Latest news with #SuperTaikyuSeries
Yahoo
09-08-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Toyota Admits ‘Many Challenges' With Its Mid-Engine Sports Prototype
Toyota Admits 'Many Challenges' With Its Mid-Engine Sports Prototype originally appeared on Autoblog. The GR Yaris M Concept is a testbed with troubles Toyota's GR Yaris M Concept, a testbed for the company's compact mid-engine sports car engineering, has yet to make its planned 2025 race debut as the manufacturer grapples with significant developmental challenges. After the GR Yaris M Concept missed another race in Japan's Super Taikyu Series this past weekend, Toyota announced: 'While many challenges have been identified and improvements are ongoing, there are difficulties unique to midship-mounted vehicles in terms of braking, steering, and driving, and Toyota has therefore decided not to participate with this vehicle at Autopolis to refine it further.' Toyota added that it 'has its sights set on entering the vehicle in future races,' but there are only two more Super Taikyu Series rounds left in the 2025 season. The Super Taikyu Series consists of seven rounds, with its final two races scheduled to take place over a three-hour event on October 26 at Okayama International Circuit and November 16-17 at Fuji Speedway. Toyota unveiled its GR Yaris M Concept in January. According to the manufacturer, the GR Yaris M Concept features a new G20E engine with an IHI turbocharger, producing 400 to 450 standard horsepower. A version with a larger turbo is also available, offering up to 600 horsepower. Mid-engine sports car challenges aren't limited to Toyota Mid-engine sports car development issues have occurred with other automakers, such as General Motors (GM), which encountered several problems with its Pontiac Fiero produced during the mid-1980s. The Fiero sports car used a three-quart oil pan instead of a four-quart one during its first model year, resulting in the engine sometimes running hot due to an oil shortage, according to MotorTrend. Pontiac's 1984 Fiero also had weak connecting rods and a wiring harness mounted too close to the exhaust manifolds, which increased the risk of engine fire. One in every 400 debut Fieros experienced a fire, and GM didn't recall the vehicle until 1987. So, what makes a mid-engine car difficult to perfect? These vehicles have a low center of gravity, which aids stability but makes regaining control harder during spins. Mid-engine sports cars are also more expensive on average to make, posing challenges to companies like Toyota. In contrast, companies like Ferrari, known for using this configuration, aren't as restricted in this area. Since mid-engine parts are more difficult to access, repairs can also come at a higher expense. Rumors of Toyota using the GR Yaris M to help revive its mid-engine MR2 sports car have excited many, but this concept's slow development raises doubts about a near-future MR2 release. Final thoughts Toyota hasn't yet pulled the plug on its mid-engine sports car testbed, but those waiting on an MR2 revival shouldn't necessarily hold their breath. The automaker has until mid-November to fulfill its goal of entering the GR Yaris M Concept into Japan's Super Taikyu Series, and whether this happens will likely influence release timelines for future mid-engine models. Toyota's current struggles with its compact mid-engine sports car concept underscore the challenge of striking a balance among performance, reliability, and affordability in these vehicles. Still, the manufacturer appears to be carefully navigating these obstacles to facilitate smooth debuts of future mass-market models using the configuration. Toyota Admits 'Many Challenges' With Its Mid-Engine Sports Prototype first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 8, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Miami Herald
09-08-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Toyota Admits ‘Many Challenges' With Its Mid-Engine Sports Prototype
Toyota's GR Yaris M Concept, a testbed for the company's compact mid-engine sports car engineering, has yet to make its planned 2025 race debut as the manufacturer grapples with significant developmental challenges. After the GR Yaris M Concept missed another race in Japan's Super Taikyu Series this past weekend, Toyota announced: "While many challenges have been identified and improvements are ongoing, there are difficulties unique to midship-mounted vehicles in terms of braking, steering, and driving, and Toyota has therefore decided not to participate with this vehicle at Autopolis to refine it further." Toyota added that it "has its sights set on entering the vehicle in future races," but there are only two more Super Taikyu Series rounds left in the 2025 season. The Super Taikyu Series consists of seven rounds, with its final two races scheduled to take place over a three-hour event on October 26 at Okayama International Circuit and November 16-17 at Fuji Speedway. Toyota unveiled its GR Yaris M Concept in January. According to the manufacturer, the GR Yaris M Concept features a new G20E engine with an IHI turbocharger, producing 400 to 450 standard horsepower. A version with