Tag Archives: WRC

Toyota GR Yaris

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This vehicle isn’t anything new, but lately we’ve been looking at pictures of all the different prototype kits that TEIN Japan has made for the Toyota GR Yaris.

In case you’re not aware for some reason, the GR Yaris is the latest hot hatch from Japan. Unfortunately it will not be making its way to the U.S.A. But, we do hear that this car will be available in South America. So, we’re a bit jealous of that news.

Anyway, this car has some pretty incredible specifications given the size of this vehicle. It’s still as compact as any previous Yaris, a bit wider though. But the drivetrain is something else- turbocharged 3-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive. Oh, and that turbocharged 3-cylinder engine puts out ~270hp and ~273lbs-ft of torque. That’s pretty crazy.

It leads to my next question- why is Toyota releasing this vehicle?

The production of this GR Yaris is to meet homologation requirements for WRC, which the Yaris is the platform Toyota uses for rally.

All that power going to all four wheels and in a very short wheelbase. That has to be a fun drive.

Next question- why is it not being released in North America?

No answer there. But word is the drivetrain will make it into another compact Toyota for the U.S.A. That’s at least something of a positive. Still, we really do like the styling of the GR Yaris.

TEIN Japan is already hot in the heels to get product available for this platform, which we’ve already done several prototypes for circuit racing, and even some rally suspension based on our Gr. N coilovers. We had the chance to take a look at the prototype MONO RACING coilovers. Here are some of the pics:

Here’s our MONO SPORT coilover prototype for the GR Yaris. Upper mounts included front and rear, with the fronts using spherical bearings in an aluminum housing. This setup uses 12kg front and 16kg rear springs. This one was developed for circuit racing.
The front struts will use a camber washer arrangement, similar to what we already apply for certain racing suspension models. It will include 0.5 and 1.0 degree camber washers.
The front pillowball mounts are unique in that it still retains the OEM shape and mounting. However, instead of using serrated studs to secure the strut to the strut tower, this mount uses a ring nut to secure the upper mount to the strut tower.

2013 WRC2 Production Class 2nd Place Finish in Monte Carlo!

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This past weekend, Stohl Racing, a TEIN-sponsored team, took a great podium finish in the first race of the WRC2 Production Car Cup, taking home a 2nd place win!

Racing conditions during the event changed drastically, with mixtures of snow, rain, mud, and in some cases, black ice was a major concern for all drivers. It was, without doubt, a very difficult event.

We’re glad to report that our Group N. dampers held up fine to the ever-changing conditions. A well-prepped rally car and the expertise of driver Armin Kremer and co-driver Klaus Wicha made for an exciting finish to an already difficult race!

The last two stages of the event were canceled. Therefore the final positions and times after SS16 were declared as final.

Congrats to Stohl Racing for a great finish for the first race of the season. Up next is Rally Sweden taking place February 7-10th.

More information on this event, as well as some great photos, can be found on our Facebook page!

www.facebook.com/teinusa

Patrik Flodin Places 2nd in Rally Argentina!

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Patrik Flodin and the Uspenskiy Rally Tecnica fought a tough battle during this year’s Rally Argentina. However, team and driver efforts garnered a 2nd place podium finish for the team.

The URT rally team chased down some electrical problems after SS6 that retired them from competing the remainder of the day. Once they resolved the issue, Flodin continued his charge, quickly closing the gap on first place driver Hayden Paddon.

Repairs continued throughout the rally.

Tire preservation proved to be difficult for many teams
Tire preservation proved to be tough for many teams this year.

Flat-out, and nothing less!

We congratulate both Flodin and Team URT and their continued push to see this event through. It was a great result for an otherwise terrible setback! Way to go, Patrik and Team URT! We wish you all the best this season!

Did you know?

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Did you know that TEIN was established by two rally racing enthusiasts, a driver and co-driver. TEIN was not established to make tons of money and take over the world of suspension. It was actually started because the founders could not find a high performance suspension for use in their rally car.

2nd generation Isuzu Gemini. Driver, Fujimoto. Co-Driver, Ichino

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The co-driver is TEIN Inc. President, Mr. Hakaru Ichino, and the driver is Managing Director, Mr. Yoshio Fujimoto.  Mr. Fujimoto later went on to become a works driver for TTE (Toyota Team Europe) in the WRC.

The ST185 Celica Fujitmoto drove to win the Safari Rally in 1995 on display at the Toyota History Garage in Tokyo.

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TEIN Inc. had our own in-house rally team from 1994- 1999. The team was comprised of three vehicles and a full support crew of TEIN Engineers.

WRC spec Toyota Corolla piloted by TEIN Managing Director, Yoshio Fujimoto. 1998 Asia Pacific Rally Champion.

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TEIN is still active in motorsports throughout the world especially in rally. For P-WRC support TEIN created two 20ft. service containers and now owns 3 services trucks. Motorsports support is where TEIN develops, tests and perfects our new products and product features.

TEIN’s Europe based service truck at Rally Finland to support TEIN product users in P-WRC competition.

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2010 marks TEIN’s 25 year anniversary. First established in 1985 outside of Yokohama, Japan.  All our coilovers are still made in-house in Yokohama Japan. In 2004 TEIN invited magazine editors from US, Canada and UK to our factory and in 2008 Ricky Chu of then Riceboy TV stopped by as well.