Toyota Unveils New 8-Speed Automatic Transmission for GR Yaris
In an exciting development, Toyota has introduced a new 8-speed automatic transmission for the GR Yaris model. This state-of-the-art transmission will be showcased at the upcoming Super Taikyu Round 5 Motegi event, which is scheduled for September 2nd and 3rd at the Mobility Resort Motegi.
At the practice run before the event, participating teams, including the ORC ROOKIE GR Yaris DAT concept, were able to experience the performance of this newly equipped vehicle. The GR Yaris DAT Concept is a modified version of the GR Yaris, specially designed for the GAZOO TOYOTA Racing Rally Challenge and the All Japan Rally. It boasts a powerful 200kW (272PS) 1.6L DOHC direct injection turbo engine, capable of delivering a maximum torque of 370Nm (37.7kgfm).
Chairman Akio Toyoda, also known as Morizo, personally participated in the practice run alongside professional driver Masahiro Sasaki, coach and driver Hiroaki Ishiura, and Naohiko Saito, all of whom were involved in the development process. It was a momentous occasion as they tested the GR Yaris DAT Concept and held discussions on improving its performance.
The highlight of this new development is the 8-speed AT transmission, which is designed to be faster than a manual transmission. The goal is to enhance the vehicle’s agility and responsiveness on the rally field. The new transmission will make its debut in the 5-hour endurance race.
During Morizo’s practice run, he mentioned that his time was comparable to that of the MT (manual transmission) version. However, professional driver Masahiro Sasaki’s shift speed in the MT version was reportedly excellent, with a slight difference of about 0.5 seconds in a straight line between Morizo and Hiroaki Ishiura. This showcases the potential of the GR Yaris DAT Concept to minimize the performance gap between manual and automatic transmissions.
Morizo expressed satisfaction with the test results, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and enhancing the performance of Toyota cars through motorsports. The development team, led by Vice Chairman Shigeru Hayakawa and President Yasuhiro Ogura, remains committed to refining and commercializing the GR Yaris DAT Concept.
Commercialization plans for the GR Yaris DAT Concept will be determined by Toyota’s current executive team. Morizo believes that this new model will revolutionize the world of automatic transmissions and make motorsports more accessible to a wider audience. Additionally, the development team is actively working on addressing the heat-related challenges encountered during circuit races.
With Morizo and Vice Chairman Hayakawa’s parallel involvement in the development of the GR Yaris DAT Concept, it is evident that Toyota is fully dedicated to pushing the boundaries of automotive innovation.
Key Highlights:
- New 8-speed AT transmission introduced for the GR Yaris
- GR Yaris DAT Concept developed for GAZOO TOYOTA Racing Rally Challenge and All Japan Rally
- Maximum output of 200kW and maximum torque of 370Nm
- Chairman Akio Toyoda actively involved in practice run and development discussions
- 8-speed AT transmission designed to be faster than a manual transmission
- Focus on commercialization plans to make motorsports more accessible
Public development GR Yaris equipped with a new 8-speed AT in Super Taikyu
Super Taikyu Round 5 Motegi will be held over two days between September 2 and 3 at Mobility Resort Motegi. On the 1st of the day before the event, the participating teams started running practice. ORC ROOKIE GR Yaris DAT concept (MORIZO/Masahiro Sasaki/Hiroaki Ishiura/Yasuhiro Ogura), No. 32 ORC ROOKIE GR Yaris DAT concept (MORIZO/Masahiro Sasaki/Hiroaki Ishiura/Yasuhiro Ogura), which will be developed openly for the ST-Q class.
The No. 32 GR Yaris DAT Concept is a GR Yaris with a new 8-speed AT that Toyota is developing for the GAZOO TOYOTA Racing Rally Challenge and the All Japan Rally. Maximum output 200kW (272PS), 370Nm (37.7kgfm) maximum torque of 370Nm (37.7kgfm) inline 3-cylinder 1.6L DOHC direct injection turbo engine G16E-GTS type engine that can sport and enjoy the powerful power and torque with 2 pedals It will be a car under development.
Mr Akio Toyoda, also known as Morizo, who faces the fu. Meeting with Sasaki who ran just before
The 8-speed AT is a so-called AT step, which has a torque converter and has an 8-speed planetary gear transmission. The development concept is “AT that is faster than MT”, and it is trained to perform a quick and appropriate movement in the rally field. The new AT 8-speed will appear in the 5-hour endurance race.
