Month: October 2019

• The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) World Rally Team’s Ott Tänak has secured Toyota’s first drivers’ championship title in 25 years
• Tänak only the third different driver to claim the WRC drivers’ crown since 2004
• Toyota in contention to take manufacturers’ WRC title at final round at Rally Australia

With only weeks to go before the highly anticipated Rally Australia, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team driver Ott Tänak and co-driver Martin Järveoja have secured their first FIA World Rally Championship drivers’ and co-drivers’ titles after a superb outing at Rally de España over the weekend.

Tänak and Järveoja finished in second place in Spain after scoring four consecutive stage wins on Saturday before blasting through a sensational final Power Stage on Sunday that saw the pair finish 3.6 seconds ahead of the next car to take the full five bonus points.

Tänak is only the third different driver to claim the WRC drivers’ crown since 2004, while he and Järveoja are the first Estonians to ever achieve the feat. It is the fifth occasion that a Toyota driver has won the WRC drivers’ title, and the first time since Didier Auriol triumphed in 1994.

Having won six of the 12 rallies so far, Tänak arrived at the penultimate round of the season with a 28-point advantage in the championship.

Speaking after the event, Tänak said the massive pressure was a challenge to overcome but holding the trophy at the end of the race was a dream come true.

“I pushed hard and in the end it paid off. I’ve had to overcome a lot in my career, so it’s nice to finally achieve this,” Tänak said. “Thank you to the team; they have done a great job,” he said.

The second TGR Yaris WRC of Jari-Matti Latvala and co-driver Miikka Anttila finished in fifth place in Spain ensuring Toyota remains in contention to take out the prized WRC manufacturers’ championship for the second year running.

Now only 18 points behind the leader, TGR needs a strong finish at the final round at Rally Australia next month to secure the championship.

TGR team principal Tommi Mäkinen said the win represented an historic achievement for the entire team and demonstrated the continuous teamwork throughout the whole season to reach this target.

“There has been a lot of pressure this weekend but what Ott did on the Power Stage, to do what he needed to get the title, was absolutely amazing,” Mäkinen said. “We have a new world champion and the second place helps us in the manufacturers’ championship as well. We will still have a chance in Australia, and we will do our maximum there,” he said.

Rally Australia is centred around Coffs Harbour on the NSW coast with plenty of challenging stages through tight forest tracks and gravel roads combined with fast and flowing sections across open countryside, providing plenty of world-class rally action.

A Message from Akio Toyoda on the team’s success:

“Dear Ott, Martin, all our friends and supporters in Estonia, and President Kaljulaid, congratulations for the first World Rally Championship titles for Drivers and Co-Drivers by Estonians! Last year in Rally Finland, I saw so many Estonian fans waving Estonian flags to cheer on Ott and Martin.

They said the flags were not a weight on their shoulders. Instead, they felt the strong support from all the fans to achieve their best. I’m glad that our Yaris WRC competed with such a strong wave of support from our Estonian friends and supporters, and we rode the wave to the championship title!

Ott and Martin, I want to celebrate together with you guys on the podium for the World Rally Championship for Manufacturers in three weeks and thank all the strong Estonian support over the years!

We must win in Australia! Let’s do it together!”

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing confirmed today that it will start the sales of GR Supra GT4*1, a race car for customer teams, starting from March 2020 to Europe. The sales area will expand to North America in August, and to Japan/Asia in October. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing intends to strengthen its focus on customer motorsport*2 in order to enable motorsport-lovers around the world to participate in races.

The GR Supra GT4 is based on the GR Supra – TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s first-ever global model released earlier this year – and is developed and produced by TOYOTA Motorsport GmbH (“TMG”).

A three-litre in-line six cylinder engine with single twin-scroll turbocharger has been tuned to 320 kW*3 (430 hp) with a 7-speed sports automatic transmission with paddle shift and the mechanical limited slip differential driving the rear wheels. An Akrapovič exhaust system will be fitted and Ravenol will provide first-fill lubricants.

The front splitter and rear wing are made of natural fiber composite, contributing to an overall weight of 1,350 kg*3. Following the specification of the GR Supra road car, the front suspension will be MacPherson strut, and rear suspension will be multilink with KW dampers at the front and rear.

