Latest news with #ToyotaNZ
Scoop
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Season Two Dates Locked In For Bridgestone GR86 Championship
Dates for the second season of the Bridgestone GR86 Championship are locked and loaded for 2025 and 2026 and it promises to be another thrilling season for drivers in New Zealand's leading one make, one model championship. The six-round championship – which will once again run as a featured category in the NextGen national championship series, includes two dates at Hampton Downs, a weekend at Toyota NZ's 'home circuit' of Manfeild, the South Island leg of Teretonga followed by the 70th New Zealand Grand Prix meeting at Highlands and will conclude once again with the Supercars round at Taupo Motorsport Park. The season blasts off at the end of October with the first round at Hampton Downs before a break until the 9th – 11th January when its back to the North Waikato circuit, for its second weekend on the 'long' track. The championship heads south two weeks later for the double header at Teretonga (23-25 January) and the Grand Prix meeting at Highlands the following weekend. It's back to the North Island for the final two rounds, with Manfeild February 27th- March 1st and the the big finale at the Taupo Supercars weekend, April 10-12. A full grid was a huge feature of the inaugural year of the championship – won in style by Hugo Allan - and with dates confirmed early, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing New Zealand are again hoping for a full field of 20 plus cars. 'Last season's racing was closer than ever and produced great racing and a huge variety of winners and drivers who scored a podium result,' commented category manager Amanda Tollemache. 'Next season should be equally as exciting and there is a huge amount of interest, which we are certain will result in another big field.' 2025-2026 Bridgestone GR86 Championship Round 1 - 31 October - 2 November 2025, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park Round 2 - 9 - 11 January 2026, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park Round 3 - 23 - 25 January 2026, Teretonga Park, Invercargill (venue TBC) Round 4 - 30 January - 1 February 2026 70th New Zealand GP - Highlands Motorsport Park Round 5 - 27 February - 1 March 2026, Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon
NZ Autocar
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
V8 Cruiser finally finished
Toyota New Zealand has confirmed the death of the Land Cruiser 70 V8. Concrete pumpers and Southern farmers were seen wiping away the odd tear today as the news broke. Although they say it was merely a bit of dust on the retina causing their watery eyes. Toyota NZ has now reduced the LC 70 range to four core models, all powered by the 1GD four pot 2.8-litre diesel. This makes a similar amount of power as the V8 (150kW) and a lot more torque (500Nm v 430). But don't worry old timer, it's not a hybrid. However, it only comes hooked to an auto, which might not sit well with some. That the four cylinder LC emits less carbon dioxide per km will likely be lost on those living in the manosphere who think it's irrelevant what New Zealand does in the scheme of planetary emissions. Andrew Davis, Chief Strategic Officer, said the time had come to finally retire the V8-powered Land Cruiser 70. Read more 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 70 LT Double Cab review 'We acknowledge it was a legendary powertrain, but we are confident the complete switch to the 1GD four-cylinder and auto transmission gives a better option for customers. This powertrain will offer better in-use performance with a smoother operation and better ride quality which customers have been quick to praise' he says. The four grades of the LC 70 line up are the LT ute with either a two-door single cab or four-door double cab, the LX double cab ute and the LX wagon.
