The new Toyota Supra, one of the world’s most keenly anticipated new sports cars, will make its international debut in prototype form at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this summer.

The development model will be seen in action on the hill course at the famous motoring celebration in the UK, making an exclusive contribution to the programme for the festival’s silver jubilee year. The prototype will be driven up the hill course by two of the people leading its development: Chief Engineer Testuya Tada, who has overall responsibility for the Supra project, and Master Driver Herwig Daenens.

Following the announcement of a new Toyota Supra at the Geneva Motor Show in March, Toyota can confirm the model will be faithful to its distinguished heritage as pure, sports car thoroughbred by using a front-mounted, in-line six-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive.

The Toyota Supra prototype will be camouflaged in the black-red- and-white colours of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and will be in action on the Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the festival, July 12, 13, 14 and 15.

The thousands of motoring fans attending the festival will also have the chance to take a close-up look at the Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept. Created by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, this concept heralded the return of the Supra name when it was unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. It explores the potential for a high-performance competition model, featuring dramatic bodywork crafted in advanced, lightweight composite materials, lowered suspension, racing wheels and cockpit equipped to competition standards.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is the organisation which spearheads Toyota’s global sporting programme and the development of exclusive, performance-focused, GR-branded road cars, including the recently introduced Yaris GRMN. In the FIA World Endurance Championship, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing achieved Toyota’s first victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours with a one-two finish in this year’s race and the N°8 TOYOTA TS050 Hybrid which claimed the historic victory will be on display in the competition paddock at Goodwood.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing also competes at the highest international level in the FIA World Rally Championship with the Yaris WRC, claiming two victories in its debut season in 2017 and scoring a win on Rally Argentina and a number of podium finishes so far this year.

Toyota expects its new Toyota Supra to reach the market during the first half of 2019.

Every minute detail of the concept car was meticulously modelled for the game, from the striking exterior to the competition-focussed cockpit, giving gamers an unrivalled immersive experience to push the concept car to the limits on a wide variety of virtual in-game racetracks.

Developed by Polyphony Digital Inc. and first launched 20 years ago, the Gran Turismo series has become the staple for out-and-out racing game fans around the world. With the April in-game update, the Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept will join an all-encompassing and ever-growing list of Toyota road and race cars of past, present and future, including such legendary cars as the Toyota 2000GT, the 24 Hours of Le Mans hybrid electric contending TS050 Hybrid, and the much-loved Toyota Supra A80—precursor to Toyota’s latest concept.

The GR Supra Racing Concept revives the great heritage of one of Toyota’s most famous sports cars.

The Supra name evokes power, performance and handling that defined a succession of world-class cars for a quarter of a century. As a thoroughbred sports car, the Toyota Supra built a reputation both as a formidable performer on the road and as an all-conquering machine on the racetrack, dominating Japan’s top-level GT racing series and earning legions of fans.

With the concept’s debut last month, it marked the clearest indication yet of Toyota’s ambition to bring back one of the company’s most legendary sports cars which is currently under development and is slated for launch soon, as confirmed by Dr. Johan Van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, in Geneva.

For more information: https://www.gran-turismo.com/world/news/00_4133146.html

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Our vision is to deliver better mobility for all. That’s not just about making cars. It’s about developing solutions that enable everyone to enjoy the freedom of mobility, regardless of age or physical ability.

Our commitment to ever-better mobility for all is strongly linked to our Olympics and Paralympics partnerships. We feel very close to the athletes and para-athletes around the world. It’s feeling captured in our ‘Start Your Impossible’ message. It’s about our belief that everyone should aspire to achieve their life’s ambitions, however challenging.

Turning for a moment to our business performance in 2017. We broke through the one million sales mark in Europe again. That gave us a 4.8 per cent market share. With almost 80 per cent of Toyota vehicles having been built right here in Europe. That shows how dedicated we are to local manufacturing.

It’s our hybrid electric models that are powering our growth. Last year, they accounted for 41 per cent of our total European sales. In Western European markets, it was more than 50 per cent. That’s due to a 38 per cent year on year increase in the number we have sold.

Models that make a strong emotional connection with owners have also boosted our performance in 2017. Specifically the C-HR and RAV4, cars that are great to own, and to drive.

Looking ahead, we want to sustain our growth, both in sales and profit. This year, we again plan to sell more than one million vehicles. And this time we expect the hybrid mix above 47%.

Let’s now talk about the future! Here, to my right, you can see how we expect to achieve our mobility goals. Starting with the new Concept-i.

With Concept-i we are building a new relationship between the driver and the car. In effect, they become partners. Concept-i uses artificial intelligence and advanced connectivity. So it will get to know and understand the driver’s habits and preferences. Its automated driving functions will make journeys easier, safer and more enjoyable.

