and last year was the first time GR march started showing up at the tracks. I keep waiting for an announcement for the rebranding, but it never seems to come. Europe is branding GR Trucks, etc...in fact, GR just won Dakar in a #Hilux. It would make sense that GR would take over, but why the wait?

That’s because TRD is now synonymous with trucks and the off road community stateside. In a lot of ways it’s not a bad idea to keep them branded that way for heritage reasons.

Now GR Sport versions of the Corolla and things is something I definitely can see, especially if they try to make them true Si fighters instead of an appearance package.

 

[Ryan]

That’s because TRD is now synonymous with trucks and the off road community stateside. In a lot of ways it’s not a bad idea to keep them branded that way for heritage reasons.

Now GR Sport versions of the Corolla and things is something I definitely can see, especially if they try to make them true Si fighters instead of an appearance package.

But then why are they badging the NASCAR Cup effort as TRD? Something is holding them back from going all GR....or they are just easing into it. I'm not buying that TRD is exclusively a truck thing at this point. Could be heading that way--many believe this to be the case--but haven't heard anything from Plano yet. Marketing is interesting.

 

[Jeonsa]

But then why are they badging the NASCAR Cup effort as TRD? Something is holding them back from going all GR....or they are just easing into it. I'm not buying that TRD is exclusively a truck thing at this point. Could be heading that way--many believe this to be the case--but haven't heard anything from Plano yet. Marketing is interesting.

I’m not going to get all into it, because it’s a long story but I’m sure Akio wants to rename everything but TRD name is still more important stateside right now. A lot of people in this forum for example barely understand the division while other countries have had it for awhile.

The TRD truck thing is from a chief engineer during an event, I think during the new Tundra’s release or so. There is a massive fanbase for the TRD name here.

 

[Ryan]

I’m not going to get all into it, because it’s a long story but I’m sure Akio wants to rename everything but TRD name is still more important stateside right now. A lot of people in this forum for example barely understand the division while other countries have had it for awhile.

The TRD truck thing is from a chief engineer during an event, I think during the new Tundra’s release or so. There is a massive fanbase for the TRD name here.

Yeah, I heard that comment. Interesting stuff. Frankly, I wish we could just go GR everything, and keep it simple. As this is a marketing exercise to an extent....marketing needs to be simple and to the point.....but then again, if everything goes GR.....GR, in and of itself, is kind of complex in terms of what it means to the average person. Good stuff.

 

[LuckyLuke]

Imagine a GR Matrix...

 

[Jeonsa]

Imagine a GR Matrix...
View attachment 6569

Essentially what a GR Corolla Cross would be.

 

[tyler500e]

Three things come to mind that I would love to see..

A mid-tier Corolla to compete with the Civic Si,
a Prius with a stiffer chassis and improved handling,
and a new MR2.

 

[noogie]

It would be nice if the GR badge was more than just marketing. GR should indicate that the car passed all GR metrics specified by the internal Toyota GR Team. At this time, it’s blurry whether or not the GR86 and GR Supra were actually signed off by the GR Team. It’s more like Akio just signed off on them, while letting Subaru and BMW do the heavy lifting.

 

[Jeonsa]

It would be nice if the GR badge was more than just marketing. GR should indicate that the car passed all GR metrics specified by the internal Toyota GR Team. At this time, it’s blurry whether or not the GR86 and GR Supra were actually signed off by the GR Team. It’s more like Akio just signed off on them, while letting Subaru and BMW do the heavy lifting.

That kinda is what happened.

 

[Ryan]

It would be nice if the GR badge was more than just marketing. GR should indicate that the car passed all GR metrics specified by the internal Toyota GR Team. At this time, it’s blurry whether or not the GR86 and GR Supra were actually signed off by the GR Team. It’s more like Akio just signed off on them, while letting Subaru and BMW do the heavy lifting.

Well, I think whether we are talking TRD or GR, there are two sides to it. First--and to your point--is performance and relatability to the showroom. The second is the marketing side that hypes to brand up. Racing serves as the platform for the hype. We will never drive a GR Yaris Rally 1, but we sure as hell could drive a GR Corolla. The racing gets us excited about the brand. I really love this stuff and geek out over my TRD and GR merch.

 

[AE86Guy]

Would anyone else want to see something like this? Or are the three models Toyota has enough?

Absolutely not. They don't even produce enough of what they've already designed. What's the point?

 

[Rise]

They totally should put the G16E in an MR2. Then Toyota could call it...(wait for it)...the MR3!

I'm sure somebody else came up with that first, but I'll see myself out anyway.

 

[Conranos]

I think Toyota should be careful about expanding the GR brand. I don't want it to become another TRD where all it means is its slightly upgraded over a base car. They already have an entry level sports car, a hot hatch, and a mid level sports car. The only other spot that could be filled is a high end/exotic car, but that is what Lexus is for.

 

[LuckyLuke]

Essentially what a GR Corolla Cross would be.

Thought the Martix was considerably smaller? Maybe I'm not remembering right. I think that would've been more comparable to the GRY than the GRC

 

[SpaceFolding]

Imagine a GR Matrix...
View attachment 6569

I thought the Matrix was the Corolla hatchback of its time. Hence Toyota Corolla Matrix. Well lucky you, you're already in the right place if you want a GR Matrix