GR Celica

[NomadDan]

There have been some recent videos of a car presumed to be the new GR Celica. These pictures and videos were taken during an event in Portugal.

 

[carguy420]

The car's proportions look oddly stubby, I hope it's just the outcome of trying to graft a coupe body onto a spaceframe chassis that was designed to match the proportions of small hatchbacks, rather than how the production Celica would look like.

 

[LCLFV]

Proportions remind me of the Autozam. Almost looks like a Kei car.

 

[LexDDas]

Just another thing Toyota/GR gets while Lexus gets nothing.
Crazy too that if it's a Toyota GR Celica, then why does GR need to be its own brand? Like...is it a Toyota or just a GR? Ridiculous.

 

[DarkSpace6383]

Just another thing Toyota/GR gets while Lexus gets nothing.
Crazy too that if it's a Toyota GR Celica, then why does GR need to be its own brand? Like...is it a Toyota or just a GR? Ridiculous.

It is just a GR Celica. GR is it's own brand. Honestly I don't even mind that. Lexus needs a combustion variant of the LFA and an LC successor though.

 

[DarkSpace6383]

From what I understand, Celica and MR2 WILL Be 2 different vehicles. Celica will produce around 300-350bhp and be front-engined, MR2 will be around 500bhp and be midengined.

 

[LexDDas]

It is just a GR Celica. GR is it's own brand. Honestly I don't even mind that. Lexus needs a combustion variant of the LFA and an LC successor though.

I mind it because why does GR have its own models while Toyota also has a Toyota GR Corolla, Toyota GR Supra, Toyota GR Yaris, etc? Yet Lexus gets nothing as always? Like Lexus lost all its performance models while Toyota/GR get the MR2, Celica, and Supra? Makes 0 sense.

 

[DarkSpace6383]

I mind it because why does GR have its own models while Toyota also has a Toyota GR Corolla, Toyota GR Supra, Toyota GR Yaris, etc? Yet Lexus gets nothing as always? Like Lexus lost all its performance models while Toyota/GR get the MR2, Celica, and Supra? Makes 0 sense.

I do agree with this.

I think what I would've personally done was move maybe Celica, Supra, and 86 under the name "TR" (so it would be called Toyota Celica TR) for Toyota Racing. Its the new racing arm they launched. Also, make all the sporty models of the other cars forward TR models. This basically shifts the rally stuff under the toyota brand, which suits it better. The Supra is more classy and it would make more sense as a TR (Toyota Racing) model, which can also compete in the supercar championship and SuperGT championships. WEC hypercar is also under the Toyota Brand, so I feel like some sportscars would benefit from being under this name.

In my eyes, Gazoo Racing is almost like a crazier, more visceral car than anything Toyota and Lexus would make. That's why I think the GR GT is perfect under the Gazoo Racing brand. What Lexus really needs is it's own Racing Division, with its own version of GR GT. The MR2 also works under this branch, serving as a good rival to the Lotus Emira, and functioning as GT4 car. Furthermore, a with a rally like nature, similar in size and body shape to the Alpine A390 and 4 + 6cyl hybrid engine options would be good. It should feel like a more premium, spacious, and versatile version of GR Corolla. Ultimately with these 3 more premium models and the separation from Toyota, I would be very happy with Gazoo Racing products being sold at Lexus Dealers.

Now as for Lexus, bring the Electric LFA for all I care, but also bring a combustion Lexus version of the supercar that can go GT racing. They are already bringing a joint successor to LC and RC that has some type of 6 cylinder engine and will be based on the Supra, which is also excellent. If executed right and designed with performance and luxury in mind, they could do extremely well. Furthermore, expand Lexus Racing to include a Formula E and WEC Hypercar team (just make the hypercar a Lexus version of the new Toyota Racing car).