The braking system is enhanced through the use of a dedicated brake calliper for racing, six-piston front and four-piston rear, while running on Pirelli tires.

Safety will be a priority and the GR Supra GT4 will be installed with a high-strength roll cage on the lightweight steel body, and an FIA-standard racing seat with six-point harness. The interior will feature a carbon fiber instrument panel with a display and steering wheel specifically designed for GT4 competition.

The contact company for each region of the GT4 vehicle sales and customer support (including sales for spare parts and engineer support) will be the following; TMG for Europe, TRD U.S.A., INC. for North America, and TOYOTA CUSTOMIZING & DEVELOPMENT Co., Ltd. for Japan/Asia. Please contact the listed company for how to apply for purchase. The planned car price is €175,000 (excluding tax, custom fee, logistic fee, etc.).

*1 GT4 vehicles are sold to race participants and cannot be driven on public roads.

*2 Private customer teams purchase race cars from manufacturers that are modified versions of production vehicles and enter them into races.

*3 Subject to change depending on the SRO BOP (Balance of Performance).

*Late 2020 target for release in Japan*

*Mobility solution that limits environmental impact*

*New business model to popularise battery-electric vehicles*

Toyota has revealed details of a new, production-ready ultra-compact battery-electric vehicle (BEV) ahead of a planned commercial launch in Japan late next year. Development chief Akihiro Yanaka said the vehicle, which is less than 2.5 metres long and 1.3 metres wide, is a next-generation mobility solution designed to cover short distances while limiting impact on the environment.

“We want to create a mobility solution that can support Japan’s ageing society and provide freedom of movement to people at all stages of life,” Mr Yanaka said. “With the ultra-compact BEV, we are proud to offer customers a vehicle that not only allows for greater autonomy, but also requires less space, creates less noise and limits environmental impact.”

The ultra-compact, two-seater is specifically designed to meet the daily mobility needs of customers who make regular, short-distance trips such as the elderly, newly licenced drivers or business people visiting local customers.

It has a range of approximately 100km on a single charge, reaches a maximum speed of 60km/h, and features an extremely tight turning radius.

Toyota is also pairing its planned launch next year with a new business model that aims to promote the wider adoption of battery electric vehicles in general. This includes examining every step of the battery’s life, from manufacture through sale, resale or re-use, and recycling to maximise its value.

In the near term, Toyota will focus on expanded leasing initiatives designed to recapture used batteries for evaluation and re-use as appropriate in pre-owned vehicles, as service parts, or even in non-automobile applications.

Toyota is also developing peripheral services for battery electric vehicles such as recharging stations and insurance.

The vehicle will be displayed at this month’s Tokyo Motor Show along with the Toyota i-ROAD and three different “walking area” BEVs that will be available for test rides on a 1.5km path.

Toyota’s BEVs: Types & Main Features

• Ultra-compact BEV Concept Model for Business is designed for business applications that include repeated short-distance trips and parking, this model serves as a “mobile office” with three modes to support travelling, working and taking breaks.

• Walking Area BEV Standing Type can be used for patrolling, conducting security checks or carrying heavy equipment around large facilities such as airports or factories.

• Walking Area BEV Seated Type provides mobility for people who are handling large amounts of luggage, or who may have difficulty walking.

• Walking Area BEV Wheelchair-linked Type connects to manual wheelchairs by providing motorized power to them for use at large facilities and tourist locations.

• Toyota i-ROAD is a short-distance mobility solution that combines the size of a motorcycle with improved stability to support last-km urban commuting or tourism.

Specifications (based on Toyota measurements)* – See document attached.

*Tokyo motor show display presents a vision for a mobility society*

*A future of “real-world” cars plus a virtual world of cutting-edge technology*

*AI, robotics, automation, connectivity, sharing – and broomsticks*

Hitch up your britches and climb aboard: Toyota is creating serious – and seriously fun – mobile solutions for the future that may even include riding on a broomstick!

The global carmaker has turned science fiction into fact at this week’s Tokyo motor show with a “future shock” display of next-generation vehicles and mobility devices equipped with cutting-edge technologies.

The avant-garde display confirms Toyota’s plans to expand its impressive track record of producing cars, SUVs and ‘bakkies’ while also blazing ahead in a virtual world of artificial intelligence, robotics, electrification, automation, connectivity and sharing.