a larger turbo is also available, offering up to 600 horsepower. Mid-engine sports car development issues have occurred with other automakers, such as General Motors (GM), which encountered several problems with its Pontiac Fiero produced during the mid-1980s. The Fiero sports car used a three-quart oil pan instead of a four-quart one during its first model year, resulting in the engine sometimes running hot due to an oil shortage, according to MotorTrend. Pontiac's 1984 Fiero also had weak connecting rods and a wiring harness mounted too close to the exhaust manifolds, which increased the risk of engine fire. One in every 400 debut Fieros experienced a fire, and GM didn't recall the vehicle until 1987. So, what makes a mid-engine car difficult to perfect? These vehicles have a low center of gravity, which aids stability but makes regaining control harder during spins. Mid-engine sports cars are also more expensive on average to make, posing challenges to companies like Toyota. In contrast, companies like Ferrari, known for using this configuration, aren't as restricted in this area. Since mid-engine parts are more difficult to access, repairs can also come at a higher expense. Rumors of Toyota using the GR Yaris M to help revive its mid-engine MR2 sports car have excited many, but this concept's slow development raises doubts about a near-future MR2 release. Toyota hasn't yet pulled the plug on its mid-engine sports car testbed, but those waiting on an MR2 revival shouldn't necessarily hold their breath. The automaker has until mid-November to fulfill its goal of entering the GR Yaris M Concept into Japan's Super Taikyu Series, and whether this happens will likely influence release timelines for future mid-engine models. Toyota's current struggles with its compact mid-engine sports car concept underscore the challenge of striking a balance among performance, reliability, and affordability in these vehicles. Still, the manufacturer appears to be carefully navigating these obstacles to facilitate smooth debuts of future mass-market models using the configuration. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Did Toyota Just Kill All Hope for the Return of an Iconic Mid-Engine Car?
Recent testing difficulties suggest that the Japanese automaker's 'driver-first' development process isn't going according to plan. Ever since Toyota unveiled the FT-Se back in 2023, the rumor mill has been firing on all cylinders about how the concept would be reflected in the automaker's upcoming sports cars. With its sleek shape, two-seater configuration and all-electric powertrain, the design initially seemed like a natural next step for the long-discontinued Toyota MR2. Since that time, Toyota has only continued to muddy the waters. In addition to hinting at the revival of yet another iconic sports car in a potential Celica successor, the automaker has also announced the ongoing development of a mid-engine model through the GR Yaris M Concept. At this stage, Toyota has yet to confirm if a new MR2 is actually on its way. However, due to recent testing difficulties and some previous naming confusion, it's seeming increasingly unlikely that the model will be making a return anytime soon. Hot hatch hiccups When Toyota pulled the wraps off the GR Yaris M at the Tokyo Auto Salon earlier this year, it stated that the concept would compete in the Super Taikyu Series as part of a process it coined 'driver-first' carmaking. In practice, this meant that the test mules would be 'repeatedly driven to failure and then repaired in the extreme conditions of racing' to gauge real-world performance and get feedback from those behind the wheel. Evidently, things aren't quite going according to plan. As part of a recent announcement signaling its entry into the ENEOS Super Taikyu Series, Toyota gave an update on the state of the GR Yaris M development. Due to the 'difficulties unique to midship-mounted vehicles in terms of braking, steering, and driving,' the GR Yaris M will not be participating at this time. Now, it's worth noting that Toyota hasn't pulled the plug on the program just yet. The automaker also announced that 'many challenges have been identified and improvements are ongoing,' so there's still potential that its mid-engine sports car will eventually come to market. Sports car confusion That said, the news doesn't bode well for the MR2's return. The development of a mid-mounted sports car was the most promising aspect of the rumors for a potential successor, especially in light of previous confusion over naming conventions. That's because, even though there has been an abundance of speculation suggesting that both the MR2 and the Celica are due for a revival, a report from Japanese magazine Best Car indicated that the two Toyota sports cars are, in fact, one and the same. After all, it's not like the automaker has been sitting idle. Between the GR86, the GR Yaris, the GR GT3/Lexus LFA successor and the next-generation Supra, Toyota certainly has its hands full. Considering that the Celica has also been confirmed, the addition of a new MR2 would make for quite the crowded sports car lineup. Celica surety While Toyota has remained pretty