Toyota Racing Development

Toyota Racing Development Logo.
A NASCAR Sprint Cup Toyota Camry developed by TRD and Joe Gibbs Racing.

Toyota Racing Development (also known by its acronym TRD) is the in-house tuning shop for all Toyota, Lexus, and Scion cars. TRD is responsible both for improving street cars for more performance and supporting Toyota's racing interests around the world. TRD produces various tuning products and accessories, including performance suspension components, superchargers, and wheels. TRD parts are available through Toyota dealers, and are also available as accessories on brand-new Toyotas and Scions. Performance parts for Lexus vehicles are now labeled as F-Sport and performance Lexus models are labeled F to distinguish Lexus's F division from TRD.

As of June 2013 there are currently two official branches of TRD: TRD Japan (aka Toyota Technocraft) and TRD USA. Each of these branches has both a performance tuning division and a race (or competition) division. Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) ran the Toyota Formula One Team (also known as Panasonic Toyota Racing) and is not under the control of TRD as TMG is a completely separate entity.

TRD Japan's Race Division concentrates on the Super GT Series (JGTC), All-Japan Formula Three Championship Series, ESSO Formula Toyota Series, and Netz Cup races (Vitz Series).

TRD USA's Race Division concentrates on Championship Off Road Racing (CORR), NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Grand-Am Cup Sports Touring, National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Import Drags, and starting in 2007, NASCAR Sprint Cup and Xfinity Series. Former concentrations include the Baja 1000, IMSA, and CART's Championship World Series (from 1996–2002) and Toyota Atlantic Series (from 1990–2005), and most recently the Indy Racing League (from 2003–2005). In association with All American Racers, TRD USA was responsible for developing engines for the Eagle HF89/90 and Eagle MkIII Grand Touring Prototypes.[1]

Toyota Motorsport GmbH or TMG, operated the Toyota Formula One Team. Former activities include the World Rally Championship (WRC) as Toyota Team Europe with the famous Celica GT-Four and rally versions of the Corolla, as well as two attempts (in 1998 and 1999) at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the GT-One. TMG has now returned to the Le Mans 24 Hours and the World Endurance Championship.

Toyota Australia introduced a TRD division in August 2007, with the supercharged Aurion V6, followed by a high-performance variant of the 4WD Hilux in April 2008.[2] Speculation suggested a third model was likely to be a RAV4. TRD was aimed to compete with local in-house tuning shops Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) and Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV). However, in December 2008 Toyota Australia announced it would be ceasing production of its TRD range. The decision took effect on 31 March 2009.[3]

TRD parts

TRD offers bolt-on headers, sport mufflers, and cat-back exhausts that are 50 state emission legal. Cold air intakes are also sold but not always emission legal. Suspension equipment includes coilovers, springs, dampers and struts, suspension tower braces, sway bars, and wheel upgrades as well. Braking hardware includes full brake kits including calipers, rotors and stainless steel braided brake lines. Separate performance brake pads are also sold. Oil and air filters are offered. Engine head gaskets and camshafts are sold as well. A number of cosmetic modifications are available among other performance equipment.

TRD supercharged engine list (model year)

When install is performed by a Toyota dealer, the 3/36,000 mile warranty extends to the supercharger, otherwise the vehicle retains the factory warranties and the supercharger is covered by a 12 month/unlimited mileage warranty. As of 2015 all TRD Superchargers have been discontinued and ceased production, but all warranties will still be acknowledged. [4][5]

1ZZ-FE 1.8 L I4 (Roots)

2AZ-FE 2.4 L I4 (centrifugal)

1MZ-FE 3.0 L V6 (Roots)

5VZ-FE 3.4 L V6 (Roots)

2GR-FZE 3.5 L V6 (Roots)

1GR-FE 4.0 L V6 (Roots)

1FZ-FE 4.5 L I6

2UZ-FE 4.7 L V8

3UR-FE 5.7 L V8 (Roots, Eaton TVS, air to liquid intercooler)

Current models

See also

References

  1. ↑ Martin, J.A.; Fuller, M.J. (2008). Inside IMSA's Legendary GTP Race Cars: The Prototype Experience. US: Motorbooks.
  2. ↑ McMahon, Bruce (2008-04-12). "Hot Hi-Lux from TRD". Queensland Newspapers (Australia). Retrieved 2013-06-01.
  3. ↑ "Toyota leaves TRD out in the cold". AUSmotive.com (Australia). 2008-12-20. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
  4. ↑ Siu, Jason (2015-06-06). "Toyota Discontinues TRD Supercharger Program". AutoGuide (US). Retrieved 2016-03-17.
  5. ↑ Esterdahl, Tim (2015-06-06). "Toyota Discontinues TRD Supercharger". PickupTrucks.com (US). Retrieved 2016-03-17.
  6. ↑ Torr, Feann (2007-10-04). "Road Test: TRD Aurion". Web Wombat (Australia). Retrieved 2013-06-01.

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