- Gazoo Racing becomes the fifth Toyota brand, joining Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu, and Century.
- The GR GT debuts without Toyota badging, signaling a new brand direction.
- Future performance models will exclusively use GR branding, separating them from mainstream Toyotas.
Toyota is expanding its corporate structure with Gazoo Racing becoming its fifth standalone brand. Following Century’s recent emergence as a distinct marque, GR is now formally separating from Toyota. This move confirms long-standing hints about differentiating Toyota’s performance division.
The division will revert to its original “Gazoo Racing” name (dating back to 2007) and occupy a unique position in Toyota’s brand hierarchy – above the core Toyota brand and Daihatsu, but below Lexus and the luxury-focused Century marque.
The transition was foreshadowed by the Toyota-badgeless GR GT concept. This V8 supercar will be sold exclusively through Lexus dealerships rather than Toyota stores, further emphasizing its premium positioning.
Expanding the GR Lineup
Beyond the flagship GR GT, Gazoo Racing is expected to revive iconic nameplates:
- A reborn MR2 (potentially mid-engine)
- Next-generation Supra (without BMW collaboration)
- Possible Celica revival
- Electrified performance models including the FT-Se concept
GR will maintain its racing roots through continued WRC involvement while developing high-performance road cars. The new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine (400+ horsepower) could power multiple GR models, while the twin-turbo 4.0L V8 remains exclusive to the GR GT.
