It’s not uncommon for carmakers to have an in-house arm dedicated to performance and motorsports. While the mainstream offerings are the bread and butter, it’s the souped-up versions that serve as opportunities to test out new automotive technologies before they’re brought to the mass market.
Motorsports is where car brands test out innovations for eventual use in production models
For Toyota, its current motorsports efforts can be summed up in two words: Gazoo Racing. The name comes from the Japanese word for image or picture (gazo), and it previously referred to a website that hosted images of vehicles in various Toyota dealerships, a novel concept in the 90s-era Japanese auto industry.
Gazoo Racing first entered the scene in 2007 at the 24 Hours Nürburgring race, where Toyota fielded two used Altezzas. Current Toyota boss Akio Toyoda was vice president at the time, and he participated along with chief test driver Hiromu Naruse. The team, composed of student test drivers and mechanics, was not allowed to use the name ‘Works Toyota Racing’ for the event. They went with Team Gazoo, and the activity was posted on Gazoo.com as an amateur race project.
Toyota boss Akio Toyoda participated as a race driver under the alias 'Morizo'
The Gazoo Racing name was formally adopted in 2009, alongside development efforts that led to the Lexus LF-A and FT-86. This was also the year Toyoda assumed presidency of the company, during which Gazoo Racing’s scope was considerably expanded. The motorsports division’s forays into Nürburgring have given it bragging rights of sorts, as reflected in the sports conversion brand GRMN (Gazoo Racing, tuned by the Meister [master] of the Nürburgring).
Since 2015, Gazoo Racing has served as the overall unit for all of Toyota’s motorsports ventures, incorporating Toyota Gazoo Racing and Lexus Gazoo Racing. Among the efforts supported by the brand are the Finland-based Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT (World Rally Team), Toyota Gazoo Racing Team Europe GmbH, and Toyota Gazoo Racing UK. Its most recent victories were a third consecutive championship at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and finishing first at the Rally Turkey leg of the World Rally Championship, both in 2020.
Toyota Gazoo Racing's efforts resulted in a three-peat win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
The emergence of Gazoo Racing echoes Toyota Racing Development or TRD, the company’s much older performance arm that has been in existence since 1976. But while TRD is about improving the performance of existing standard Toyotas, GR’s mission is to come up with performance models right out of the assembly line. Many of TRD’s motorsports endeavors in Japan have been absorbed into the GR program, although the TRD brand lives on in North America as TRD USA, with a focus on trucks for the consumer market. In the Philippines, the TRD branding is slowly being phased out, as select Toyota dealers will be putting up a Gazoo Racing corner.
Toyota's second GR-branded model, the GR Yaris, will be coming to our shores
Toyota’s gains through Gazoo Racing’s efforts have begun to trickle down to the consumer level. The first GR brand-exclusive vehicle came in the form of the fifth-generation Supra in 2019, as well as a GR version of the Japan-exclusive Daihatsu Copen convertible Kei car. The following year, the GR Yaris became the second Toyota under the performance brand, and it’s scheduled to arrive on our shores soon. A third GR model will be the upcoming second-generation 86, expected to be revealed next month.
This is Toyota's new symbol for performance
The company says that ‘Gazoo’ today refers to ‘garage’, or a place where people work together on improving the smallest details to produce ever-better cars and services for each customer. This dedication to quiet and meticulous excellence will likely define Gazoo Racing’s future success, not only in terms of what they achieve on the track but what they are able to bring to the showrooms. If you want to know more about it, Toyota has dedicated Gazoo Racing pages on Facebook for Japan and the Philippines.
Read up on more stories about your favorite car brands at Philkotse.com.
Know more about Toyota Supra 2024
The Toyota Supra is a 2-seater sports car that is available in the Philippines at a price range from Php 5,396,000 to Php 5,496,000. Only one variant is available locally which uses a BMW-sourced 3.0-liter inline-6 twin-scroll turbocharged gasoline engine that generates 335 Nm of torque and 500 Nm of torque. This engine is connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard. Dimensions-wise, this iconic sports car spans 4,379 mm in length, 1,854 mm in width, and 1,294 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,470 mm and a ground clearance rated at 115 mm. In the local market, the Toyota Supra competes against the likes of Ford Mustang, Nissan 370Z, and Porsche 718.
Toyota Supra Launch
Toyota Philippines introduced the Toyota GR Supra in the local market on July 9, 2019. This current generation is the successor of the A80 Supra, featuring a 3.0L twin-scroll turbocharged in-line 6-cylinder gasoline engine. The version available in the Philippine market is the European-spec type and is only offered in a single variant.
The prices depend on the color choice of the buyer. Only 16 Toyota dealerships in the country have been certified by Toyota Motor Philippines to market this Supra. According to the company, these dealerships are equipped and capable of servicing this sports car. They are the following:
Metro Manila
1. Toyota Commonwealth
2. Toyota Alabang
3. Toyota Makati
4. Toyota Otis
5. Toyota Manila Bay
6. Toyota Quezon Avenue
7. Toyota Pasong Tamo
Luzon
8.Toyota Bacoor
9.Toyota Batangas
10.Toyota La Union
11.Toyota Calamba
12.Toyota San Pablo
13.Toyota San Fernando
Visayas
14.Toyota Mabolo
15.Toyota Cebu
Mindanao
16. Toyota Davao City
Toyota Supra Exterior
This 2-seater Coupe offering from the Japanese manufacturer features a sleek body to allow the car to cut through the air. The front part of the vehicle gets all LED headlights, reverse lights, turn signals, daytime running lights, taillights, and fog lights. An auto high beam is also equipped in its headlights. The rear part of the vehicle features a dual exhaust pipe mounted just below the bumper.