“Real-world” unveilings at its “home” motor show feature an all-new Yaris hatch including hybrid-electric power and the second-generation of Toyota’s innovative Mirai concept – an electric fuel-cell sedan powered by hydrogen.

Toyota has also revealed an Ultra-compact BEV (battery-electric vehicle) that will be launched in Japan late next year as well as the electrified, autonomous LQ concept car that wants to bond with its owner.

Looking even deeper into the future, Toyota has confirmed that technological innovation is advancing rapidly by making a foray into delivery robots, ride-sharing vehicles and other devices that rely on the most advanced computer software.

Ready to shake your hand in Tokyo is the T-HR3 humanoid robot, operated by remote control. It will eventually be used to help improve the lives of patients or other people with limited mobility.

Toyota’s human support robot (HSR) can recognise its surroundings and travel autonomously or by remote control, utilising its omni-directional wheels. Adept at recognising, grasping and carrying objects, the HSR will also feature at next year’s Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, guiding guests to their seat and bringing them light meals – leaving them free to enjoy the competition.

A raft of other innovative Toyota vehicles designed to provide ride-sharing and other services are also featured in Tokyo:

• Toyota e-4me: autonomous vehicles that allow a single occupant to travel while enjoying hobbies and pastimes, such as a gym workout.

• Toyota e-Palette: it looks like a transport van, but its size and electric, self-driving ability enables it to bring stores and services directly to customers.

• Toyota Micro Palette: it will treat you like a friend and bring you water if you’re thirsty.

• Toyota e-Racer: a sports car of the future with a virtual tailor that creates bespoke racing suits.

• Toyota e-Chargeair: equipped with a wireless battery charger, it can charge other electric vehicles while travelling and incorporates an air purifier as well as the ability to feed excess power into the grid.

• Toyota e-Care: a vehicle that enables you to undergo a medical exam on your way to hospital.

• Toyota e-Trans: for moving people and goods.

In keeping with its show theme, Toyota has employed “people of the future” to guide show patrons around its theme park of tomorrow.

Finally, for those with a real hankering to be swept up in the mobility of the future, there’s the tantalising possibility of hitching a ride on the Toyota e-broom.

Bristling with technology, the e-broom is modelled on “a broom used by a witch to fly through the air”, bringing people and machines together and showing that future mobility is fun.

After all the fun of Toyota’s futuristic motor show displays, the e-broom might be just the device you need to return to Oz.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing today announced an all-star line-up for the Dakar Rally scheduled to take place for the first time in Saudi Arabia in January 2020. The works team features four crews consisting of Nasser Al-Attiyah and navigator Mathieu Baumel; Giniel de Villiers and navigator Alex Haro; Bernhard Ten Brinke and navigator Tom Colsoul; and Fernando Alonso and navigator Marc Coma.

The team has been competing at the Dakar Rally since 2012 and, as TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa, achieved Toyota’s first overall victory earlier this year with Nasser and Mathieu. Since its first Dakar Rally entry, the team recorded best overall results of 3rd (2012), 2nd (2013), 4th (2014), 2nd (2015), 3rd (2016), 5th (2017) and 2nd (2018).

For the upcoming edition of the legendary rally, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will field a mix of experienced rally-raid specialists, together with relative newcomers to the discipline. Nasser and Mathieu will be looking to defend their Dakar Rally title to add to their impressive list of achievements, including multiple FIA World Cups for Cross Country Rallies and Dakar Rally victories. Giniel is another experienced campaigner with the 2009 Dakar Rally victory to his name and four Rally of Morocco crowns, the latest coming earlier this month with his new navigator Alex. Bernhard, also a former winner in Morocco, is reunited with Tom, who hails from a rally dynasty and has been competing across different rally disciplines over the years with multiple successes in the truck category.

Fernando, two-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner, reigning FIA World Endurance Championship title holder with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, two-time Formula 1 World Champion, and winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona, will drive TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s fourth entry in the 2020 Dakar Rally, part of his ambition to try different motorsport disciplines and become an even more complete racing driver. Sitting alongside him in the navigator seat is Marc, another Spanish motorsport legend with six FIM Cross Country World Championships and five Dakar Rally victories in the bike category under his belt. The Spanish super-duo, both transitioning into different forms of motorsport, have been hard at work since August, training in some of the harshest conditions and terrains throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East. So far, Fernando and Marc have more than doubled their planned training mileage, an unmistakeable signal of the duo’s determination to conquer one of motorsport’s most rigorous events.

