@Toyota: Exhibiting at Tokyo Auto Salon 2023 and Tokyo Outdoor Show

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) and Lexus are exhibiting at the three-day Tokyo Auto Salon 2023^*1 held at Makuhari Messe (in Chiba, Japan) from January 13 to 15, 2023. Also, Toyota and Lexus are exhibiting at the concurrent Tokyo Outdoor Show^*2 at the same venue. Under the shared theme of “Toyota: Leaving no car lovers behind”, TGR, Lexus, and Toyota are exhibiting vehicles and automotive parts in line with the three concepts of “Carbon neutrality for protecting beloved cars”, “Making ever-better motorsports-bred cars”, and “Diverse lifestyles to enjoy with beloved cars”. During the events, TGR and Lexus will also propose new ways to enjoy cars and motorsports in the carbon-neutral era through talk sessions by professional racing drivers and development engineers, as well as through demo runs.

For details of the exhibited vehicles, as well as for a 9:30 a.m. press conference on January 13 and talk sessions (scheduled to feature Toyota President Akio Toyoda, professional racing drivers, and others), please visit the following URL.
https://toyotagazooracing.com/jp/eventexhibition/tokyoautosalon/ (in Japanese)

The press conference will be available in both Japanese and English.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP2YsAqMsMU

Also, as new initiatives utilizing digital technology, TGR and Lexus have organized an “NFT Digital Stamp Rally” for added enjoyment at Tokyo Auto Salon 2023’s physical venue and a metaverse-based “Virtual Garage by GR/Lexus”. For more information, please visit the following URL.
https://toyotagazooracing.com/jp/eventexhibition/tokyoautosalon/virtualgarage (in Japanese)

Outline of exhibit

List of main vehicles and products exhibited at Tokyo Auto Salon 2023 and Tokyo Outdoor Show

(This press release describes in detail the underlined items.)

AE86 H2 Concept (hydrogen-engine vehicle)

By utilizing the knowledge acquired by “making ever-better motorsports-bred cars” as put into practice by TGR and ROOKIE Racing in Japan’s Super Taikyu Series, TGR has developed a vehicle that can be driven while enjoying the internal combustion engine’s appeal points of sound and vibration. For this, two Toyota Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks are mounted in the rear, and other modifications, including fuel injectors, fuel pipes, and spark plugs, have been kept to the minimum.

AE86 BEV Concept (battery electric vehicle)

Utilizing the electrification technologies cultivated by Lexus, the AE86’s body, light weight, and front-rear weight balance were maintained as much as possible, while the robust driving force characteristic of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) and a manual transmission were adopted to develop a vehicle that offers even greater driving pleasure than the original. The vehicle also makes maximum use of the electrification technology of existing commercially sold vehicles, employing a Tundra HEV electric motor, a Prius PHEV battery, and others.

Common to both above concept vehicles

Aiming to contribute to carbon neutrality by working together with aftermarket parts manufacturers, both AE86-derived concept vehicles feature rejuvenated used seats and seatbelts and seatbelt pads made from recycled materials.

TGR hopes to apply the knowledge it has gained through its participation in the WRC to making ever-better cars and developing all types of motorsports. As part of that, to become more involved in customer motorsports in rallying, it has developed the “GR YARIS Rally2 Concept”, which meets the Rally2 regulations used by many customer motorsports teams. In 2023, the team will hone the vehicle by competing in the Japanese Rally Championship with the “GR YARIS Rally2 Concept”-based “GR YARIS WR Concept” (tentative name) and will continue development while reflecting feedback from customer motorsports teams, aiming to obtain homologation in January 2024.

For more information on the GR Yaris Rally2 Concept and its correlation with rally competitions, please refer to the following URL.
https://toyotagazooracing.com/jp/gr/yaris/rally2/ (in Japanese)

To further boost the WRC, which became a hot topic in Japan last year after Rally Japan was held for the first time in 12 years, TGR is showing special Toyota GR Yaris models for the first time developed under the supervision of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team members Sébastien Ogier, who won the drivers’ title in 2021, and Calle Rovampella, who won the drivers’ title in 2022. Both models feature vehicle settings that match input from each rally driver and discerning attention paid to both their interior and exterior. The commercial release date and additional vehicle details are to be announced later.

GR Yaris RZ “High-performance Sébastien Ogier Edition Concept” and GR Yaris RZ “High-performance Kalle Rovanperä Edition Concept”

In addition to “high performance” equipment, both GR Yaris RZ-based vehicles have the features listed below.

Also, TGR is considering offering customers who purchase either of these models posted proof on WRC competition vehicles that they are our partners in competing in the WRC, as well as an opportunity to meet with Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä.

For more information, please visit the following URL.
https://toyotagazooracing.com/jp/eventexhibition/tokyoautosalon/lineup/#gryaris_so-kr (in Japanese)

The LEXUS LX 600 “OFFROAD” TEAM JAOS 2022 ver. from TEAM JAOS, operated by JAOS Co., Ltd., that participated in the 2022 BAJA1000, will also be exhibited. The BAJA1000 is one of the world’s toughest off-road races, with less than half of the competitors finishing each year; all those who do finish are said to be winners because of the grueling, non-stop race over approximately 1,000 miles (1,600 km) off-road from start-to-finish. The vehicle entered in the competition was modified according to the “Stock Full Class (unmodified production vehicle class)” regulations with a primary focus on safety enhancements. The BAJA1000 project with TEAM JAOS is still ongoing as part of a three-year project. The competition vehicle continues to evolve as it accumulates racing experience.

