Are they sticking GR on all cars now?

grzoostuff

grzoostuff

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So I popped into my local dealer to see if they had a GR86 incoming or even the GR Supra - no sign of any incoming unfortunately.
But looking around every model seemed to be a GR.

There was a C-HR Hybrid Sport - specced up retail to £35k - makes the GR86 look like great value. Couldn't see it would match the fun of the 86 either?

Is this the same way like BMW sticking M Sport badges on everything even though it's not a true M car?
 
Yeah they have been doing it a while, nothing new. It's just as you say, Toyotas equivalent to M sport, S Line, AMG line etc.

From Corolla to Hilux there is a GR Sport version.
 
That's the main business case behind our car, to act as a halo and when your average buyer is buying a woeful SUV, they see the GR pack and want it.

It was even in a slide deck posted elsewhere on this forum.
 
grzoostuff said:
So I popped into my local dealer to see if they had a GR86 incoming or even the GR Supra - no sign of any incoming unfortunately.
But looking around every model seemed to be a GR.

There was a C-HR Hybrid Sport - specced up retail to £35k - makes the GR86 look like great value. Couldn't see it would match the fun of the 86 either?

Is this the same way like BMW sticking M Sport badges on everything even though it's not a true M car?
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I was thinking same thing. Good thing is a M3 is a M3. The GR86 is GR start to finish
 
There is

  • GR [car name] -> sports car (GR86, GR Yaris, GR Supra)
  • [Car name ] GR Sports -> normal car with "sporty" trim (e.g. Corolla GR Sports)
  • [Car name] GRMN -> normal models but completely tuned by GR (e.g. last gen Yaris GRNM)
So GR Sport is just a trim, with optical changes, but without any performance gains. Like Mazdas Sports line, or ford's ST line.
 
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Then there’s the 4th type:
GRMN [Car name]

As in the GRMN Yaris:
global.toyota

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Premieres GRMN Yaris in Japan | Toyota | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) premiered the "GRMN Yaris" at Tokyo Auto Salon 2022 on January 14. Sales of a 500-unit limited edition model are expected to begin at GR Garages nationwide around summer 2022. The GRMN Yaris is a fully tuned model of the GR Yaris that has gone through rigorous...
global.toyota global.toyota
 
grzoostuff said:
So I popped into my local dealer to see if they had a GR86 incoming or even the GR Supra - no sign of any incoming unfortunately.
But looking around every model seemed to be a GR.

There was a C-HR Hybrid Sport - specced up retail to £35k - makes the GR86 look like great value. Couldn't see it would match the fun of the 86 either?

Is this the same way like BMW sticking M Sport badges on everything even though it's not a true M car?
Click to expand...

As others have said it’s all about brand desirability, don’t know much about BMWs but the market for AMG badges on FleaBay must be huge as virtually every Merc has one these days 🤷‍♂️
 
Unfortunately, this kind of branding tactic is used by most car manufacturers these days. It's a whole thing about "brand identity" like how most models have similar recognisable features etc.
VW have R-Line now, Ford has ST-Line, M-Sport....... the list goes on.

They sell a few sportier cars then stick the name on any old shed and it promotes sales.
 
E.g. in case of ford ist makes sense.

I liked the optics of the new fiesta ST, but didnt need 2 cars with 200HP
So getting the ST-Line with 125HP was an option.
 
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ZN8 said:
Yeah they have been doing it a while, nothing new. It's just as you say, Toyotas equivalent to M sport, S Line, AMG line etc.

From Corolla to Hilux there is a GR Sport version.
Click to expand...
And the Yaris - saw a 22 plate GR Sport yesterday.
Did a double take at first - ooh, look at that, oh, wait a minute, no it's not :LOL:
 
Options are allways good.

As long as a GR is a proper GR it's totally fine a trim is called GR sport. It's not the same. No one would give a beep if it's called toyota sport. It's just naming.
 
Kosh said:
E.g. in case of ford ist makes sense.

I liked the optics of the new fiesta ST, but didnt need 2 cars with 200HP
So getting the ST-Line with 125HP was an option.
Click to expand...
No, low power is never an option. 😉 If you can't figure out an excuse to have two performance cars, you're not thinking hard enough. 😁
 
Kosh said:
Tbh, I'm happy to have a 72hp city car, so everytime I use my GT86 is special :)
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Same for me.

Having an everyday car makes the occasional use of the toy more special.

Do we have a thread on what our other car is?

Could be fun.

60bhp Seat Mii here, it's actually fun to drive.

And 29bhp scooter that's even more fun, parks just about anywhere for free, natural air conditioning, if you break down you wouldn't believe the amount of people who stop to help.
 
Yes, I think that for everything. Well at least seen on many even when I played and collected forza horizon 5 rare cars. I was directly inspired by all these cars and even learned a lot about them. Most of all stuck in my head TVR Sagaris and it's not surprising because it is the most balanced model, which the car manufacturer from Blackpool produced before its bankruptcy. It combines lightweight construction and imposing muscular styling with a six-cylinder engine and nothing more.
 
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I don't mind the GR Sport thing. Some of the cars look quite nice and are fit for purpose. I.e. Yaris GR Sport will do 60mpg+ and is probably quite a good daily because of this. Plus it has a much nicer interior than the light grey of the Excel.
 
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