All four crews will compete in the latest version of the rally raid-proven Toyota Hilux, built and developed in South Africa. The 2018 Dakar Rally saw the introduction of an all-new Hilux which was described by Glyn Hall, Team Principal, as a technological leap forward and proved itself from the get-go with a second and third place on its Dakar Rally debut before winning the event outright a year later. Following TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s philosophy of “making ever-better cars”, the team has continued to refine the Hilux and the latest iteration will spearhead the team’s Dakar Rally campaign. The Hilux features independent suspensions, mid-ship engine and all-wheel drive, with the 5-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine sitting just behind the front wheels, between and slightly below the crew.

The 2020 Dakar Rally will be contested solely in Saudi Arabia, with the rally starting on January 5, 2020 in the western city of Jeddah. The route will head north, before turning south-east to the capital city of Riyadh where crews will enjoy the traditional event rest day. The second half of the 2020 Dakar Rally traverses through Rub’ al Khali, also known as the “Empty Quarter”, the world’s largest continuous sand desert, before finishing in the city of Al-Qiddiya on January 17.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing official website: http://toyotagazooracing.com/

Issued by Toyota South Africa on behalf of Toyota Gazoo Racing.

Ten Million Icons

In September 2019, Toyota Motor Corporation announced that cumulative global sales of its Land Cruiser series had surpassed 10 million units (a number achieved on 31 August 2019 according to their records).

Tracing a lineage back to 1951, the Land Cruiser has been produced in multiple variants – derived from the original formula is its paramount reliability, durability and unquestionable off-road prowess.

The rugged construction and Toyota’s commitment to QDR has produced a vehicle that has empowered customers around the world to conquer any terrain that presents itself. Land Cruisers can be found in the harshest conditions, at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, serving as transport vessels for supplies in the mines of Australia, and assisting in harvesting food supplies on the steep slopes of Costa Rica.

The Range

The Land Cruiser range consists of three distinct family groups – the 70-series, the Land Cruiser Prado and Land Cruiser 200. Whilst the packaging, usage and target market of each are slightly different, they all share the ‘unbreakable’ DNA developed by their forefathers.

LC 70 – Offered in both Single and Double-cab variants with a choice of 4.0-litre petrol, 4.2-litre turbodiesel straight six or 4.5-litre V8 turbodiesel engines.

FJ Cruiser – A modern-day tribute to the historical FJ40-series model, with distinctive styling and 4.0-litre V6 power.

Prado – The medium-sized Land Cruiser SUV, offering 7-seat capacity, comfort, luxury and a choice of 3.0-litre turbodiesel or 4.0-litre V6 petrol engines (all mated to heavy duty automatic transmission). Offered in three grades (TX, VX and VX-L)

200-series – The flagship of the Land Cruiser range, the ultimate overlanding vehicle, with space, luxury and high-tech driver-support technologies to take you anywhere. Available in both utility-focused GX and opulent VX-R grades.

Local Success

On the local front the Land Cruiser range has proven extremely popular with South African motorists – perfectly suiting the varied terrain, outdoor lifestyle and remote settings our country offers. The Land Cruiser 200 is the segment leader in the full-size SUV category, with a 33% share and average monthly volume of 93 units.

The Land Cruiser Prado remains a firm favourite in the large SUV segment with around 87 units finding new homes every month and occupying the no. 2 position with a 15% share.  A total of 3684 Land Cruisers (70-series, Prado and 200-series) have been sold on local soil YTD September 2019.

The Namib Special Edition

Based on the LC 79 Double-cab V8 model – the special edition Namib presents a turn-key package for serious off-road enthusiasts. Outfitted with an array of utility-enhancing accessories which includes: a steel front bumper with integrated heavy-duty nudge bar and headlight protectors, tubular rear step with integrated towbar, protective loadbin skins, distinctive front grille, heavy-duty interior seat covers and roof console.

The ride and handling has been upgraded by means of Old Man Emu suspension components, and larger 265/75/R16 Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx tyres.

