 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Parent | Toyota |
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Toyota Racing Development (also known by itsabbreviationTRD) is the in-house tuning shop for allToyota andLexus (and formerlyScion) 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 asF-Sport and performance Lexus models are labeledF to distinguishLexus's F division from TRD.
As of June 2013[update] there are two official branches of TRD:TRD Japan (a.k.a.Toyota Technocraft) andTRD USA. Each of these branches has both a performance tuning division and a race (or competition) division. In 2018, TRD Japan and Toyota Modellista merged to form Toyota Customizing & Development Co., Ltd (TCD).
TRD Japan's Race Division concentrates on theSuper GT Series (JGTC),All-Japan Formula Three Championship Series, Esso Formula Toyota Series, and Netz Cup races (Vitz and86/BRZ Race Series). Many of these activities has been rebranded under theToyota Gazoo Racing brand, following the merger of TRD Japan into TCD banner.
TRD USA's Race Division, known as 'Toyota Gazoo Racing North America', competes inNASCAR,NHRATop Fuel andFunny car,IMSA GT Daytona,Pirelli World Challenge TCA,Formula Drift,TORC,USAC, andLucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. Former competitions include theBaja 1000,Grand-Am,CART/Champ Car and theIndy Racing League. In association withAll American Racers, TRD USA was responsible for developing engines for theEagle HF89/90 andEagle MkIIIGrand Touring Prototypes.[1]
TRD is not to be confused withToyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG), which is located inCologne, Germany, and operates Toyota'sFIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) factory team under the name Toyota Gazoo Racing.[2] Within Toyota, TMG is a completely separate entity from, and therefore not under the control of, TRD. FormerTMG activities include operating theToyota Formula One Team (also known as Panasonic Toyota Racing), which competed in theFIA Formula One World Championship (F1). TMG also competed in theFIA World Rally Championship (WRC) as Toyota Team Europe with the famousCelica GT-Four and rally versions of theCorolla, and two attempts (in1998 and1999) at the24 Hours of Le Mans with theGT-One.
Toyota Australia introduced a TRD division in August 2007, with thesuperchargedAurionV6, followed by a high-performance variant of the 4WDHilux in April 2008.[3] Speculation suggested a third model was likely to be aRAV4. TRD was aimed to compete with local in-house tuning shopsHolden Special Vehicles (HSV) andFord 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.[4]
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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.
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.[5][6]
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Through the TRD brand Toyota since the early-2010's has had adriver development program calledTD2 which offers training to develop drivers so they can succeed at the top level of motorsports. Drivers currently in the program as of 2022 consist ofChandler Smith,Christian Eckes,Corey Heim,Gracie Trotter,Sammy Smith,Kaylee Bryson,Cannon McIntosh,Presley Truedson, andDaison Pursley. Drivers such asErik Jones,Christopher Bell, andHarrison Burton have "graduated" from the program and made it to theNASCAR Cup Series which the program preps its drivers for.
Most drivers in the program can be marked by the TD2 logo often seen on the back towards the collar or "neck" of their fire suits and/or the back center of their helmets.