For more information on the LEXUS LX 600 “OFFROAD” TEAM JAOS 2022 ver. please visit the dedicated website of JAOS Corporation below.
https://www.jaos.co.jp/teamjaos/2022 (in Japanese)

For the GR Yaris, which continues to be honed and evolved on the front line of motorsports, knowledge gained by competing in races is reflected in production vehicles and provided to customers as quickly as possible. Maintaining the philosophy of the GRMN Yaris, which has been honed together with professional racing drivers through the introduction of numerous exclusive parts, TGR will release GR Parts tuned to suit the GR Yaris for enjoying a higher level of sporty driving. The following items will be available in succession exclusively at GR Garage locations nationwide in Japan starting from end of January 2023. Items to be released

Note

Limited quantities could result in extended delivery times, depending on the part. Details will be announced at the time of release. For more information, please visit the following URL.
https://toyotagazooracing.com/jp/gr/grparts/gryaris/grgexclusive_parts/ (in Japanese)

GR Parts for the GR86

The following eight items will be available at sales outlets nationwide from January 13, 2023, the first day of the Tokyo Auto Salon 2023.

The GR Heritage Parts Project is an initiative to reissue discontinued service parts and sell them anew as genuine parts to meet customers’ desires to keep on driving their memory-filled beloved cars. In 2023, TGR plans to launch 32 items for eight models, expanding by three the range of Toyota Land Cruiser models covered. As a first step, TGR plans to release rear axle shafts for the Land Cruiser 70 and Land Cruiser 80 in April 2023. The TGR website accepts requests for parts to be reissued and, from January 13, 2023, it started accepting requests from Land Cruiser 60, 70, and 80 customers. The types of parts to be reissued are to be selected while taking into consideration such requests. For more information, please visit the following URL.
https://toyotagazooracing.com/jp/gr/heritage/ (in Japanese)

86Re:PROJECT

The 86Re:PROJECT is a Japanese-market initiative for bringing customers’ Toyota 86s (ZN6 model) into dealer workshops for inspection, parts replacement, and tuning to give them once again a new-car-like driving edge. After inspecting a vehicle’s condition and checking for any parts that need replacement or after finding any abnormalities, expert staff members consult with the customer and propose detailed maintenance based on a menu that includes “Engine Refresh Course”, “Rubber Mount Replacement Course” and other services, depending on the condition of the customer’s vehicle. Also offered is the “86 Re:Certification Course”, in which a serviced vehicle is subjected to a final inspection using Toyota’s state-of-the-art testers and test course, followed by the issuing to the customer of a detailed technical record and an “86 Re: Certification” certificate.

This initiative launched at GR Garage Fukuroi (in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan) in October 2022 and is to be available at all GR Garage locations nationwide in Japan by the end of 2023.

The RZ SPORT CONCEPT will be on display offering the unique driving experience of a battery EV combined with the joy of customization, while still contributing to the realization of a carbon neutral society. Based on the first dedicated Lexus battery-electric model “RZ”, this model is equipped with high output 150 kw motors in the front and rear to achieve even more powerful driving performance. The vehicle has been lowered by 35 mm and features custom aero parts, larger diameter tires and full bucket seats in both the front and rear.

Under the supervision of racing driver Masahiro Sasaki, who was involved in the development of the RZ, this model offers improved driving performance and the added joy of customization. The exterior color “HAKUGIN” is based on a pure, clear white base that produces a delicate shining texture when illuminated by light, while the blue accent color evokes the clean and dynamic performance of battery EVs, accentuating the sporty image.

Outdoor concept models (RX / GX / CROWN) and ROV CONCEPT 2

Lexus and Toyota are exhibiting at the Tokyo Outdoor Show for the first time. Toward achieving a carbon-neutral society and based on a desire to deliver outdoor experiences that help people understand, enjoy, and protect nature, Lexus is initiating the “OVERTRAIL PROJECT”^*3, which offers the fun of cars and which provides various experiences. The name “OVERTRAIL” expresses Lexus’ desire to closely respond to a wide range of outdoor lifestyles, from casual outdoor activities such as picnics and camping in neighborhood parks that can be easily enjoyed to off-road activities such as those on mountain trails, snow-covered roads, and in deserts, as well as to full-scale overlanding involving freely traveling in difficult-to-access areas.

At the Tokyo Outdoor Show, Lexus is exhibiting its “RX OUTDOOR CONCEPT”, which is based on the new Lexus RX 450h+ that launched in November 2022 and which features exclusive equipment and gear for the more-comfortable enjoyment of outdoor lifestyles, and its “ROV CONCEPT 2”, which is equipped with ROV^*4 rough-road drivability and a hydrogen engine, combining environmental friendliness and driving fun in which one can feel the pulse of a genuine engine. Both concept models are stylishly color-coordinated in the exclusive exterior color “Regolith”, which combines matte texture, brilliance, and toughness. Also on display is the “GX OUTDOOR CONCEPT”, which is based on the Lexus GX 460 sold in North America and the Middle East that has special equipment and gear that make possible an authentic outdoor experience even in harsh environments.

Meanwhile, Toyota is exhibiting its “CROWN OUTDOOR CONCEPT”, which is based on the Crown Crossover that also launched in the autumn of 2022 and which offers new possibilities for the Crown to capture the imagination of customers through its addition of special parts and features that enhance usability in the great outdoors, such as increased ride height, large diameter all-terrain tires, and a roof carrier.

SDGs goals that this project makes particular contribution to