An Historic Achievement

In celebration of both the 10-million milestone and the locally produced Namib special edition, a South African media contingent embarked on an adventure to the northern most point of the Namib desert – to a town aptly named Namibe in southern Angola.

Conquering the infamous ‘Doodsakker’ coastal track (which is only accessible during spring tide) the group made its way across the Atlantic Ocean to the abandoned ‘ghost-town’ island of Baia dos Tigres. Previously a peninsula off the Angolan coast, it was separated from the mainland in 1962 by a storm – rendering ’Tigres an island. After the fresh-water feed project was abandoned, Dos Tigres became a ghost town.

Employing a specially constructed raft, an Ivory White Land Cruiser 79 Namib was transported onto the island – making it the first vehicle on the island since 1974 – further establishing Land Cruiser as the Master of Africa.

Model line-up and Pricing

79 PICK UP (S/C)

Land Cruiser 79 P/U 4.0                                  – R 582 000

Land Cruiser 79 P/U 4.2D                                – R 618 900

Land Cruiser 79 4.5 V8 D SC                           – R 707 800

79 PICK UP (D/C)

Land Cruiser 79 4.0 D/C                                  – R 660 800

Land Cruiser 79 4.2D D/C                               – R 692 300

Land Cruiser 79 4.5 V8 D D/C                         – R 776 300

79 NAMIB

Land Cruiser 79 4.5D V8 D/C Namib               – R 893 600

76 SW

Land Cruiser 76 4.5 Diesel V8                        – R 786 900

Land Cruiser Prado

Land Cruiser Prado 3.0D TX 5AT                   – R 875 500

Land Cruiser Prado 4.0 VX 6AT                     – R 990 200

Land Cruiser Prado 3.0D VX 5AT                  – R 992 100

Land Cruiser Prado 4.0 VX-L 6AT                  – R 1 029 700

Land Cruiser Prado 3.0D VX-L 5AT               – R 1 031 500

Land Cruiser 200

Land Cruiser 200 4.5D V8 GX-R 6AT             – R 1 064 900

Land Cruiser 200 4.5D V8 VX-R Black 6AT   – R 1 463 500

Land Cruiser 200 4.5D V8 VX-R Beige 6AT   – R 1 463 500

The Toyota Avanza has been truly embraced by the South African public since the first generation was introduced in 2010. The current model achieves an Average Monthly Volume of around 440 units – making it a formidable player in both the MPV segment and Toyota’s passenger-car line-up.

The Avanza’s combination of 7-seater capacity, high ground clearance, easy-to-maintain mechanical components and affordability, have appealed to a wide range of both private and business users. For 2019, the flagship TX model has received some notable aesthetic and quality upgrades, whilst keeping in-tune with core customer requirements. (Mechanical specifications remain unchanged.)

Exterior Design

The range topping TX-grade, is furnished with revised front and rear bumper designs, new split-level LED-headlamps with vertically-arranged airdams and fog lamp garnish. A stylish body-coloured accent strip divides the headlamps and creates a border between the chrome upper and black lower-grille sections. More aerodynamically-shaped exterior mirrors, shark-fin antenna and turbine-shaped 15” alloy wheels further complement the styling changes.

Moving to the rear, a new rear boot spoiler, revised taillamps (with clear elements) and chrome accent strip help the new TX model stand out. A new deep blue exterior colour, Fervent Blue, has been added to the colour palette – with Tusk white, Quicksilver metallic, Graphite Grey and Gold Leaf metallic remaining.

The S and SX grades retain their current exterior design and packaging.

Interior Tweaks

All new Avanza models receive a change from rotary-dial-type HVAC controls to push-button control with digital readout. In line with customer requests the interior trim has been changed from light grey to dark grey. Front and rear 12-volt accessory connectors have been fitted as standard.

Model Line-up & Pricing

Avanza 1.3 S 5MT                              – R 238,300

Avanza 1.3 SX 5MT                            – R 256,200

Avanza 1.5 SX 5MT                            – R 263,900

Avanza 1.5 SX 4AT                            – R 283,800

Avanza 1.5 TX 5MT                            – R 307,500

Avanza 1.3 S Panel Van 5MT            – R 244,000

Warranty & Service

All Avanza models are sold with a 4-services/60 000 km service plan (12-months/15 000 km intervals). A 3-years/100 000 km Warranty is also included.