- Toyota Gazoo Racing boss believes they need to add a performance SUV in their lineup.
- A GR-branded model would be more powerful and sharper compared to the already available GR Sport versions.
- Possible candidates include the Yaris Cross, C-HR, Corolla Cross, and RAV4.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing division is on a roll lately, offering a series of well-received sports cars (GR86 and GR Supra) and hot hatches (GR Yaris and GR Corolla). But its boss thinks they need to be joined by—what else, in this day and age—a performance SUV.
Gazoo Racing president Tomoya Takahashi believes that the company should cater to customers who seek a spacious and practical vehicle without sacrificing performance.
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In some markets, Toyota already offers GR Sport versions for most of its SUVs, which include styling and suspension upgrades. However, these are far milder compared to the full-fledged GR products, which feature increased power levels and more aggressive aesthetics.
Speaking to Australian media, Tomoya Takahashi said: “In the future, from my point of view we need a GR SUV. Some people can only use SUVs because they have a family or need space. To expand our brand, maybe an SUV is needed”. However, the Gazoo Racing boss also said that the firm has limited resources when it comes to developing new products, so they need to prioritize.
Takahashi didn’t specify which model will come first, but Toyota has plenty of SUVs to choose from, depending on the market. The most road-focused offerings that would be fitting candidates for the Gazoo Racing treatment are the Yaris Cross, C-HR, and Corolla Cross, with the larger and quite popular RAV4 also being a global contender.
The grille of the Toyota RAV4 GR Sport.
On the other hand, ladder-frame SUVs like the Land Cruiser 250 and 300 Series are are more challenging to tune for improved on-road handling, as doing so could compromise their off-road capabilities. This is why Toyota prioritized ruggedness over sportiness in the Land Cruiser GR Sport, making it more capable than the standard version.
Our speculative rendering showcases a potential Toyota GR C-HR, featuring lowered suspension, new wheels, upgraded brakes, and a sportier body kit. Built on the TNGA-C architecture, it should be compatible with the turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder powertrain from the GR Yaris and the GR Corolla, capable of producing up to 300 hp (224 kW / 304 PS). It’s worth noting that the C-HR already incorporates Toyota’s E-Four AWD system, which sounds like a no-brainer for a performance model.
A few years ago, Toyota denied rumors about a potential GR Yaris Cross, but this could change in the future. We say that because a performance-focused version of the closely-related Lexus LBX is deemed highly likely following the debut of the LBX Morizo RR concept that uses many GR parts.
Toyota wouldn’t be the first to offer a performance-focused SUV in this segment. Over the years we’ve seen products like the Volkswagen T-Roc R, Cupra Formentor VZ5, Mini Countryman JCW, and the discontinued Hyundai Kona N. The situation is similar with sporty divisions of more premium automakers including BMW M, Mercedes-AMG, and Audi Sport, which offer a wide range of SUVs in different shapes and sizes.
Note: The rendering in this story is not related to nor endorsed by Toyota
