Toyota Motor Corporation is set to participate in Round 6 of the ENEOS Super Taikyu Series 2025 Empowered by BRIDGESTONE, taking place at Okayama International Circuit from October 25 to 26. Toyota will race using the #32 TGRR GR Yaris M concept, which made its global debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2025.

As a background, Japan’s Super Taikyu is one of the world’s largest mixed-grid multi-class production-based endurance racing series with both professionals and amateurs dicing it up on the track. There are nine different classes altogether so you will find something like a Suzuki Swift, to a Mazda Miata, to a Subaru STI, to a Cayman GT4 and all the way to a GT3-spec Mercedes-Benz AMG GT occupying the same grid on race day.

Cars like the GR Yaris feature a front-mounted engine, which places most of the load on the front tires during braking, steering, and acceleration. On the track, this greatly influences tire wear and often causes understeer*2 when cornering at the limit because of decreased grip.

To fundamentally alter this behavior and create a vehicle that responds precisely to driver input, Morizo and the development team decided—to enter the Super Taikyu Series—to completely rethink the car’s structure and weight balance. This led to the GR Yaris M concept, which uses a midship 4WD layout. The name “M concept” comes from the letter “M,” representing both midship and Morizo.

During development, the engine and transmission were moved from the front to behind the driver’s seat, and the wheelbase and track width were optimized. The car is also fitted with the compact, high-output G20E engine, first revealed at the Multipathway Workshop last May, reflecting ongoing efforts to push the limits of internal combustion engines in competitive motorsports.

As the team readied for the race, they faced challenges typical of mid-engine cars related to braking, steering, and handling, which led to their absence from the previous Autopolis race. Over the next three months, drivers, engineers, and mechanics collaborated closely, conducting extensive test runs and making significant improvements to the engine, body, and chassis.

Now, the team is prepared to compete at Okayama. By racing on circuits, pushing components to the limit, and collecting detailed feedback from the track, Toyota will continue striving to develop even better cars born from motorsports.