tight-lipped about the potential return of the MR2, it hasn't shied away from drumming up hype for the Celica. The automaker initially teased the eighth-generation sports car through its in-house animated series Grip, showing a whiteboard littered with iconic nameplates. Granted, a fourth-generation MR2 also made the list, but Toyota has since extended its trademark for the Celica name and filed a trademark for 'GR Celica' to boot. As if that wasn't enough, at the 2024 Rally Japan event, Toyota vice-president Yuki Nakajima reportedly said that 'there are many people within the company who are eagerly awaiting the Celica. So… I wonder if it's okay to say this in a public forum, but we're doing the Celica!' Only time will tell whether the eighth generation arrives as a mid-engine coupe based on the GR Yaris M. As of now, though, all signs suggest that the Celica is the Toyota sports car set to make a return. Even without a concrete timeline, Nakajima's statement amounts to far more of a confirmation than any hearsay related to the MR2.
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Did Toyota Just Kill All Hope for the Return of an Iconic Mid-Engine Car?
Recent testing difficulties suggest that the Japanese automaker's 'driver-first' development process isn't going according to plan. Ever since Toyota unveiled the FT-Se back in 2023, the rumor mill has been firing on all cylinders about how the concept would be reflected in the automaker's upcoming sports cars. With its sleek shape, two-seater configuration and all-electric powertrain, the design initially seemed like a natural next step for the long-discontinued Toyota MR2. Since that time, Toyota has only continued to muddy the waters. In addition to hinting at the revival of yet another iconic sports car in a potential Celica successor, the automaker has also announced the ongoing development of a mid-engine model through the GR Yaris M Concept. At this stage, Toyota has yet to confirm if a new MR2 is actually on its way. However, due to recent testing difficulties and some previous naming confusion, it's seeming increasingly unlikely that the model will be making a return anytime soon. Hot hatch hiccups When Toyota pulled the wraps off the GR Yaris M at the Tokyo Auto Salon earlier this year, it stated that the concept would compete in the Super Taikyu Series as part of a process it coined 'driver-first' carmaking. In practice, this meant that the test mules would be 'repeatedly driven to failure and then repaired in the extreme conditions of racing' to gauge real-world performance and get feedback from those behind the wheel. Evidently, things aren't quite going according to plan. As part of a recent announcement signaling its entry into the ENEOS Super Taikyu Series, Toyota gave an update on the state of the GR Yaris M development. Due to the 'difficulties unique to midship-mounted vehicles in terms of braking, steering, and driving,' the GR Yaris M will not be participating at this time. Now, it's worth noting that Toyota hasn't pulled the plug on the program just yet. The automaker also announced that 'many challenges have been identified and improvements are ongoing,' so there's still potential that its mid-engine sports car will eventually come to market. Sports car confusion That said, the news doesn't bode well for the MR2's return. The development of a mid-mounted sports car was the most promising aspect of the rumors for a potential successor, especially in light of previous confusion over naming conventions. That's because, even though there has been an abundance of speculation suggesting that both the MR2 and the Celica are due for a revival, a report from Japanese magazine Best Car indicated that the two Toyota sports cars are, in fact, one and the same. After all, it's not like the automaker has been sitting idle. Between the GR86, the GR Yaris, the GR GT3/Lexus LFA successor and the next-generation Supra, Toyota certainly has its hands full. Considering that the Celica has also been confirmed, the addition of a new MR2 would make for quite the crowded sports car lineup. Celica surety While Toyota has remained pretty tight-lipped about the potential return of the MR2, it hasn't shied away from drumming up hype for the Celica. The automaker initially teased the eighth-generation sports car through its in-house animated series Grip, showing a whiteboard littered with iconic nameplates. Granted, a fourth-generation MR2 also made the list, but Toyota has since extended its trademark for the Celica name and filed a trademark for 'GR Celica' to boot. As if that wasn't enough, at the 2024 Rally Japan event, Toyota vice-president Yuki Nakajima reportedly said that 'there are many people within the company who are eagerly awaiting the Celica. So… I wonder if it's okay to say this in a public forum, but we're doing the Celica!' Only time will tell whether the eighth generation arrives as a mid-engine coupe based on the GR Yaris M. As of now, though, all signs suggest that the Celica is the Toyota sports car set to make a return. Even without a concrete timeline, Nakajima's statement amounts to far more of a confirmation than any hearsay related to the MR2.
