Toyota has unveiled a teaser image of the next-generation Camry that oozes mystery and excitement, two adjectives rarely associated with the sensible sedan. The enigmatic single image showcases a car adorned with Prius-style daytime running lights (DRLs), prominent air intakes, and side bumper canards, suggesting the involvement of Toyota’s performance-oriented GR division.
While the Prius-like lights catch the eye, it’s clear that this isn’t a Prius, as the mirrors and the wing-to-fender line are distinct. All signs point to this being a sneak peek at the 2025 Camry, with Toyota choosing to provide a preview in the form of a GR concept. The automaker has shared minimal details, presenting only a single image accompanied by the headline “A New Dawn is Coming” and a teaser question, “Can you guess what’s on the horizon?”
2022 Toyota Camry
As of now, specific technical information about the upcoming Camry remains scarce. It’s reported to be built on an evolved TNGA-K platform, and while no powertrain details have been disclosed, it’s anticipated that a range of internal combustion engines and hybrid options will continue to be available.
Given that this is our first glimpse, there’s no insight into the car’s interior. However, Toyota’s recent models, including the Prius and Crown, feature a large portrait-oriented infotainment screen atop the centre stack. The Camry has a strong track record of offering advanced safety technology, and it’s likely this trend will persist in the new iteration.
The teaser image raises questions and anticipation, leaving enthusiasts and Toyota aficionados eagerly awaiting more information about this bold and enigmatic next-generation Camry.
Toyota is set to elevate the iconic Toyota Hilux to new heights with the introduction of the Hilux GR Sport II model, blending superior performance, exceptional ride comfort, and a bold design. Embodying its legacy as a multi-time Dakar Rally winner, this new flagship in the pickup range is expected to maintain the Hilux’s unmatched reputation for durability and reliability since its debut in 1968. The market debut for this highly anticipated version is anticipated in the latter half of 2024.
The Hilux GR Sport II, a double cab model, boasts a best-in-class towing capacity at 3,500kg and a payload capacity of 1,000kg. Sporting an assertive evolution of the existing model’s styling, it commands attention wherever it goes. The widened track, 140mm at the front and 155mm at the rear compared to the standard Hilux ensures a confident and steady ride, regardless of the road conditions or weather.
Improvements in handling characteristics, including reduced roll angle and more precise steering response, make this the best-driving Hilux to date both on and off-road. The proven and powerful 2.8-litre engine, integrated since 2020, continues to deliver with 201bhp and 500Nm, coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission.
In terms of exterior design, the Hilux GR Sport II adopts a striking and dynamic appearance, amplified by the integration of red coil springs, coloured dampers (black at the front, red at the rear), and 17-inch black alloy wheels with contrasting red brake callipers. The interior complements the bold design with a stylish black monochrome theme accented by red details, providing a sporty and comfortable atmosphere.
The cabin’s elegant black and red details in a monotone design compliment the robust exterior. Aluminium pedals, red seatbelts, and paddle shifters all allude to the GR Sport’s motorsport heritage.
The sports seats include silver stitching and perforations on black synthetic suede and leather upholstery. Their layout and quality offer support, comfort, and good body-grab performance when exposed to strong lateral pressures in challenging driving situations. The instrumentation and information display also include the GR emblem, and the door trims have a fresh design.
Moreover, technical enhancements such as improved approach angles, higher ground clearance, and superior aerodynamic performance further bolster the Hilux GR Sport II’s reputation as a ‘go-anywhere’ vehicle. The introduction of this new Hilux model is highly anticipated, and it is expected to resonate with Toyota enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike, promising a remarkable driving experience both on and off the road.
‘GAZOO’ has been in international motorsports news for a number of years and in more recent years, it has also gained increasing presence in Malaysia. In the context of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, ‘GAZOO’ means ‘garage’ but this was not how it started.
Back in early 2000, Akio Toyoda (current President of Toyota Motor Corporation) was back in Japan to join the Board of Directors after having served in various roles at different Toyota subsidiaries around the world. Among his responsibilities was the creation and supervision of a website that was given the name ‘GAZOO.com’ and the name was derived from the Japanese word ‘gazo’ which means ‘image’ or ‘photo’.
GAZOO.com, which still exists today, is a website gathering images of the vehicles in stock at each of the dealerships. It also contains dozens of virtual shops for consumer goods and services and provides information about new and used vehicles. This is, of course, a common thing today but 20 years ago, the internet was still in its infancy so it was quite a revolutionary idea.
The Gazoo.com website goes back some 20 years and though its content looks common these days, it was revolutionary when it started.