We have made the Concept-i RIDE fully accessible for people with limited personal mobility, such as wheelchair users. And the Concept-i WALK is compact, adaptable and easy to manoeuvre. So it’s great for moving around pedestrian areas. These 3 concepts are battery electric vehicles. But we are also working on our next generation fuel cell electric technology. That has been applied here in the Fine-Comfort Ride. It looks to the future of premium sedan design. And it’s practical, with a range of more than 1,000 kilometres, fast refuelling and, of course, zero emissions.

Toyota started the electrification revolution more than 20 years ago. We began with Prius. Then we rapidly expanded into core European segments. By the end of the month, we will have sold close to 12 million electrified vehicles worldwide. In Europe the figure is 1.8 million.

Our President Akio Toyoda announced our ambition of selling 5.5 million electrified vehicles a year, by 2030. These will include 1 million Fuel cell and Battery electric vehicles. In Europe, Hybrid electric will remain the primary vector for our future growth, as you can see outlined on the chart behind me.

When we look at the success of our hybrids in Europe, Auris is the model which moved the technology from niche to mainstream. We launched the first Auris Hybrid in 2010. It was aimed right at the heart of the important European C-segment market. Since then we have sold more than 460 thousand Auris hybrids.

It’s been a breakthrough car for Toyota. Because most have been bought by people new to the model, or to the technology. Now it is time for a new chapter in the Auris story.

Ladies and gentleman, I am pleased to present the new, third generation Auris.

As we recently confirmed, the new Auris will be made at our Burnaston factory in the UK and sales in Europe will start early next year. Its main strengths are founded on two innovations: the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) and the 4th generation hybrid electric powertrain.

TNGA gives the car rigidity and a low centre of gravity. These are the qualities you need for outstanding comfort, handling and driving pleasure. Thanks to TNGA we have been able to create a premium, dynamic design. And achieve top class NVH performance. These are key to giving the new Auris a stronger emotional appeal.

Six months ago in Frankfurt we announced a second hybrid electric powertrain for all our core models in the future. And here it is! The new Auris will be the first Toyota to offer the choice of two hybrid electric powertrains. It will have the super-efficient 1.8-litre system, the same as in the Prius and C-HR. And it will also be available with a new 2.0-litre hybrid with 180hp.

Yes, it’s more powerful. But of course it is fuel efficient. And a new Hybrid Transmission will make it even more enjoyable and engaging to drive. The current 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine will complete the range. But, you may ask, where’s the diesel powertrain? The answer is simple : there isn’t one.

We are carrying on a strategy we started with the launch of the C-HR. We are building on the success of our hybrid line-up, and phasing out Diesel engines from our passenger cars in Europe. Customer demand is a clear sign that our petrol-electric hybrids are a strong and popular alternative.

I am also pleased to introduce new upgrades for the smallest member of our range, the AYGO. The current model has done a great job for our brand. It has brought many new, younger and style-conscious customers to Toyota. Across Europe we sold more than 85,000 AYGOs last year.

Now we want to build on that momentum by giving the car even more appeal. On the outside there’s a stronger look for the famous frontal X. Inside there are new colours, patterns and upholsteries. The engine has been made quieter and more responsive. And suspension changes make for a more comfortable ride.

I have talked about the emotional appeal we are bringing to our cars. But we want to add excitement as well. That’s where the work of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is playing a key role. We launched TOYOTA GAZOO Racing as a brand in Europe last year. Because we know that taking part in motorsports is a great way to make Ever-Better Cars for the road. This year, we have already had great success. Second and third for the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa Hilux on the Dakar Rally. It’s a super tough event, but more than 40% of the vehicles which made it to the finish were Toyotas!

In WRC, after an exciting start of the season with strong performances in both Monte Carlo and Sweden, TOYOTA is running second in the Manufacturers Championship!

And for our World Endurance Championship team, a full season lies ahead. Including the Le Mans 24-hours. And we are very excited that double Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso will be in our drivers’ line-up! With him, we will further enhance our Hybrid Electric technologies for our future road cars.

And today, with the concept car I am about to reveal, we are preparing for an exciting new sports car that we will be launching soon. Ladies and gentlemen, the new GR Supra Racing Concept.

Yes, the Supra is returning. This concept is a clear signal of our intention to bring back one of our most legendary sports cars to the market. This baby, developed by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, is a thoroughbred designed for the race track.

The best way of taking our ‘Supra Hero’ into a new era. It has been made light, compact and, of course, fast.I think you will agree it looks amazing!

So to conclude, our future will seize the opportunities the Toyota New Global Architecture gives us. To create new cars with emotional designs. Cars that are desirable and genuinely rewarding to own and great to drive. We will accelerate the electrification of our model range. Not just by using our world-leading hybrid electric technology. We will also introduce new battery electric vehicles.

And we will make sure that “Fun to drive” and Proud to Own will be associated with Toyota. Just like Quality and Durability already are.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you all for your kind attention.

And now for your photographs, first of all I would now like to invite Ueda-san, Chief Engineer of the new Auris, to join me here on stage.

Tada-san, Chief Engineer of Supra, will be available next to the GR Supra Concept,

and Terai-san, Chief Engineer of AYGO will be next to the New Aygos.

