Toyota Gazoo Racing will enter a coupe-shaped M Concept inspired by the GR Yaris in the ENEOS Super Taikyu Series round at Okayama International Circuit. It features the newly developed 2.0L inline-four turbo “G20E” mounted midship, targeting a lower center of gravity and improved aerodynamics.
Toyota has been developing cars rooted in its long-standing motorsports activities, and the GR Yaris M Concept is expected to enter the Okayama endurance race as the latest prototype, evolved from a hatchback into a coupe. Ogura Yasuhiro (小倉康宏), Chairman Toyoda Akio (豊田章男), known as Morizo, Sasaki Masahiro (佐々木雅弘) and Matsui Takamitsu (松井孝允) are scheduled to drive the car, with data collection planned at the event.
The body is lower overall than the previous hatchback design and adopts a sleek coupe body. The headlights and taillights retain the GR Yaris design language, while the aerodynamic design assumes a mid-engine layout.
Attention is focused on the powertrain centered on the newly developed engine called the “G20E,” as well as the control technology for the mid-engine layout. The car will compete in the ST-Q class at the Okayama round of the Super Taikyu Series and will be powered by a newly developed 2.0L inline-four gasoline turbo engine.
Through the accumulation of real-world vehicle data in motorsports, the project is seen as having the potential to lead to the future revival of the MR2 and the development of high-performance models dedicated to the GR brand.