Toyota follows the steps of Lexus and plans a line of sporty products similar to the F

Toyota has been trying for some time to introduce into its range products with a somewhat sportier look and performance, and thus join the growing favourable trend that the market is developing in this regard. Products that bring more fun and excitement to their drivers.

Along these lines, the Japanese brand could create a completely new range of sports vehicles that follows the line set by the Lexus F, a division that is bringing interesting returns to the luxury brand of the Toyota group. According to various European media, Toyota could announce its creation next September at a special event in which the sporty version developed from the new Toyota Supra would be the star.

The new Toyota Supra will begin its commercial launch at the end of 2018 or the beginning of 2019, with four- and six-cylinder engines producing between 192 and 360 CV. The creation of the new, more dynamic and emotional production line would allow the development of a sportier version with which Toyota would compete with the prestigious M, AMG, S, Polestar, R variants, etc. that other brands already offer on the market based on their standard production models.

What is unknown at the moment are the markets in which this brand would distribute its products. Initially it could be a brand exclusive to the Japanese market or even to the North American market.

The new family of sports products could be developed under the control of Gazoo Racing, the division in charge of developing competition vehicles in the Toyota Group, under whose control the Yaris GRMN has been built (a model that will go on sale from early next year starting at 29,900 euros), with a 1.8-litre Dual VVT-iE engine producing 212 CV supercharged by a turbocharger. Inspired by the Yaris with which Toyota competes in the World Rally Championship, the Yaris GRMN features an exterior design clearly inspired by the competition model, 17” BBS wheels, a Torsen-type mechanical differential, bucket seats and a reduced weight of 1,135 kilos to benefit its performance and handling.

Since Akio Toyoda took the helm of the Japanese automotive group, Toyota has been trying to give its products a younger and more dynamic look. The launch of the GT86, the F product line at Lexus and the revival in the range of a product like the new Supra, currently under development, are clear examples of this, along with the new design and styling trends that Toyota is introducing across all its product lines.

Between 1970 and 1990, the Toyota range frequently featured sporty models with aggressive design. Its line of coupés and off-road vehicles was precisely the one chosen by the importer in Spain to introduce the brand to our market, achieving considerable success, but from the early 1990s this type of vehicle gradually disappeared from its offering due to the severe economic recession that the Japanese market has experienced for many years. At the beginning of this century, Toyota lacked this type of model in its range, which is why the possible return to vehicles with a strong sporty character now attracts so much attention.