By now, most of you who are keeping up with the news know that Toyota Gazoo Racing (GR) has been on a roll since last year. The Toyota sub-brand has grown quite a bit, and it now has two performance hatchbacks and one performance coupe. More recently though, it was reported that it might be releasing a GR sedan model for the first time.
Nothing's for certain yet, but this new GR might be based on the Camry
This report comes from Motor Trend, which had the chance to talk to a high-up at the Toyota Motor Company USA. Specifically, it was hinted that they are mulling to add a new sedan model to the GR lineup.
That’s interesting since up until now, because as we’ve said, all the GR models that were launched globally and in the U.S. were either coupes or hatchbacks. There’s the all-new GR86 coupe, the GR Supra coupe, and the GR Yaris hot hatch. There’s also the GR Corolla for the U.S. market that was revealed earlier this year, which is also a hatchback.
And if you think about it hard, the only Toyota sedan model sold in multiple markets right now is the Camry. So it’s no surprise that this upcoming GR sedan might indeed be a souped-up version of the said long-running midsize sedan model. And no, we don’t think it’ll be the Corolla Altis, since that model isn’t actually sold in the United States.
There’s also the Toyota Avalon full-size sedan, but that in turn is limited to North America, China, and the Middle East.
Furthermore, it is no secret that more and more car makers are turning to electrification in order to ensure a sustainable future as a brand, and in order to provide a model that is competitive enough in terms of performance.
Currently, the hottest GR model is the Toyota GR Corolla Morizo Edition
As such, the Toyota executive told the same source that a GR product’s goal is to deliver “fun to drive, lightweight, track performance...” So, if the solution to ensuring those qualities in a GR model is electrification, then they might consider it.
Again, as per hints and rumors go, nothing stated here is set in stone just yet. It might turn out that any of these hints are completely wrong, so do take these with a grain of salt.
What do you folks think? Would it make sense for Gazoo Racing to release a sedan model? Also, would you like to see it on Philippine roads?
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