Thank you very much.

makes its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, reviving the name and spirit of the most celebrated model in Toyota’s illustrious sportscar heritage and demonstrating Toyota’s commitment to bringing the Supra back to the market. It also shows the future potential for a car that can deliver high performance both on road and track.

Toyota Supra heritage

The GR Supra Racing Concept revives the great heritage of one of Toyota’s most famous sports cars

The Supra name evokes power, performance and handling that defined a succession of world-class cars for a quarter of a century. As a thoroughbred sports car, the Toyota Supra built a reputation both as a formidable performer on the road and as an all-conquering machine on the racetrack, dominating Japan’s top-level GT racing series and earning legions of fans.

The Toyota Supra still enjoys an iconic status among sports car aficionados, 16 years on from the end of production. Its enduring popularity has been helped by its success as a popular model in the Gran Turismo® driving simulator video game series, which is only playable on PlayStation consoles, and as a starring car in the first film in The Fast and the Furious global action movie series.

The Supra badge first appeared in 1978 on a larger and more powerful version of the second generation Celica before becoming established as a successful model in its own right.

Known as the A40, the original Supra was followed by three further generations: the A60 in 1981, A70 in 1986 and A80 in 1993.

The front engine/rear-wheel drive GT sportscar remained in production until 2002, and in its final generation it was Toyota’s most powerful production model.

The Supra’s reputation was greatly enhanced by its success in motorsport. Most notably, the fourth generation Supra, introduced in 1993, became the dominant force in the All-Japan GT racing – today’s Super GT series – winning the GT500 class four times.

The Toyota Supra also competed in American IMSA sportscar racing in the 1980s and twice appeared at Le Mans in the 1990s.

GR Supra Racing Concept

A compact, two-door car, the GR Supra Racing Concept has a pure front-engine/rear-wheel drive configuration and makes use of advanced lightweight materials in its construction.

Created by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, the concept perfectly expresses the “fun to drive” quality that is intrinsic to Toyota’s commitment to making ever-better cars. The large “90” race number on its doors is a historical reference to Supra’s codename and a big visual clue to the fact that this concept heralds Supra’s return in a fifth generation.

Its development is true to the belief of Kiichiro Toyoda, founder of the car company, that participation in motorsport provides the challenges of performance and durability that can directly help develop better cars, while at the same time generating interest and excitement among motoring fans.

This ethos has been fully embraced by both Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda and by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, with the pursuit of success at the highest levels of international motorsport, including the World Rally Championship, World Endurance Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours race. Taking part in these and other racing series around the world provides technical learnings that can be transferred from the race track or rally stage to development of not just new generations of Toyota’s sports-focused GR models, but also to its wider range of vehicles, driven by tens of millions of people around the world.

The GR Supra Racing Concept is to be featured in a new update of the Gran Turismo Sport video game, developed by Polyphony Digital Inc., and scheduled for release in April 2018.

Design, chassis and equipment features

The racing concept has a dramatic bodywork design that includes a large rear wing. It makes extensive use of strong but lightweight composite material for elements such as the wide front and rear bumpers, front splitter and rear diffuser, side skirts, door mirror housings and the rear wing. The hood is crafted from the same material and features louvred air inlets. The windscreen and side windows are made of plastic.

The concept’s chassis features lowered front and rear suspension using original equipment (OE) components. BBS racing wheels with centre-nut attachment are fitted with Michelin racing tyres. The braking system uses Brembo Racing callipers and discs and there is a racing exhaust.

The cabin is entirely competition-focused and is fitted with a racing dashboard and OMP driver’s seat and safety harness. OMP has also supplied the quick-release steering wheel, mounted on a racing column and equipped with a paddle shift system. The doors are lined with carbon fibre panels and the dashboard includes a racing display.

Competition safety requirements are met by a full roll cage and fire extinguishers, and the fuel and brake lines, pedal box, battery and wiring looms are all designed to competition standard.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing first competed in Europe in 2007 (as GAZOO Racing). It began a long association with the Nürburgring 24 Hours with two Toyota Altezza cars (equivalent to the first generation Lexus IS) and a team comprising drivers and mechanics who were Toyota employees.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has since become the international umbrella organisation for Toyota’s global sporting programme. In just the past year has claimed two victories during its first season in the FIA World Rally Championship and won five rounds of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Its new vehicle development programme has produced the Yaris GRMN performance hatchback, the latest in a successful series of performance-focused GR-branded cars and the first GRMN model to be developed and built in Europe.

Its work is based on three pillars: developing people through taking part in motorsport; creating fans through the excitement of motorsport and producing fun-to-drive cars; and making ever-better cars by using the knowledge gained from competition.

By bringing employees into the racing garages and pit lane, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing helps them improve their skills and help them acquire new abilities, working as a team in extreme, high-pressure environments. The personal development aspect of this work again feeds directly into Toyota’s making of ever-better cars, supported by people who have the experience and vision to excel.

https://livestream.com/Toyota/Geneva2018

Tuesday March 6^th 9:45 CET