After virtually 100 years of producing vehicles, Toyota has developed a reputation for reliability, sensibility, and practicality. Beyond this, it is usually identified for its impressively rugged and capable off-roaders and trucks, with its catalog protecting high-end and utilitarian vehicles and SUVs. One of its lesser-known traits is its affinity for efficiency, which it backs with a complete listing of motorsport achievements. Its involvement in rally championships, Formula One, endurance racing, and world touring vehicles has resulted in some thrilling and iconic sports activities vehicles which have outlined a few of its model’s identification during the last six many years.

Despite it not being extra invested in efficiency vehicles because it was in its prime, Toyota is slowly creeping again into its efficiency roots, with a substantial line-up bearing its Gazoo Racing moniker, together with the likes of the Supra and GR86. Over the years, we have had some really memorable Toyota sports activities vehicles, and it is fairly a tough process to pinpoint which have been the very best and probably the most iconic, however there have been some vehicles that possess such particular attributes, that they only really feel considerably extra vital. Ranging from well-known cult classics and underrated compact heroes, listed below are a few of the greatest sports activities vehicles that the Japanese model has constructed.

UPDATE: 2024/03/07

We have spruced up and up to date this listing of a few of Toyota’s most noteworthy sportscars, produced over the many years, with much more helpful data for each entry together with the addition of efficiency specs.

In order to provide the newest and correct data attainable, the information used to compile this text was sourced from Toyota and different authoritative sources, together with Car and Driver, MotorPattern, Hagerty and Hemmings. Models have been organized from oldest to latest.

1 1965-1969 Toyota Sports 800

Toyota Enters The Sports Car Arena

Toyota’s first enterprise into compact efficiency vehicles is a valiant feat. The Sports 800 Coupe is an enthralling little two-seater measuring simply 140.9 inches lengthy. Like the model’s present 86 vary, this icon contains a boxer engine, particularly its 2-UB 0.79-liter flat-two gasoline mill, producing simply 44 horsepower to the rear wheels through a four-speed guide transmission. Toyota solely made 300 left-hand drive fashions for the Okinawa area. 40 models got to American sellers, however its restricted attraction finally led to the cancellation of its introduction right here.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Toyota)

In whole, 3,131 examples had been constructed, and you may sometimes discover them up on the market in first rate situation even immediately, however be ready to pay north of $40,000. In case you are questioning, official 0-60 mph occasions are arduous to come back by, however in response to Hemmings, the Sports 800 had a top speed of 90 mph. The Toyota Sports 800 was a marvel of its time, emphasising the significance of power-to-weight ratios.

2 1967-1970 Toyota 2000GT

Setting A New Luxurious Standard For Japan

The legendary Toyota 2000 GT is so lovely that it typically ties with the E-Type Jag within the appears division. Unveiled on the 1965 Tokyo Motor Show to compete with the massive canine and for a primary crack at a sporty grand tourer, Toyota did a fantastic job. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter inline-six, borrowed from the Toyota Crown sedan. However, it was tuned by Yamaha who gave the engine new internals and three twin-carburetors, rising its output to 150 horsepower and 129 pounds-feet of torque.

In typical Toyota style, the 2000 GT suffered from a basic case of over-engineering. It was the primary Toyota mannequin to characteristic disk brakes on all each axles, a five-speed guide gearbox and was fitted with a mechanical limited-slip differential. As a end result, the GT is capable of doing 0-60 mph in just 8.6 seconds and reaches a 135 MPH tops pace, partially due to a comparatively low 2,469-pound curb weight.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Toyota)

This cutting-edge automotive was far too costly for Toyota to provide. Resultant gradual gross sales meant they needed to kill the 2000 GT after solely a three-year manufacturing run, throughout which solely 351 models had been produced. 62 of those had been left-hand drive fashions devoted to the U.S. market. Even Carol Shelby had a hand in developing a race-going 2000 GT, reworked to provide 210 horsepower, making it highly effective sufficient to compete with the likes of Porsche and Triumph, who dominated world motorsport on the time.

