Toyota Teases GR Line Up: Supra MK6, Celica MK8, MR2 MK4, 86 MK3 and GR GT! (Bonus: Lexus LFA)

[KahnBB6]

Correct; from what I know, after all the cost-cutting at Nissan under Ghosn's leadership, he wasn't interested in spending huge money on the new GTR at first despite wanting it to be a halo car and proper supercar, so the original plan was to have the R35 more or less just be a G35 with a built and turbocharged VQ35, AWD, and a nicer interior. This would have mirrored the previous GTR's being basically souped up commuter sedans.

I was a kid when the R35 first came out, but if I was an adult I know I would have been absolutely pissed if they trotted out a trumpety VQ35 GTR.

The R35 GTR series existing and being appreciated isn't something I'd want the world to have been without. I am glad they made it.

But at the same time I clearly remember when the R34 model was first teased and announced, going to Nissan's Japanese website to see everything I could about it and picking up any English language review of the R34 that I could back then. And it took until about 2017 before you could even consider buying a 1989 model year in the U.S. But many of us had that experience of wishing those three generations of the Skyline GT-R's were far more attainable. Not to mention the Skyline RWD and AWD GTS-T's and later GT-T's. And the RB25DET Stagea wagons and the rare 260RS 2B26DETT Stagea wagons.

I remember well that period of back and forth with the R35 successor's design direction. Nissan's engineers got to finally break free of any remaining design constraints but it also meant that part of what made the Skyline series so special at the top of the range in the 70's, 80's and 90's was no longer a thing.

What I've felt has been sorely lacking in Nissan's lineup since the start of Ghosn's era is, of course, a new Silvia coupe (which today would be in competition with the GR86 and current gen BRZ) but also a Skyline (or Skyline based) high performance turbo sedan and coupe in RWD, RWD-based ATTESA AWD with a manual transmission option.

And apparently the latter finally something Ivan Espinosa is planning to bring back at least in sedan non-crossover form. And the former if he can find a way to make the numbers work.

The GTR now being in supercar territory has been really wonderful... but it's been chasing a different experience than the R32, R33 and R34 provide. And I think there is still room for that experience in a very souped up volume sedan and coupe designed much in the way the entire 32-33-34 line used to be.

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[johnny_10196]

this is most likely a 2nd stage MR2 test mule. below is a visualization for those that still dont understand the car development process.

The good news is that development is moving along, but the bad news is that we're probably not going to see the final product for at least another three years.

 

[KahnBB6]

The good news is that development is moving along, but the bad news is that we're probably not going to see the final product for at least another three years.

It is disappointing that it'll take so long, yes. I've long thought that the reason for this is partly because they really want to both avoid the twitchy snap lift oversteer characteristics of the SW20 Turbo generation (which you could get away with in the 90's but maybe not today in an attainable mid engine car) but at the same time make sure this AWD mid engine car still feels fun the way an MR2 should feel.

All that and just how long it takes to develop a car in general. They had to experiment a lot to get the dynamics and major issues worked out first with all the test mules before normal development started.

G20E engine excluded. They had a lot of its core R&D developed already by the time the GR Yaris was first released. They just sat on it for a while until planned projects like this and others that would eventually use it began to move forward.

We'll see the GR GT get released before the "MR2" and that's exciting at least from the sidelines. They may even release the new Celica before the MR2 if it does turn out to be a separate model.

The development timeline black holes that still remain unknown are the Supra MKVI and Lexus coupe and GR86.

And Toyota GR is still missing a huge opportunity to offer a RWD sport sedan with a manual option in the vein of the Altezza or alternatively the Mark II / Chaser lineage.

 

[not_howard]

These spy shots were just posted on FB

 

[Vinny]

Those are AI

 

[supraboi]

Those are AI

I was wondering the same thing, but none of the social media platforms like Facebook or IG have them marked as AI generated.

 

[C-Pike]

AI or not I hope it stays as close to the concept as possible. That thing is sexy AF!

 

[johnny_10196]

Those are AI

Sadly we'll probably won't see any test cars with production body panels until sometime next year.

 

[Vinny]

AI or not I hope it stays as close to the concept as possible. That thing is sexy AF!

Eh I might be in the minority but I am not fan of the rear.

 

[not_howard]

Those are AI

My bad I thought they were legit

 

[romanLegion9574]

Those are AI

Yeah, the GR badges are a giveaway. They don't look natural

 

[Zboy]

I'm really starting to hate how people are using AI. So much fake stuff on the web...

 

[vb22]

AI or not I hope it stays as close to the concept as possible. That thing is sexy AF!

Some elements that may be carried over are the hood scoop and three compartment opening on the front bumper.

 

[Ron L]

If the 2030 Corvette looks like this and takes out that hideous wall between the driver and passenger... I could see me getting one. Unless Toyota gets a good looking, fun to drive, mid-engine MR2 or Celica out first!

 

[Captain_Kirk]

Is Toyota getting a new sports car with an aero top, the GR-GT?

https://www.carsensor.net/contents/newmodel/category_120/_68789.html

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