Chairman Akio Toyoda, also known as Morizo, also took part in the practice run. I was working on a practice run while having various meetings with professional driver Masahiro Sasaki, coach and driver Hiroaki Ishiura, and Naohiko Saito, who were involved in the development.
Meeting with Manager Ishiura (centre right) before the run
When I asked Morizo about his impressions after the run, he said that there were people who had already been watching the time since he ran yesterday, and that the good time was the same as the MT. According to Director Hiroaki Ishiura, when running the same GR Yaris MT, Masahiro Sasaki’s shift speed is excellent, and there is a difference of about 0.5 seconds between Mr. Morizo and I (Ishiura) in a straight line. About.
Although Mr Ishiura also races on MT racing machines, he says he cannot compete with Mr Sasaki, who is active in one-make races, because he moves with oars. The GR Yaris DAT concept can reduce the shift speed difference in that straight line, and he said he can enjoy motor sports with 2 pedals.
It seems that Mr. Morizo also got a good response, saying, “Look at the time, look at the time.” The purpose of participating in the 5 hour race in the middle of summer is of course to improve the car, and I will participate in what Akio Toyoda always says, “Making cars ever better with motor sports like starting point.”
Mr. Morizo (left) and Mr. Naohiko Saito (right) discusses something
The first development driver of this GR Yaris DAT Concept was Mr. Shigeru Hayakawa, vice chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, who represented the amateur rally drivers in the challenger rally He will be coached in the circuit by Yasuhiro Ogura, a player and president of Ogura Clutch.
By the way, Mr. Morizo gave a greeting at the morning service as a candidate, the owner of Rookie Racing. As for the concept battle No. 32 GR Yaris DAT, although there is no clutch, President Ogura emphasizes that it drives and AT. “Someone is writing here,” said Morizo, who made eye contact with me, so I’ll write it down here.
As for commercialization, it is “to be decided by the current operating team.”
Morizo heading for a practice run. Vice Chairman Shigeru Hayakawa, the first development driver of the GR Yaris DAT Concept, can also be seen in the background.
The GR Yaris DAT concept has expanded into amateur rally fields, all-Japan rally fields, and circuit fields. As we are going to develop it in such a place, it must be natural that we aim for commercialisation.
When I asked Morizo directly about commercialization, he said, “I’m a top driver who makes good cars. Please ask the current executive team. That’s up to the current executive team. “
And what he strongly said was “GR Yaris will be a game changer for AT cars”. It is said that many people will be able to participate in motor sports more easily by being able to enjoy a powerful sports engine with two pedals and a limited AT license. For Morizo, who always hopes that more car fans will grow as the motorsport population increases, the AT version of the GR Yaris will be a long-awaited car.
When I asked Mr Naohiko Saito, who is involved in the development, about the current problem, he said that the problem is heat. The circuit field has a higher grip than the rally field, so it is important to take countermeasures against heat in the transmission. The GR Yaris has developed heat countermeasures in the rally field, but the GR Yaris DAT concept for the circuit has a large air outlet just behind the front tire housings, and you can see that heat is being released.
You can see that the air outlet etc is strengthened compared to the Larichare spec
Preventing heat generation, reducing internal resistance, increasing the amount of oil, expanding the oil cooler, etc. are standard methods, but it is not so easy, and the increase in weight will reduce the fighting power and increase the cost . also related, it is important to decide which area is the best balance. The GR Yaris DAT Concept will continue to be developed through motorsport.
By the way, Vice Chairman Shigeru Hayakawa, the first development driver, visited Mobility Resort Motegi on the 1st to support Morizo, but from September 2 to 3, Rarichare 2019 will be held with Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture as the main participating location in Round 7 Karatsu. The participating car is the No. 104 TGR-WRG GR Yaris 889 (Shigeru Hayakawa / Norihiko Katsuta), a GR Yaris DAT concept for Larichale. In other words, the development of the GR Yaris with the new AT 8-speed will be going on simultaneously in Tochigi Prefecture and Saga Prefecture this weekend by the chairman and vice chairman. Thinking about it again, it’s a great story.
The WEC (World Endurance Championship) team came to support Super Taikyu. From left, TGR-E Vice Chairman Kazuki Nakajima, Ryo Hirakawa, Kamui Kobayashi, team representative and player. A wonderful list of three Le Mans winners and world champions. Three people who continue to make history for Toyota, and who will challenge the Fuji 6 hour race next week
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