These Toyota models are considered sports cars (and this is one of the fastest)
Unlike Ferrari or Lamborghini, Toyota models may not be the first model that comes to mind when you imagine a sports car. However, Toyota has been producing sports cars for more than 50 years, starting with the Sports 800s in the 60s of the 20th century. Dubbed the Yota-Hachi, the small, lightweight car had a 790cc engine that laid the groundwork for Toyota's future sports cars. The performance of the Sports 800, especially in domestic motorsports such as the 24 Hours of Fujifilm, is the first sign that Toyota is seriously committed to building fast and thrilling cars.
Toyota continues to expand sports car concept models, such as the 2000GT, which caused a huge international response after its appearance in the James Bond film "Thunder Valley". Shortly after its release, the MR2 hit the road in the 80s of the 20th century, followed by a turbocharged version of the Celica. By 2007, Toyota established the Gazoo Racing (GR) division and established itself as a sports car manufacturer. GR, in particular, has put Toyota in the spotlight of motorsport, especially in the FIA World Rally Championship, World Endurance Championship and Dakar Rally.
In fact, if you go to the sports car page of Toyota's official website, you will see three models that Toyota considers to be sports cars. What models are they and how fast are they? That's what we're here to find out.
Toyota GR86
The GR86 was launched in 2022 as a replacement for the first-generation Toyota 86. The number "86" might remind a lot of Toyota (and anime) fans of something – but how the boring Toyota AE86 became an exciting JDM saga is another story.
Co-developed with Subaru and sharing a platform with the Subaru BRZ, the GR86 has sporty DNA from the start. Since the original 86 model gained popularity for its combination of performance and price, the 2022 Toyota GR86 also continues that tradition, with a more powerful engine and better handling. The car also focuses on lightweight construction, including an aluminum roof, front fenders, and hood to keep the curb weight under 2,900 pounds.
A light and powerful engine is the perfect formula for a sports car. The GR86 features a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter four-cylinder boxer engine that produces 228 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 184 lb-ft of torque at 3,700 rpm. This engine accelerates very quickly when paired with a six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission. In fact, the GR86 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds and has a top speed of 140 mph. If you're looking for a Toyota sports car, the 2024 GR86, starting at $29,300, is an excellent choice.
Toyota GR Corolla
Toyota's GR (Gazoo Racing) division has been working to transform ordinary cars into track-specific powerplants, and the GR Corolla is one of them. The GR model is based on the Corolla Hatchback, but has undergone significant improvements, including larger spot welds, additional structural adhesives, and reinforced supports. These features all contribute to a significant increase in the rigidity and responsiveness of the car – all in order to adapt to the car's sporty performance, of course.
The 2023 GR Corolla is powered by a G16E-GTS 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces a powerful 300 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The performance of the GR Corolla is also due to its GR circuit-tuned suspension and ventilated slotted brake rotors that provide excellent stopping power. The model accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and has a top speed of nearly 145 mph, narrowly beating out the GR86 to become the faster car.
GR Corolla is available in three trim levels: Core, Premium, and Track. The Core Edition starts at $36,500 and includes all the performance characteristics expected of a Toyota sports car. The premium version costs $40,320 and adds some luxury features like heated seats and a JBL sound system. The Track Edition costs $45,140 and comes with some cool features like a forged carbon roof, a high-mounted rear spoiler, and an upgraded interior.
丰田 GR Supra
In recent years, films like Fast and Furious have put the Toyota Supra in the spotlight, even though it has been around for more than 40 years. Since its launch in 2002, Supra has been discontinued for 17 years, but in 2019 it launched its fifth generation. The car, now powered by BMW's CLAR chassis, was initially criticized by some purists. Still, Supra has established its own personality over the years.
The GR Supra is available in two main engine options: a 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged inline-four and a 3.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged inline-six. The 2.0-liter engine produces 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. The more powerful 3.0-liter engine produces 382 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque, and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. With a top speed of 155 mph, these numbers are decisive: Supra is the fastest Toyota sports car.
However, speed is not the only factor that makes a sports car. The Supra also has a few other features, such as adaptive variable suspension on the higher-spec models, Brembo 4-piston fixed caliper disc brakes, and most importantly, a six-speed manual transmission option on the 3.0-liter model. The 2024 Toyota GR Supra base 2.0 model starts at $46,440 and goes up to $3.0 for the 66,370 model. There's nothing like a free one-year NASA (National Motor Sports Association) membership with the purchase of "It's a sports car."