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Toyota
Toyota
Toyota
Toyota
The Tokyo Auto Salon kicked off this weekend, filling the slot in the Japanese car scene that SEMA does in North America or Essen does in Germany with tuned and modified versions of domestic automobiles. Of course, Toyota wouldn’t miss out on the opportunity to show just how far its JDM models can be taken, and to that end brought no fewer than 34 customized vehicles to the Makuhari Messe in Chiba City.
Among the highlights is the Harrier G Sports Concept, a modified version of the new crossover that debuted just a couple of months ago at the more mainstream Tokyo Motor Show, with a blacked-out snout that makes it look like a Lexus RX with a bloody nose. There was also a similarly modified Vitz RS G Sports Concept, fitting sports seats and a firmer suspension to the hatchback better known on this side of the Pacific as the Yaris.
Toyota’s Japanese in-house tuning division GRMN modified the domestic Mark X sport sedan, replete with 3.5-liter V6 and six-speed manual, with an optimized suspension, brakes and Torsen limited-slip differential. It was joined by the GRMN 86 Concept that brings Gazoo Racing’s experience on the Nürburgring to the streets of Japan with a lower curb weight, enhanced powertrain and a firmer suspension.
Alongside the modified Harrier, Vitz, Mark X and GT86, Toyota brought in custom rides from Gazoo Racing, G Sports, Modellista and TRD, the full extent of which you can read about, along with the full specs on those four centerpieces, in the press release below.
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New Toyota ‘GRMN’,’G’s’ Concepts Debut at Tokyo Auto Salon 2014
Toyota City, Japan, January 10, 2014-Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is showing multiple concept vehicles at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2014 with NAPAC1 customized-car exhibition-the world’s largest-running from today through January 12 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City.
The display, totaling 34 vehicles, showcases two “GAZOO Racing tuned by MN”2 (GRMN) and two “G Sports”3 (G’s) concept models, as well as three GAZOO Racing4 vehicles that are to compete in the 42nd 24 Hours Nürburgring endurance race in Germany in June. The display space, 50 percent larger than last year’s, also features various custom sedans and minivans from Toyota associated brands and affiliates.
The GRMN series display features the “GRMN Mark X Concept” and the “GRMN 86 Concept”-vehicles designed to bring the joy of sporty driving to all kinds of roads. The GRMN Mark X Concept combines the Mark X’s exclusive 6-speed manual transmission with a V6 3.5-liter engine, and features special suspension tuning, disc brakes and Torsen® limited-slip differential5 for even more satisfying control and a greater joy of driving. The GRMN 86 Concept incorporates the technical expertise gained through the 24 Hours Nürburgring endurance race, achieving optimal vehicle weight reduction, a lower center of gravity, an enhanced powertrain and improved body rigidity.
The G’s series display features the “Harrier G Sports Concept”-the first sporty SUV in the G’s series, which combines the joy of driving with riding comfort and adds a sporty and unique feel to the base vehicle-and the “Vitz RS G Sports Concept”, which features exclusive sports seats, enhanced body rigidity, and optimized suspension tuning for an enhanced sporty feel.
Toyota views the Tokyo Auto Salon as a venue for peoples’ dreams about automobiles to converge. Building on last year’s show, Toyota hopes to convey the joy of owning, driving, and discussing automobiles cultivated through GAZOO Racing activities to an even broader range of people, thereby creating new car enthusiasts.
Tokyo Auto Salon website link: https://www.tokyoautosalon.jp/?lang=en
1Nippon Auto Parts Aftermarket Committee
2Product brand forged on the streets of Nürburgring-considered by many to be the crucible of performance-vehicle development-and through other races and fine-tuning by GAZOO Racing test drivers
3Sports conversion series of models fully tuned by GAZOO Racing test drivers and set at an affordable price range by reducing production costs through partial inline customization and other measures to give a wider range of consumers a taste of racing and the enjoyment of cars
4GAZOO Racing is a vehicle-development and motor-sports support program created by GAZOO. Toyota test drivers participate in races and vehicle development with the aim of creating ever-better cars, and grass-roots motor sports events are promoted to provide the joy of driving to consumers
5A differential gear that applies optimal drive force to the left and right wheels according to the road surface conditions. Torsen is a trademark of JTEKT Corporation.
Key Specifications of Toyota Concept Vehicles Exhibited at Tokyo Auto Salon 2014
List of TMC and Associated Brand Vehicles at Tokyo Auto Salon 2014
*Launch timing and prices to be determined