This 2-seater Coupe offering from the Japanese manufacturer features a sleek body to allow the car to cut through the air
The GR Supra rides on sporty 19-inch forged aluminum wheels to maximize the grip at the back. The Toyota Supra prices in the Philippines vary depending on the model's color. It is available in eight colors: Matte Storm Gray, Deep Blue Metallic, Ice Gray Metallic, Silver Metallic, Lighting Yellow, Black Metallic, White Metallic, and Prominence Red. The Matte Storm Gray Supra is the most expensive.
Toyota Supra Interior
Inside the Toyota Supra, there's an 8.8-inch TFT LCD for the tachometer and speedometer. The cooling is handled by the car’s push-type dual-zone climate control. It allows the occupants to have their own desired temperatures.
In the center part of this performance car, there’s an 8.8-inch widescreen TFT display with Bluetooth and USB capabilities. The Supra is also equipped with a JBL 12-speaker HiFi surround sound system.
Inside the Toyota Supra, there's an 8.8-inch TFT LCD for the tachometer and speedometer
The leather-wrapped steering wheel comes with a 3-spoke design and paddle shifters. It also contains audio controls, telescopic adjust function, manual tilt, and cruise control. The driving position is excellent – low, and the standard seat wraps around the driver's back, and it comes with adjustable side bolsters.
Overall, Supra’s interior has material quality and tactility.
Technology & Safety Features
Some of the tech features available in the Supra are cruise control, push start button, integrated sport drive, 8-way adjustable seat, electric-assist power steering, electric parking brake, back monitor, and auto retract side mirrors. It also comes with a navigation system.
The car's safety features include a day and night rearview mirror, driver and passenger airbag, Anti-lock Braking System, brake assists, EBD, seat belt warning, crash sensor, door ajar warning, front and side-impact beams, traction control, and Vehicle Stability Control system.
In terms of security, the Toyota GR Supra features central locking, an engine immobilizer, an anti-theft device, power door locks, and an anti-theft alarm.
In terms of security, the Toyota GR Supra features central locking, an engine immobilizer, an anti-theft device, power door locks, and an anti-theft alarm.
Platform & Chassis
The Toyota Supra sits on BMW’s Cluster Architecture – the same underpinning used in Z4. It is the main reason why it has the same dimension and chassis as its German counterpart roadster.
This 2-seater Coupe from Toyota has a wheelbase of 2,470 mm, a length of 4,379 mm, a width of 1,854 mm, and a ground clearance of 115 mm.
The Toyota GR Supra is equipped with a Double-joint McPherson Strut for the front suspension, and the rear setup is handled by the multi-link suspension for the rear. A limited-slip differential is also featured in this car for its rear axles.
The stopping power is provided by the 4-piston Fixed Caliper Front Ventilated Disc Brakes and 1-piston Floating Caliper Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes.
>>> New and used Toyota Supra Philippines for sale at the best price
Engine & Drivetrain
Aside from the platform, the Toyota Supra also shares the same engine, running gear, and gearbox as its German counterpart roadster. Sitting under the hood is a Toyota-tuned 3.0L Twin-Scroll Turbocharged gasoline engine. The unit produces 335 horsepower and 500 Newton-meter of torque. The engine power is delivered to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. It propels this performance car from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The top speed is 250 km/h.
If you want to learn more about this sporty car, don't forget to read in-depth Toyota Supra review on Philkotse.com.
The Toyota Supra Philippines also shares the same engine, running gear, and gearbox as its German counterpart roadster
Available colors for the Toyota GR Supra 2024 Philippines are Prominence Red, Black Metallic 2, Lightning Yellow, Silver Metallic 5, Ice Gray Metallic, Deep Blue Metallic, and White Metallic.
The Toyota GR Supra is still one of the best options in the market if you want to experience a thrilling sports car driving experience. However, it doesn't get a manual transmission like the Nissan 370Z.
Toyota Supra Pros & Cons
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Toyota Supra Q&A
1. How much does a Toyota Supra 2024 cost in the Philippines?
The Supra 2024 price is 5,396,000 Php for the prominence red color and 5,496,000 Php for the avalanche white metallic color.
2. What are the dimensions of the Supra 2024?
The dimensions of Supra 2024 are 4,379 mm in length, 1,854 mm in width, and 1,294 mm in height.
The type of Toyota Supra is a Coupe with 2 seaters.
4. What is the top speed of a 2024 Toyota Supra?
The top speed of a 2024 Supra is 250 km/h.
5. Is the Supra automatic?
Yes, the Toyota Supra 2024 is transmitted by 8-speed automatic transmission.
₱ 4,990,000 - ₱ 5,050,000
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