One such racecar recently fetched a record $2.54 million, and even the common 2000 GT street vehicles are steadily rising in worth as a consequence of their exclusivity with well-maintained examples fetching near one million {dollars} a pop.

3 1973-1977 Toyota Celica Liftback GT 2000

Toyota’s Take On The Iconic Mustang

Toyota unveiled its first-generation Toyota Celica on the 1970 Tokyo Motor Show. It initially launched initially as a two-door hardtop coupe, however the liftback model was the physique model that grew to be the icon of the vary. Toyota primarily based its design on common American vehicles on the time, which is why it bears just a few similarities to the Mustang and Falcon. The Japanese model solely provided the RA29 Celica GT Liftback with a single-cam 2.2-liter 20R engine. JDM-specific variants featured a number of engine choices, ranging between 1.6-liter and a couple of.0-liter capacities.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Toyota)

The engine made a really modest 95 horsepower and 122 pound-feet of torque. Power is shipped to the rear-wheels through a five-speed guide transmission, solely. The automotive weighhs in at round 2,600 kilos, granting it a formidable 110 MPH high pace in the fitting circumstances. As is the case with most of its sports activities vehicles, Toyota designed the Celica GT 2000 with agility and dealing with in thoughts.

It was a driver-engaging automotive with engaging exterior aesthetics, leading to Toyota having fun with a strengthened model fame in America. The Celica GT2000 Liftback has been gaining reputation amongst collectors, so expect to pay upwards of $25,000 for a mint example.

4 1981-1985 Toyota Celica Supra

The Dawn Of The Supra Era

From one Celica to the following, let’s speak about the underrated and forgotten JDM Classic generally known as the Toyota Celica Supra. Toyota launched this mannequin in 1978 with a bigger emphasis on the export market. It’s largely primarily based on the Celica Liftback however options noticeably larger dimensions and different minor design and construction revisions.

Toyota elevated dimensions, so it might match a bigger inline-six engine below the hood. The “Supra” moniker was initially used as a flagship trim designation for the Celica. Japanese fashions inherited the Celica XX badge earlier than Toyota cut up the Celica and Supra badges in 1983.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Toyota)

Toyota launched the Celica Supra to the American market with a catalog of spectacular engine choices. The entry-level engine was a 2.0-liter SOHC inline-six that shared its primary block with the Toyota 2000 GT and produced 123 horsepower. Later fashions characteristic a 2.8-liter inline-six, producing 145 horsepower. Transmission choices embrace a four-speed computerized torque converter auto or a five-speed guide. Just like the Hilux at the time, the Celica Supra sits on a reside rear axle, however the dealing with is improved through all-around disk brakes and an non-obligatory LSD.

Accoring to Car&Driver, the Celica Supra handles the twisty bits with the utmost composure, which is one thing that simply cannot be stated for American vehicles from the identical period. The improved construct high quality and dealing with weren’t sufficient to maintain up with the highly effective Mustangs and Camaros, leading to sub-par gross sales figures. Toyota discontinued the Celica Supra within the U.S. after a short three-year manufacturing run. These models go for as high as $40,000 on the used market.

5 1984-1987 Toyota Corolla Sport GT-S

The Hero Across Media

The Sport GT-S is a flagship trim providing for the Toyota Corolla GT Coupe vary constructed between 1984 and 1987. This mannequin sits on the acclaimed AE86 chassis. This explicit model is probably the most sought-after Corolla so far, if you happen to exclude the newly launched GR Corolla. A giant cause for its reputation is the light-weight rear-wheel-drive format and high-revving naturally aspirated DOHC engine.

It’s Japanese counterpart, the Sprinter Trueno GT-Apex, options because the hero automotive within the famous Japanese Initial D series. What makes this explicit mannequin particular is the truth that it’s a rear-wheel drive providing, supplementing an virtually fully front-wheel drive-based Toyota Corolla vary.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Toyota)

The Toyota Corolla AE86 is powered by a transversely-mounted 1.6-liter 4A-GE engine, that includes twin-overhead cams and digital gasoline injection. It produces 130 horsepower and 109 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels through a five-speed guide gearbox. The Corolla GT Coupe stays a best choice for drifting and has deserves throughout a number of motorsport disciplines, together with touring automotive and rally racing. These vehicles are actually extremely sought-after collectibles however proceed to be low-cost to work on. Good luck discovering an all-original instance, as these are practically not possible to come back by.

