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The incoming Toyota Supra GR will be the first of several new performance-focused variants to land in Australia, with go-fast versions of the brand's wider lineup expected to begin arriving as early as 2020.
It is understood the sprinkling of more performance across its range is a key priority for Toyota, with the brand pointing to the Yaris GRMN as a "taste" of the vehicles that will come to Australia following the Supra's arrival in September.
That car, which is currently only available overseas, takes Toyota's tiniest vehicle and pumps up the performance, thanks to a 1.8-litre supercharged engine which ups the outputs to 156kW and 250Nm.
And with an all-new Yaris due to be unveiled soon - and with what looks like a GRMN version of that car already been spied testing - it appears it's a chance to lead Toyota's new performance charge in Australia.
"The current model Yaris GRMN is a European-specific model, but gives an indication and taste of the potential vehicles that may come to Australia in the future," a Toyota spokesperson told CarsGuide.
What we do know for sure is that the GR Supra will be the first of several go-fast models to arrive from 2020 and beyond, with Toyota keen to install the GR and GRMN (Gazoo Racing and Gazoo Racing Masters of the Nurburgring) brands as genuine performance powerhouses in Australia.
"We’re not able to comment on the specifics of any future GR models post Supra at this stage, but vehicles branded under Gazoo Racing will have credible performance," a Toyota spokesperson told us. "In terms of the performance brand, GR will range from parts and accessories all the way up to full GR and GRMN models."
Toyota has confirmed its plan to offer three distinct levels of sportiness in Australia. GR sport cars will simply look sportier, while the brand promises that full GR cars will show "a noticeable performance increase". The GRMN badge will used on the brand's most fire-breathing of models.
Toyota in Australia has already confirmed that the Corolla GR revealed earlier this year is a non-starter for this country, given that vehicle doesn't increase that car's overall performance. But the brand's international executives have confimed work on a Toyota Corolla GRMN is already underway.
"We are currently investigating what would be most effective for the European market, but a Corolla GRMN is certainly realistic. We are already working on that,” Toyota’s Deputy Chief Designer, Toshio Kanei, told Dutch publication AutoRAI.
‘The development takes place under the supervision of Toyota Gazoo Racing. This department has included the Corolla GRMN in the future plan, but for now the project is still in the planning stage.”
The top-selling Toyota HiLux is on the performance-makeover list, too, with Toyota Gazoo Racing president Shigeki Tomoyama telling media that he wanted to make a road-going version of the brand's Dakar rally champion winner.
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