Enhanced look and firmer suspension tune for GR Sport version of top-selling Toyota.

WHAT potential a racier-looking RAV4 just unveiled internationally could be the next addition to Toyota New Zealand’s fattening GR Sport family while the GR86 coupe just landed here could be the last addition to the fully fiery top-tier Gazoo Racing genre?

Announcement in Europe of a RAV4 GR Sport – with unique exterior styling upgrades, interior trims and a firmer chassis setup – comes just weeks after reports, based on an interview with a GR programme high-up, that the ‘Gazoo Racing’ performance-car line-up may peak at four cars for the time being.

If the latter proves accurate that’ll mean the full set comprises models already in NZ or signed off for entry within the next 12 months.

Specifically, that’s the GR86 that has just landed here, Supra which has just broadened to a manual edition alongside the original automatic, plus the Corolla coming next year with the same three-cylinder and four-wheel-drive as the original recipe Yaris GR.

While there are still rumours about a GR sports sedan – which might not be of value in our SUV-leaning market anyway – and even talk of the iconic MR2 being revived, these aren’t supported by the source of the information above.

That’s Toyota GR86 chief engineer Yasunori Suezawa, who visited Australia for the car’s release there.

When asked if there are any more high-performance models planned under the Toyota GR brand after the current quartet, he is reported by the Drive.com.au website as replying, through a translator: “There is none left actually, so this (the GR86) is the last.”

As Drive reminded, though the GR cars are the hottest Toyota’s sold here, in the overall scheme of things they really belong to the middle tier of the Gazoo Racing span.

GR sits above GR Sport, but below GRMN vehicles, which are exclusive, track-focused limited editions. GRMN? It’s for ‘Gazoo Racing tuned by Meister of Nurburgring’, a tribute to the input of the GR programme test drivers, who base at the famous circuit in Germany.

While Suezawa says GR86 is basically the last GR car for now, he has suggested the GR Sport has plenty of candidate cars from the mainstream model lines left to sort.

The RAV4 edition would surely be of interest to TNZ, simply because other variants are extremely popular here. Another plus point for the GR Sport edition is that it based on the best-selling hybrid. If introduced, it would join a Yaris, a CH-R and a Hilux. The latter is confirmed for 2023 introduction here, once the locally-developed Hilux Mako runs its course.

The visual enhancements that pack with GR Sport are enough to make it a crowd standout. It has piano black wheel arch trims and plastic mouldings, along with more aggressive fog light surrounds and a front spoiler. It also receives GR badging and unique 19-inch wheels, painted gloss black with machined edges.

All the above might make it look more appealing for a secondary road thrash. The element that cements that it might be is the suspension retuned. The GR Sport achieves firmer springs and dampers to improve handling and body control.

Inside? Check out the pair of sportier front seats trimmed in suede and synthetic leather, with embossed GR logos on the headrests. Silver stitching picks out the seats, steering wheel and gear lever, with gunmetal grey inserts on the door panels and further GR logos on the floor mats.

Standard equipment includes a 10.5-inch infotainment display and a 12.3-inch digital dash, along with Toyota's Safety Sense driver assist tech.

Sounds tempting? What might seal the deal is that this edition bases on the variant Kiwis very much enjoy – the hybrid which is so popular some variants ordered now won’t be delivered until 2024.