6 1991-2000 Toyota Soarer

A Sports Car In A Tailored Suit

The Toyota Soarer Turbo, also known as the Lexus SC, was a refined and elegant-looking coupe that’s technically a Grand Tourer quite than a sports activities automotive. The mannequin in query is the third-generation, which Toyota produced between 1991 and 2000. It options svelte and grown-up appears with a excessive luxurious degree inside the cabin. Toyota Soarer Turbo fashions are notably particular, as these characteristic the twin-turbo 2.5-liter 1JZ-GTE inline-six. This powertrain is offered with a five-speed guide or four-speed computerized transmission.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Toyota)

While Toyota and Lexus SC provided a V-8-powered Soarer as nicely, the turbocharged model shortly gained fame amongst tuners and fanatics. This engine produces 276 horsepower and 279 pound-feet of torque as customary. The engine’s sturdy nature made it able to dealing with high-boost pressures on inventory internals, which led to its success among the many tuner neighborhood.

7 2000-2007 Toyota MR2 Spyder

Downsizing The Mid-Engined Blueprint

Unveiled to the general public again in 1984, the Toyota MR2 moniker has develop into a revolution in sports activities automotive design and a packaging marvel. The name MR2 stands for “Mid-engine, Rear-wheel-drive, 2-seater”. Although the SW20 garners extra reputation for its modern styling and big selection of high-performance engines, the final-generation W30 is a very particular and underrated instance. Toyota produced this vary between 1999 and 2007. It set new benchmarks for dealing with and steadiness within the entry-level sports activities automotive market, and improved the tried and tested mid-engine formula.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Toyota)

The all aluminum 1ZZ-FE 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine is the star of the present. It produces a modest 138 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, however its high-revving talents makes it a very pleasurable powertrain, particularly when fitted to the five-speed guide transmission. The MR2 weighs in at just below a ton, granting it a formidable power-to-weight ratio. The 1ZZ engine has since develop into well-known within the tuner neighborhood for its excessive tolerance to modifications, which, mixed with its agility, led to the MR2’s success in motorsports.

8 1994-1998 Toyota Supra

From Hollywood To The Streets

Not solely is it top-of-the-line Toyota sports activities vehicles ever made, however it is usually thought-about top-of-the-line sports activities vehicles of all time. The A80-generation Toyota Supra is a popular culture and tuner icon that, along with the Nissan GT-R range, is the face of the JDM sports activities automotive tradition. The iconic 2JZ-GTE twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six engine is the Supra’s most iconic characteristic. The naturally-aspirated GE variant produces 220 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. The GTE will increase this to 321 horsepower and 315 pound-feet of torque in the usA. Power figures differ barely relying on the area.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Toyota)

As customary, this RWD sports activities automotive is able to hitting 0-60 MPH in simply 4.6 seconds with a formidable 13.1-second quarter-mile time. What makes the Supra such a sought-after mannequin is the engine’s seemingly limitless tuning potential. As a end result, you possibly can count on to be paying near $300,000 for a completely clean and low-mileage example right here within the U.S.

9 2012-2021 Toyota GT86

Bringing Performance To The People

Toyota’s vibrant re-entry into the compact rear-wheel drive sports activities automotive market comes within the guise of the Toyota GT86. Built in collaboration with Subaru, this entry-level 2+2 sports activities automotive was designed to revive the model’s long-lost aspirational driving automotive catalog. Production started in 2012 and concluded in 2021, throughout which era the GT86 remained largely unchanged.

