Toyota Opens Opportunities To Present High Performance SUVs With GR Discourse

LBX Lexus Morizo RR. (Doc. Lexus)

JAKARTA - The global automotive industry is currently flooded with a number of Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) models. Shifting the sedan market in the past, SUVs are considered to have practicality so that they can carry many passengers and goods thanks to a spacious space.

However, the current needs of consumers are very diverse. There are some customers who want practicality but are thirsty for high performance in one vehicle. Thus, Toyota Gazoo Racing (GR) considers presenting a high-performance SUV very important.

Toyota Gazoo Racing President Tomoya Takahashi said that in the end the SUV would be part of the high-performance vehicles in the future, following GR Yaris, GR Corolla, and GR Supra.

"To expand the GR brand, an SUV may also be needed," Takahashi said as quoted by Drive, Wednesday, May 22.

He also considered that some people could only use SUVs because they have families, but still wanted different driving pleasure with GR badges and characteristics.

"In the future, in my personal view, we need a GR SUV," added Takahashi.

Despite the opportunity to present a high-performance SUV, the GR division has limited resources and they need to prioritize projects that have been developed at this time.

Currently, this Japanese manufacturer only offers SUVs with the GR Sport variant and displays only more sporty designs and off-road capabilities, but without improved performance.

In Indonesia, Toyota presents a number of SUVs with GR Sport badges, including Raize, Rush, Corolla Cross, Fortuner, Rush, and RAV4.

From the Lexus brand, the Japanese manufacturer owns Lexus LBX Morizo RR which was launched earlier this year. However, the company is still not confirming whether the SUV will be mass produced or not.

LBX Morizo RR carries the same engine as GR Corolla and GR Yaris, namely G16E-GTS 3-cylinder with the same power increased to 305 dk and 400 Nm torque coupled to direct shift eight automatic acceleration and driving of all wheels (AWD).