#GIMS2017: Toyota To Target Sports Car Segment With Three Distinct Lines

Toyota is set once again to be a major player in the performance car market. Echoing its line-up of 20 years ago, the heart of its sporting range will be “The Three Brothers”, according to legendary Toyota engineer, and Gazoo Racing chief, Tetsuya Tada.

That means a new Supra, the GT86 taking the place once held by successive generations of Celica, and a spiritual successor to the MR2 in the form of a lightweight sports car. Tada-San expressed Toyota’s desire to have the trio in production together “As soon as possible”. With other performance ‘specials’ like the new Yaris GRNM hot hatch, Toyota’s driver-focused offering should soon be unrecognisable from the barren period of recent years.

Gambit - 3/8/2017 2:28:04 PM

+2 Boost

I'll believe it when I see it. Big companies seem to hate sports cars

MDarringer - 3/8/2017 6:52:38 PM

-1 Boost

Well let's see...

The GT86 is garbage with its anemic Subaru Super Beetle engine and less than grippy handling all priced $5K over what it might be worth if it had any power and handling.

The Supra should have been aimed at the Mustang GT/Camaro SS price band, but is rumored to be roughly $30K higher priced.

Yeah. We should take Toyota seriously.

MrEE - 3/8/2017 8:17:30 PM

+2 Boost

Supra sure to be competitive against Porsche.
Likely will take customers from GM and Ford customers interested in driving performance over retro styling.

MDarringer - 3/8/2017 11:53:26 PM

-2 Boost

If the Supra is to compete against Porsche, it needs a Lexus badge. Given that it comes from the Japanese "Walmart" of automakers, no one will take a Porsche-priced Toyota seriously.

MBguy - 3/8/2017 8:49:06 PM

+4 Boost

You miss the point of the 86. It's supposed to be lightweight, fun and inexpensive (NOT a power monster).

Drive one - you will agree that the handling blows away almost any other vehicle in the sub-$30k range.

Yes, one can look at an entry level Mustang or Camaro - both of which offer more power.

But I wouldn't say they necessarily offer more fun.

MDarringer - 3/8/2017 11:58:30 PM

-1 Boost

Here we go again with the Miata/GT86 BS. If you want a slow car, fine. But why begrudge anyone who is not satisfied with their slowness and tepid handling?

The handling of the GT86 "blows" more than it blows anything away. In fact, it's easily out-handled for the same price by several cars that are much more entertaining to drive.

The GT86 and the Miata are for people who never went to performance driving school and consequently want a car that is safe. They want a Camry...which is what the terrible GT86 is to sports cars.

85bmw745i - 3/10/2017 10:54:21 AM

+1 Boost

They are great, but would be better knowing you wouldn't get smoked by a mini van should you try to pass one. A high strung normally aspirated engine like the one in the Honda S2000 and grippier tires would make this thing simply perfection in every way!