No Longer Beige? Toyota To Give US Lineup TRD Versions PLUS A Dedicated Sports Car Platform

Toyota’s recently announced Gazoo Racing (GR) model series is set to include a dedicated sports car platform, apart from beefed-up versions of the regular models.

So far, the GR series is a Japan-only affair but Toyota will soon expand its availability to other regions as well, including Europe but not North America. The company’s executives decided that Gazoo-tuned models destined for North America will be offered under the already established TRD (Toyota Racing Development) brand, AutoNews reports.

The same report goes on saying that U.S. executives of the brand don’t like the sound of the Gazoo name as it has no obvious tie-ins with Toyota in the region and remind them of a green alien cartoon character from the Flintstones.

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Dexter1 - 9/25/2017 1:15:38 PM

+3 Boost

OMG—an even uglier MINI.

carloslassiter - 9/25/2017 1:19:50 PM

+5 Boost

It's Mini meets 911, and not in a good way.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 9/25/2017 1:22:21 PM

+5 Boost

I thought they had learned their mistakes with Scion. Oh well.

MicrosoftUser - 9/25/2017 5:09:20 PM

+3 Boost

How funny or how sad! Toyota has adopted the Toyota Avalon duck lips design into the front end of this already ugly car. Wonder if they're gonna add a FAKE hood scoop and cheap fender ground effects from JC Whitney to their US version TuRD editions next.

Vette71 - 9/25/2017 5:44:05 PM

0 Boost

Gazoo out the Wazoo!

zze110 - 9/25/2017 7:06:46 PM

+3 Boost

Just when I thought the S-FR was a dead concept... you bring it back. I actually really want one (cash-in-hand ready), but I doubt it will ever get built.

MDarringer - 9/25/2017 7:58:25 PM

+1 Boost

Yay! TuRD versions!