Toyota also sold the model as an 86 or FT86 throughout worldwide areas. The GT86’s front-engine RWD platform was obtainable at a really inexpensive worth level and made use of intelligent engineering to maintain the prices down with minimal compromises. It options Subaru’s naturally aspirated 2.0-liter flat-four boxer engine, which performs a giant half in bettering its middle of gravity.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Toyota)

This setup got here mated to both a six-speed guide or a six-speed TQ computerized. The engine was rated to provide 197 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque sipping 98 RON gasoline. The GT86 garnered just a few criticisms for its lack of energy, however in contrast to its predecessors, it was an enormous gross sales success, highlighting how in-demand a low value efficiency automotive is. The GT86 and Subaru BRZ resultantly gained worldwide fame for mastering the easy sports activities automotive recipe.

10 2020 Toyota GR Supra

The Icon’s Long-Awaited Revival

The automotive world was elated when Toyota reintroduced a long-awaited successor to the Supra. The Gazoo Racing-specific mannequin is constructed on BMW’s CLAR platform, however with some brand-specific alterations to assist it really feel extra distinctive and conventional. Powertrain choices encompass BMW’s 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 255 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, and a full-fat 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six that makes 335 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Toyota)

The unique model launched in 2019 additionally shared the BMW Z4’s eight-speed ZF sourced TQ computerized, however this engine and gearbox combo infuriated fairly just a few purists for its lack of a guide choice like its predecessor. Enthusiasts additionally accused the Supra of being nothing greater than a rebadged BMW. So a GR Supra with a manual transmission was inevitable.

Toyota finally introduced a six-speed manual gearbox for the Supra together with different minor adjustments akin to an upgraded turbo. This will increase the ability output to 382 horsepower, successfully remodeling the driving expertise into a very pleasurable and involving sports activities automotive. Toyota claims a 4.2-second 0-60 MPH time, however reviewers show you possibly can attain this pace in as little as 3.9 seconds.

11 2021 Toyota GR86

Entry-Level Sports Car Perfection Evolved

Following the success of the GT86, Toyota and Subaru teamed up as soon as once more to make a sequel to their near-perfect entry-level sports activities coupe within the type of an all-new Toyota GR86. On the floor, the GR86 appears like a gentle evolution at greatest, however below the pores and skin is the place many of the worthwhile adjustments have been made.

Starting with the engine, the automotive comes with an all-new 2.4-liter naturally aspirated boxer-four that makes 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. But, extra importantly, it eliminates the most important flat spot within the energy band that plagued its predecessor. Tests point out the guide mannequin sprints from 0-60 MPH in round 5.8 seconds, which is a bit slower than the producer’s claimed time.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Toyota)

The six-speed guide continues to be the usual providing with a six-speed auto obtainable at additional value. In addition, the brand new chassis is stiffer, and together with the Michelin Pilot 4 tires that come as customary in most areas, the new GR86 takes handling and agility to a whole new level. The revised styling and the up to date interiors with new tech akin to up to date infotainment and a completely digital gauge cluster with tons of inside house make this a really usable and well-rounded entry-level sports activities automotive.

FAQ

Q: What sports activities automotive does Toyota make?

Toyota’s 2022 line-up contains two sports activities vehicles which embrace the 2022 Toyota GR86 and the 2022 Toyota Supra.

Q: How a lot is a Toyota sports activities automotive?

Toyota’s newest line-up of Sports vehicles kickstarts with the 2022 Toyota GR86, a 2+2, RWD coupe that carries a beginning worth of $28,725 and packs a six-speed guide transmission as customary.

Q: Which Toyota sports activities automotive got here first?

Toyota’s first notable effort at making a manufacturing sports activities automotive was the minuscule Toyota S800 made between 1965 and 1968 got here fitted with a tiny 800cc parallel-twin engine that made simply 44 horsepower.

Q: What is Toyota’s sportiest automotive?

With solely two road-legal examples constructed so far, the Toyota GT One was a barely street-legal LMP automotive made for homologation functions and got here powered by a 3.6-liter V-8 turbo making in extra of 600 horsepower.

Q: What is Toyota’s quickest automotive?

The title of the quick Toyota Sports automotive goes to the Mk.5 Supra which has a 0-60 mph time of simply 4.1 seconds and a high pace restricted to 155 mph.