Yaris looms as TRD third wheel

Toyota Racing Developments (TRD) is looking to satisfy one of its core KPIs (key performance indicators) with its third model, currently the source of wide speculation.

Though the fledgling performance operation has just launched its first model, the TRD Aurion, it has confirmed it will launch a supercharged version of the HiLux all-wheel drive Double Cab later this year (more below).

Now speculation is rife as to the identity of the next TRD model. And with the go-fast division charged with lowering Toyota's age demographic and attracting new buyers to the brand (see more here), it now looks likely a Yaris-based vehicle will be the next cab off the rank.

Currently the top Aussie Yaris, the circa-$21K YRX is powered by 80kW/141Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine. In markets like the UK and Europe, the Yaris has recently been offered variously as a T-Sport or SR version with the same 100kW engine that graces the new Corolla.

Though officially TRD personnel are tight-lipped, insiders have confirmed that the company's engineers are evaluating a similar 1.8-litre-engined version of the Yaris.

Word is, however, TRD's local engineers aren't entirely happy with the 1.8-litre Yaris' performance 'as delivered'. The situation could be further complicated if Toyota takes the decision to add the 1.8-litre Yaris to its non-TRD line-up.

It's understood TRD is searching for "a clear performance advantage" over the European T-Sport model. And therein lies the rub -- given the price sensitive nature of the marketplace, their hands are somewhat tied. A TRD Yaris might not have to compete directly with the likes of Ford's $24,990 Fiesta XR4, but it would certainly have to undercut the current top of the light hot hatch heap, VW's $26,990 Polo GTI.

And even this elevated pricetag may not be enough to allow TRD to profitably engineering its own performance upgrade.

It was initially presumed the Corolla would have a walk up start to be the next TRD-fettled Toyota to hit the roads Down Under.

The car on which the TRD Corolla will likely be based, the 2.4-litre Japanese market Blade and 3.5-litre Aurion V6-engined Blade Master (and Blade Master G) is now on sale in Japan, however, it's not known when or if Toyota Australia will be able to secure production.

The 3.5-litre version of the latest Corolla/Auris, the 200kW-plus Blade Master is aimed four square at the likes of Mazda's 190kW turbocharged 3 MPS and the all-wheel drive Volkswagen R32 Golf. Like the Mazda and the current cooking-model Corolla, the Toyota is front-wheel drive. The Blade does, however, feature a sophisticated double wishbone rear suspension set-up for better handling.

Though Toyota has ruled out a TRD version of the Kluger in the short term at least, a TRD-fettled RAV 4 V6 is not out of the question. The model is due to be released in Toyota guise Down Under before the end of 2007. Whether there would be a market for a RAV with the Aurion's 241kW supercharged V6 is something only Toyota's strategists can answer at this stage.

One thing that's for sure, TRD boss Greg Gardner says more, not less TRD models are "a certainty". HiLux and Aurion will be the building blocks for the brand, he says, while other models will "come and go" depending on availability.

Gardner says there's no set timetable or firm number of models for the brand over the next few years. He adds that TRD won't shy away from launching diesel-powered models, either, if the market and marketplace demanded such variants.

The unashamedly petrol-powered TRD Hilux will be released before the end of 2007 and you can hear the ute muster attendees' lips smacking from here.

Though the power output of the four-door behemoth is a closely guarded secret, TRD's backroom boys will admit they have already liberated "substantially more than the Aurion's 400Nm of torque" from the offroader's supercharged 4.0-litre V6.

If that sounds like your sort of ride, you haven't long to wait... After that, it's Yaris next... Probably... Errr, maybe...

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