Interviews with Chief Engineer Tetsuya Tada

[Chikane]

It's fine, you don't have to hurt yourself for giving us hints. I'm just curious if Porsche decided to revamp their lineup by going a bit overboard with improvements to the 911 and Cayman after hearing BMW and Toyota are doing something together to separate the gap between them.

Or maybe my tin-foil hat is on too tight today.

I'm trying to think about a time when Porsche didn't go overboard with improvements and I can't think of anything unless it's pre1990 time. I'm sure that what ever they bring out next will be better than whatever the current is, I'm just waiting to see some Taycan trickle down into the other cars and then suddenly 911s are faster than P100D in a straight line. etc etc

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[Supra93]

 

[MA617M]

Into the 7:30s at the ring - the capability of the 991 carrera S (1 and 2) is a good feat.

 

[Nurburgring]

This was referencing a 991.1 C2S (I'm fairly sure), not a GT3 or a Turbo S or anything like that. 400hp and 3170lbs with PDK. 991.2 is a bit faster, so we'll have to see how it faires against that later (and the 992 as well!).

This is such an interesting data point. If true, the Supra may not have a great power/weight, but it`s compensating with insane handling.

Excuse my bench racing, just can`t resist. German magazine AutoBild has a very nice laptime database, highly consistent, all pro drivers, at a German racetrack (Sachsenring). Let`s say the Supra puts down the same lap time than the fully loaded 991.1 C2S which was tested (PCB brakes, torque vectoring, active motor mounts, it`s a 145.000 euro car). This is how it would fare:

Porsche 918 Spyder - 1:30.34
Nissan GT-R Nismo - 1:32.81
Porsche 911 (991.1) GT3 - 1:32.97
Toyota Supra / Porsche 911 (991.1) Carrera S PDK 1:35.19
Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 : 1:35.20
Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray: 1:35.53
Nissan GT-R Black Edition: 1:35.70
Dodge Viper SRT: 1:37.44 min
BMW M4: 1:37.74
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1: 1:38.13
Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500: 1:38.26


This scenario is optimistic IMO. It will probably be a bit slower. But until it`s released and tested it`s fun to speculate!

 

[SPMS]

I think my mentality at that point would be, I'm not marketing against the GTR, but I'll build something to beat it just for S&G. To me seeing lap times around renown tracks against other hitters, and seeing it perform at those levels or better. Toyota to me is winning. The GRMN about to tax that Nismo

 

[tha7osavage]

Would a GRMN model make it to the US, or is that completely out of the picture?

 

[HKz]

Would a GRMN model make it to the US, or is that completely out of the picture?

it has been suggested but don't think anything is concrete yet. My bet is that it will come albeit not under GRMN as Toyota USA hasn't gotten the Yaris or GT86 GRMN and they are still intent on pushing the TRD branding around...the GT86 just got a new TRD edition for example.

 

[MA617M]

I'm curious as to what bolt on goodies are available out of the box, and how the ECU will stand a GTX4088R...

 

[A70TTR]

Yeah TMS USA doesn't want the Gazoo branding period, and neither do I really lol.

Tada made a joke about this actually (about GR as a whole), but I can't repeat it. The general sentiment though was similar.

 

[MA617M]

?????

 

[SupraFiend]

I'm not sure, but I read it cost Toyota over a billion dollars to develop the 1UZ.

They spent over 1 billion designing/producing the first LS400, which I assume included the cost of the 1UZ.

 

[A70TTR]

?????

Haha, it wasn't that, but yeah there's so many jokes/puns to be made. Not a great name IMO

 

[Chikane]

I don't see why they can't just sell it, and then make it a limited edition.lnstead of a number plate you get a Gazoo with a number on it painted in the red white and black racing color.

then easter egg the gimmick that if you replace the sound tube with the limited edition Gazoo it makes the car give a very unique noise.

oh and add that all Gazoo is tuned by Yamaha.

PROFIT.

 

[boodjohn]

Would a GRMN model make it to the US, or is that completely out of the picture?

Yes and No.

It's nomenclature will probably be branded as the TRD while the GRMN will be for other markets. TRD already has a significant reputation behind it in the states. Seems like they are building up the wait with the previous TRD pros (tundras, 4runner, tacoma+FRS/ft86)

 

[Spilner]

it has been suggested but don't think anything is concrete yet. My bet is that it will come albeit not under GRMN as Toyota USA hasn't gotten the Yaris or GT86 GRMN and they are still intent on pushing the TRD branding around...the GT86 just got a new TRD edition for example.

It looks nice too

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