By Steve & Tamami Laser
One hundred lucky auto enthusiasts in Japan will have their dreams come true in 2015 when they take delivery of a new Toyota sport sedan that’s custom-built for drifting. Toyota’s GAZOO Racing group will offer just 100 copies of the special Mark X “GRMN” edition.
Based on the long-running Mark X (riding on the same 112.2-inch [2850 mm] wheelbase as the Lexus GS), the “GAZOO Racing tuned by MN” edition is fitted with a 3.5-liter V6 teamed with a six-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels through a Torsen® Limited-Slip Differential.
Mark X GRMN originally debuted as a concept at the 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon. The limited-production model will be on display at the 2015 edition of the show, scheduled for January 9 to 11, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba near Tokyo.
The car’s normally aspirated V6 puts out 236kw (321ps) @ 6,400 rpm and 380Nm (38.7kgfm) @ 4,800 rpm. While these figures fall short of supercar status, the car’s near ideal weight balance and precisely tuned chassis appears to generate ear-to-ear grins whenever the driver shuts off the Vehicle Stability Control via a switch on the center console and hangs out the tail on the track.
On the outside, Mark X GRMN can be identified by its specially designed front and rear fascias, bumpers and spoilers plus subtle GRMN logos. To help reduce weight, the roof panel and spoilers are made of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP).
Four-pot brake calipers can be seen peeking out from the spokes of the staggered 19 x 8.0-inch wheels in front and 19 x 9.0 in the rear shod with 235/40R19 and 255/35R19 performance tires respectively.
Inside the cabin, the instrument panel and garnish feature anti-reflecting piano black paint while special sport bucket seats, sport steering wheel, gearshift knob and center console are covered with grippy Ultra Suede® fabric.
Toyota says that Toyopet stores across Japan (professional shop AREA86) will begin accepting orders on March 1st for a limited run of just 100 Mark X GRMNs.
Those who miss out on the GRMN can take solace by opting for Mark X 350S “G’s” and 250 G and “G’s” with special “Yellow Label” editions. Toyota also markets a line of GAZOO Racing parts and accessories for the Mark X and many of its other production models in Japan.
News source and photos courtesy of Toyota Motor Corp. Features and specifications for Japanese market models are subject to change without notice.
Story (commentary) © 2014 CarNichiWa.com