Introduction:
Toyota has recently completed its new research and development center in Shimoyama, including a 3.3-mile version of the Nürburgring track. The interior of the R&D building is designed to simulate the look and feel of the Nordschleife’s pit lane, with teams from planning, design, engineering, and development working together to create future Toyota GR and Lexus models. The facility also includes various test courses and a visitor building for meetings with partners and suppliers. With a focus on improving vehicles through driving and breaking them, Toyota is investing in new technologies and the development of fun and exciting cars. Let’s take a closer look at the details of Toyota’s new R&D center in Shimoyama.
Subtitles:
1. State-of-the-Art R&D Center in Shimoyama
2. Focus on Vehicle Development and Testing
3. Investment in New Technologies
4. Future Vehicle Developments and Potential Revivals
5. Driving Toyota’s Innovation and Sustainability Efforts
The new Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama spans over 2,512 square miles and is located in a mountainous area over the cities of Toyota and Okazaki in the Aichi Prefecture. Costing nearly $2 billion to build, the facility is designed to bring together teams from different areas of vehicle development. The interior of the R&D building reflects the look and feel of the Nordschleife’s pit lane, providing a unique environment for creating Toyota GR and Lexus models. Additionally, the facility includes a high-speed test course, country roads, and specialized test courses for simulating various road conditions.
The key focus of the new R&D center is on improving vehicles through driving, breaking, and continuous refinement. By bringing together teams from planning, design, engineering, and development, Toyota aims to create high-quality and innovative cars. The facility sees approximately 3,000 people coming to work each day, emphasizing the scale and importance of the work being done there. With a strong emphasis on testing and prototyping, Toyota is committed to delivering high-performance and reliable vehicles to its customers.
Chairman Akio Toyoda has emphasized the importance of driving, breaking, and improving cars as the key philosophy behind the new R&D center. With a focus on developing a new family of internal combustion engines and experimenting with hydrogen-fueled ICEs, Toyota is investing in new technologies to enhance the performance and sustainability of its vehicles. Additionally, the company is exploring the idea of an electric sports car, potentially previewed by the FT-Se concept, for a potential MR2 reboot with dual motors and all-wheel drive.
While Toyota has not disclosed specific details about the vehicles being developed at the new R&D center, Chairman Akio Toyoda hinted at a potential revival of the Celica in October 2023. With a strong focus on fun and exciting GR-badged cars, customers can look forward to new models that push the boundaries of performance and design. As Toyota continues to focus on gasoline cars alongside its efforts in electric and hydrogen technologies, the future lineup of vehicles is expected to offer a diverse range of options for consumers.
Toyota’s new R&D center in Shimoyama represents a significant investment in driving innovation and sustainability in the automotive industry. With a strong focus on improving vehicles through testing and prototyping, the company is dedicated to delivering high-quality and reliable cars to its customers. By investing in new technologies and exploring alternative fuel sources, Toyota is positioning itself as a leader in the development of next-generation vehicles that are both exciting to drive and environmentally friendly. Through its commitment to continuous improvement and innovation, Toyota is driving the future of mobility forward.