Toyota to Race Nürburgring-Spec GR Yaris and E20-Powered GR86 at Super Taikyu Autopolis Round
Toyota Motor Corporation has confirmed its participation in Round 5 of the ENEOS Super Taikyu Series 2025 Empowered by BRIDGESTONE, set to take place at Autopolis from July 26 to 27. The automaker will field two standout vehicles that reflect its commitment to continuous vehicle development and carbon neutrality through motorsports.
Headlining Toyota’s entry is the #32 TGRR GR Yaris DAT, a vehicle boasting the same specifications as the model that competed in the prestigious 24 Hours Nürburgring endurance race in Germany this past June. Alongside it will be the #28 TGRR GR86 Future FR Concept, which runs on low-carbon E20 gasoline supplied by ENEOS Corporation, reinforcing Toyota’s multi-pathway approach toward sustainable mobility.
Continuing Vehicle Evolution Through Dual Strategy
Toyota’s motorsport initiatives are grounded in two core strategies: refining product performance and pursuing decarbonization through diversified technological pathways. The upcoming race at Autopolis serves as another proving ground where Toyota can test and validate its innovations in real-world, high-stakes conditions.
The GR Yaris DAT, introduced earlier this year into the Super Taikyu series as car #104, has already demonstrated strong developmental progress. It has undergone rigorous refinement through a range of motorsport events, including rally stages and track circuits across Japan and Europe.
A major milestone in the GR Yaris DAT’s evolution came in June, when it returned to the grueling Nürburgring 24 Hours after a six-year hiatus. Outfitted with exclusive settings and parts tailored to endure the event’s harsh demands, the car exceeded expectations by completing more laps than initially planned. This achievement highlighted the value of Japan-based endurance testing and affirmed the GR Yaris DAT’s growing credibility as a high-performance machine fit for extreme racing.
Racing the Nürburgring-Spec GR Yaris in Japan
Now, Toyota brings that Nürburgring-hardened GR Yaris DAT to Autopolis as car #32. The race presents an opportunity to test the vehicle’s capabilities under vastly different conditions from Germany — namely Japan’s summer heat and high humidity. These factors introduce new variables for assessing suspension response, cooling efficiency, and engine performance. Toyota expects the insights gleaned from this race will influence future production and racing vehicle development.
In addition to car #32, the earlier #104 GR Yaris DAT will also continue to compete, providing a valuable comparative testing opportunity. With both vehicles running differing specifications, engineers will be able to analyze performance data across various configurations. The goal is to synthesize findings from both Nürburgring and Japanese circuits, using Super Taikyu as a live laboratory for product enhancement.
Expanding the E20 Co-Challenge with ENEOS
Toyota’s broader goal of reducing carbon emissions in motorsports will also be on display at Autopolis, with the return of the #28 GR86 Future FR Concept powered by low-carbon gasoline (E20). This initiative is part of a strategic collaboration between Toyota and ENEOS, one of Japan’s leading energy companies, focused on achieving carbon neutrality through real-world trials in endurance racing.
The #28 GR86 previously competed in the Round 3 NAPAC Fuji 24 Hours in May, where it successfully completed 523 laps without experiencing any fuel-related performance issues. Encouraged by the vehicle’s performance, Toyota is continuing the test program at Autopolis — this time under different environmental conditions. The aim is to collect further technical feedback that can guide the refinement of E20 fuel performance in high-stress racing applications.
This co-challenge is part of a larger multi-manufacturer initiative involving five automakers, all united by a common vision: leveraging motorsport-derived technologies to drive progress toward a carbon-neutral society. The ST-Q class of the Super Taikyu Series serves as the experimental ground for this effort, promoting cooperative competition and open innovation.
GR Yaris M Concept Development Update
Meanwhile, Toyota continues to explore the outer limits of what the GR Yaris platform can achieve. Earlier this year, the company unveiled the GR Yaris M Concept at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon — a bold reimagining of the vehicle with a mid-engine layout.
Since its debut, the concept has been undergoing active development with a full team dedicated to refining its dynamics. However, Toyota has identified several challenges inherent to the midship configuration, including braking balance, steering feedback, and overall vehicle control. These are areas where further adjustments are needed before the car is ready for competitive racing.
As a result, Toyota has decided not to enter the GR Yaris M Concept in the upcoming Autopolis round. The decision reflects Toyota’s emphasis on readiness and safety, ensuring that any vehicle that hits the track meets the company’s strict performance and reliability standards. That said, development will continue in earnest with the goal of entering the concept in future Super Taikyu events.
A Broader Vision for Future Mobility
Toyota’s participation in the Super Taikyu Series is about more than just winning races. It’s about using the crucible of competition to push engineering boundaries, validate next-generation fuels, and accelerate the development of consumer-ready technologies.
Whether through the Nürburgring-tested GR Yaris DAT or the E20-powered GR86, Toyota is actively shaping the future of mobility — one lap at a time. Through collaboration with partners like ENEOS and its commitment to innovation on the racetrack, the company continues to advance toward a carbon-neutral and high-performance automotive future.
