Toyota Supra to be launched in 2019 under Gazoo performance brand GR / GRMN related topics

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A70TTR

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This just sounds like semantics, not that we won't get GR models just with TRD badging here in the US. Its a Tomato Tomahto situation to me
it definitely is semantics, agreed, but in the literal sense they aren't GR as all the badging, colors, and even options are different on the GR vs TRD 86. that said, all the testing and development was done by GR, so the whole thing is pretty ridiculous.

even more lame is the fact that TRD Japan (Technocraft) has the Griffon 86 and way more awesome stuff than GR (IMO) and they just get ignored entirely now. Previously, at least they got exposure in JP, but now GR is everywhere but NA.
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KahnBB6

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Personally I'd have fun putting a devious little Great Gazoo custom decal/logo on my Supra. Someone can think it's totally stupid or silly all they want... until I step on the gas and the turbo kicks in, making that irreverent, silly little sticker and the tail lights the only thing they see. Such things have always been done in car culture but to each their own ;)

But I do understand the issue with the perception of "Gazoo".

What I don't understand is why TRD USA wouldn't just get rebadged GR, GR Sport and GRMN cars and have the badging showcase their own brand.

To be honest, I've been less than impressed with most of what TRD USA has offered over the years post 90's anyway. They're hit and miss and seldom if ever make more than sway bar kits, (which are good), strut bars, fancy TRD radiator caps, some catback exhaust systems and overdone (IMO) bodykits. Once in a while in years' past you got a supercharger kit for a couple of cars (Camry V6 TRD supercharger comes to mind, as does the supercharger for the FJ80 1FZ-FE Land Cruisers up to '97) but this was years ago. The 86 getting the option of a 6-piston TRD brake kit for $11k was an interesting if pricey piece of kit.

If their budget or constraint is so tight these days they should just direct copy the Gazoo Racing models and tell us they're TRD models. I'd be perfectly fine with that so long as the desirable hardware from Japan is included.
 

Turbro

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TRD is honestly a joke imo these days. no real Performance tweaks and mostly asthetics. That’s the opposite of a performance model for fuck sakes. I wish I could make A70 go smack the head of who’s in charge for the TRD program.

Imo Toyota doesn’t give a rats ass about the fun part. They want reliable and bottom line. That’s what makes them money, I get that, but that doesn’t bring new customers or retains customers like me. I moved on from Toyota ages ago for new vehicles (still have my mkiv) and I have yet to see a product to bring me back.

- Ten year old new 4runners
- Ten year old new tundras on very old drivetrain
- new Tacoma, finally! (Oh it’s the same plastic crap interior and meh power and overpriced)
- Sweet a new corolla! Oh wait it’s only 167hp (are you serious, it’s 2018. My 1991 180sx has 220hp)
- Another “special” decalled 86 that’s now TRD that isn’t any faster
- A new family sedan Camry (cool but I don’t have a family or want a boat of a sedan)

I’ll be hoping they don’t mess the Supra up. It needs to compete in today’s market of amazing cars. There is options with where the Supra is rumored and will need to be special to win. So we will see I guess
 
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Bryster

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TRD is honestly a joke imo these days. no real Performance tweaks and mostly asthetics. That’s the opposite of a performance model for fuck sakes. I wish I could make A70 go smack the head of who’s in charge for the TRD program.

Imo Toyota doesn’t give a rats ass about the fun part. They want reliable and bottom line. That’s what makes them money, I get that, but that doesn’t bring new customers or retains customers like me. I moved on from Toyota ages ago for new vehicles (still have my mkiv) and I have yet to see a product to bring me back.

- Ten year old new 4runners
- Ten year old new tundras on very old drivetrain
- new Tacoma, finally! (Oh it’s the same plastic crap interior and meh power and overpriced)
- Sweet a new corolla! Oh wait it’s only 167hp (are you serious, it’s 2018. My 1991 180sx has 220hp)
- Another “special” decalled 86 that’s now TRD that isn’t any faster
- A new family sedan Camry (cool but I don’t have a family or want a boat of a sedan)

I’ll be hoping they don’t mess the Supra up. It needs to compete in today’s market of amazing cars. There is options with where the Supra is rumored and will need to be special to win. So we will see I guess
There's no need to refresh if the models can drive for a million miles
The Corolla hatch has a manual
The 86 has race spec suspension
There's honestly no way they can mess it up, they put a straight six on it!
 

Supra93

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http://www.cipo.ic.gc.ca/app/opic-c...00&extension=00&startingDocumentIndexOnPage=1

Toyota has filed to trademark the Gazoo Racing logo in Canada, a potential sign that the racing and performance sub-brand could be headed to North America. Toyota filed a trademark application for Gazoo Racing’s ‘GR’ logo with the Canadian Intellectual Property Organization on November 21st, 2018. The logo has already appeared on the Europe-only Yaris GRMN, a high-performance version of the Yaris hatchback with a 212 hp supercharged 1.8-liter engine, but has yet to be seen on any Toyotas in the US or Canada.

Toyota-GR-Filing-CIPO.jpg


Toyota also filed to reserve the GR badge in Brunei, Malaysia and Cambodia in the days after the CIPO filing.

Gazoo Racing, or ‘GR’, is taking on a role similar to ‘M’ for BMW going forward. It will serve as Toyota’s performance sub-brand and the automaker has suggested that the 2020 Supra will be sold under the GR banner in Europe.

The Supra would be a good way to introduce North Americans to the GR brand and this filing comes just ahead of the Supra’s debut in Detroit next month. We wouldn’t be surprised if the badge pictured in this filing appears on the highly anticipated sports coupe in some fashion, either as subtle branding or to denote a high-performance version of the vehicle.

The Gazoo Racing brand has an interesting history. As Toyota motorsport boss Koei Saga once told Autocar, Gazoo is derived from the Japanese word for picture or image – ‘gazo’. About 20 years ago, Toyota had begun to diversify its business by selling used cars online and called its image-based used car marketplace ‘Gazoo.com’, using the english spelling of the word. Toyota’s racing division eventually started using the word ‘gazoo’ in place of garage, referencing the well-known car site, and before long, ‘Gazoo Racing’ was the name of its motorsports team.
 

McWicked

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Sorry US, this is what’s gunna happen when we get the GR Supra :rofl:
Toyota already trademarked the name and logo a while ago here in the US.
:drive:
 
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AsupramkvC

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For me, brand should still be undeniably Toyota. “GR” could slot in as for its performance oriented model. Just like the Yaris. It’s still a Toyota; but the better performing models, they added the GR and GRMN as part of branding.
 
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