The first use of GAZOO in racing
In 2007, a team of Toyota test drivers, including Akio, were to participate in the Nurburgring 24-Hour race. For various reasons, they were not allowed to refer to their team as ‘Works Toyota Racing’ and perhaps because Akio was in charge of GAZOO.com, he suggested and could authorize the use of the name to be used by the team. That would probably be the first time the GAZOO name appeared in motorsports.
From then on, GAZOO Racing began to develop and its racing activities increased. The team was like an unofficial affiliate of Toyota and usually ran development models like the FT-86 and LF-A to carry out testing in extreme conditions.
Akio Toyoda is one of the very few car company Presidents who races and he also personally gets involved in testing and development of new models.
After Akio became President in 2009, GAZOO Racing began to expand as it was given new roles related to motorsports. Being a racing driver and car enthusiast, Akio wanted to generate more excitement for the sport among the young and GAZOO Racing was to expand the role of promoting motorsports beyond that of traditional automakers. Its mission would also be to carry out grassroots activities aimed at creating new generations of car enthusiasts.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has been active and successful in the World Endurance Championship, World Rally Championship and also the Dakar Rally.
The GAZOO Racing Company is born
Until 2015, Toyota had different racing organizations and a decision was made to unify them under the GAZOO Racing banner, with brand differentiation as TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and LEXUS GAZOO Racing. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, which was in charge of vehicle development for motorsports activities, was renamed GAZOO Racing Company in 2017 during the restructuring of Toyota Motor Corporation.
The newly created GAZOO Racing Company was thus a more business-focussed unit and would start to develop GAZOO Racing or ‘GR’ as a performance brand like AMG for Mercedes-Benz and M for BMW. It would be independent in one sense but also an important contributor to Toyota’s R&D with experience and information gained from motorsports activities.
GR Garage
As part of its business activities, the GAZOO Racing Company established the GR Garage, a new dealership channel which would not only sell performance parts and high-performance models such as the GR Supra and GR Yaris but also be ‘the most fun car shop in town where enthusiasts can gather, talk, and enjoy cars together’. It was another approach to creating greater interest in motorsports and motoring in general that Akio was trying to generate.
The GR Garage concept was introduced in Japan and dealerships opened in many cities. As GR models start to be offered in many countries, the GR Garage concept is also following and the first country outside Japan to introduce it was Malaysia at the end of 2019 when the GR Supra was launched in the market. Selected authorized Toyota dealerships (5 at this time) have incorporated the GR Garage concept on their premises and specialize in GR products.
GAZOO Racing comes to Malaysia
Malaysia is in fact one of the first countries to have a strong GAZOO Racing presence which began about 3 years ago. Before then, in Thailand and the Philippines, TRD (Toyota Racing Development – an in-house division specializing in performance products) was prominent in motorsports but not in Malaysia. So when GAZOO Racing Company stepped up its activities, it was also timely for the Malaysian market to instead use the GR platform.
The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival began in 2017 and had a carnival-like atmosphere with motor and motorsports-related activities, including the Vios Challenge one-make series.
The first activity in Malaysia was the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival (TGR Festival) held in 2017, replicating an annual event in Japan which was created by the GAZOO Racing Company in its initial years. The TGR Festival has a carnival-like atmosphere with a motorsports and auto-related theme. The highlight of the TGR Festival has been the Vios Challenge, a one-make series run on specially-prepared street circuits in Penang, Terengganu, Johor and Kuala Lumpur/Selangor, as well as the Sepang International Circuit. This successful series has completed three seasons and enters its fourth one in 2021.
Additionally, UMW Toyota Motor also got involved in digital motorsports or eSports with the Toyota GR Velocity eSports Championship series which began in 2018. This Malaysian event inspired the running of the GR Supra GT Cup ASIA2020 as the first virtual motorsport racing championship in Asia. The regional event, held in October this year, saw the best sim racers from 5 countries – Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and India – competing against each other.
The GR range in Malaysia started with the GR Supra and this month, the GR Yaris and Vios GR-Sport have been added.
The GR cars
And, of course, there are the products – the GR Supra, GR Yaris and the Vios GR-Sport (presently only available in Malaysia). These models bring to the Toyota brand a sporty and livelier image that supports the promise of ‘fun-to-drive’. They can help diminish the perception of Toyotas being reliable and durable but lacking the performance sparkle. It’s not that Toyota has never produced performance models, but most have never reached our market due to high import taxes making their prices unappealing. But times have changed and with the GR models, the brand now has a side that can appeal to the younger and future generation of customers.