The Sun
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Subaru prepares to unveil new performance model at Japan Mobility Show
Subaru has announced plans to debut a new vehicle at the upcoming Japan Mobility Show, sparking speculation about the brand's future direction. The reveal was made during an information session held at Fuji Speedway in conjunction with the Fuji 24 Hours Race, which is part of the third round of the Super Taikyu Series. According to Car Watch, during the session, Tetsuro Fujinuki, Subaru's Executive Managing Director and Chief Technical Officer, confirmed the forthcoming unveiling with a cryptic slide image that hinted at a new model. Although the image appeared heavily edited, it marked the first official visual tease of what may be Subaru's next performance vehicle. While rumours suggest this could be a new WRX, Fujinuki refrained from confirming any details. Fujinuki, who took on additional responsibilities for product planning in April, indicated his intention to develop a car that embodies what he described as a 'more Subaru-like and interesting' identity. He acknowledged the desire to reveal more concrete details but noted internal pressure to remain deliberately vague ahead of the official debut. He stated that Subaru aims to create an engaging car by leveraging its current technological capabilities. The upcoming model is expected to arrive relatively soon after its announcement, suggesting it may already be deep into development. Fujinuki added that while the new vehicle would utilise Subaru's present technologies, future plans also include the development of even more advanced models. One of the session's significant announcements was Subaru's ongoing work on a new horizontally opposed engine. However, Fujinuki clarified that this new engine would not be ready in time for the mystery model. As a result, the car slated for the Japan Mobility Show will instead make use of existing mechanical systems. This approach marks a notable shift in Subaru's strategy, especially following a joint presentation on 28 May 2024 with Toyota and Mazda titled the 'Multi-Pathway Workshop.' While Subaru had previously emphasised electrification, the event underlined a renewed commitment to traditional brand elements such as the boxer engine and symmetrical all-wheel drive. Additionally, Subaru highlighted its new transmission, developed using Toyota Hybrid System (THS) technology – dubbed TH2B. This system will feature in hybrid versions of the new Crosstrek and Forester SUVs and is part of Subaru's push to enhance hybrid performance under its 'S:HEV' branding. The TH2B system could potentially be paired with Subaru's FA24 engine – a 2.4-litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder horizontally opposed unit – in the new model. Currently coupled with a Lineartronic CVT, the FA24 might see a performance boost through the integration of electric motor assistance. If implemented, this combination would suit both production efficiency and the performance aspirations implied by the teaser image. Hints from the presentation slides further fuel speculation. The raised bonnet suggests a supercharged or turbocharged engine, while the pronounced rear overhang and large rear wing imply a four-wheel-drive layout with a sporty hatchback profile. The visible grille design appears inconsistent with fully electric vehicles, reinforcing the impression that this is a combustion or hybrid-powered sports model. While these visual clues point to a performance-focused vehicle, they also raise questions about the complexity of integrating hybrid technology, particularly the spatial demands of batteries and electric components. Nevertheless, there is a growing sense of confidence within Subaru regarding the continued appeal of its mechanical all-wheel drive and boxer engine configuration. Subaru's upcoming model, described as 'Subaru-like' and 'interesting,' will serve as a litmus test for the brand's future positioning as it navigates a changing automotive landscape. With the Japan Mobility Show scheduled from 30 October to 9 November 2025, enthusiasts and industry watchers alike will be keen to see what shape this new chapter for Subaru will take.
