Friday 3rd August 2007

Grandad's Toyota Goes Steroidal

Yes it’s an Auris...but this one is powered by a 3.5 litre V6

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Here’s one Auris that can’t be called boring. This

Deceitful looks: this Auris packs 276bhp

is the Toyota Blade Master G - does the G stand for grandad? On sale in Japan, it is designed to take on Volkswagen’s Golf R32. It may look only slightly different to the dull-but-faithful Auris we know and our grandparents love, but if you look under the bonnet, that dutiful 1.4 litre D-4D unit has been replaced with a 3.5 litre V6 petrol.

It’s essentially a de-tuned version of the 3456cc unit from the Lexus IS350, producing 276bhp and 254lb ft. The Master G retains the standard car’s front-wheel drivetrain layout but it receives a six-speed sequential auto gearbox and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Cosmetic changes are slight - look closely and you’ll spot a deeper front grille and 17in alloys.

Most powerful Auris gets six-speed sequential auto 'box

Toyota says there aren’t any plans to bring the Master G to the UK, but with an equivalent retail price in Japan of just £13,650, this Q car could prove a very attractive grey-import proposition.

[Hendry]

They'll change the name of course...

I am looking forward to the Toyota Yaris Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five-pot.

[C9/89]

Could be known as the Toyota Ahh Yessss!

[hugoagogo]

rapper's delight
" said M-A-S, T-E-R, a G with a double E
I said I go by the unforgettable name
of the man they call the master gee "

will there be a whole range of sugarhill gang cars?

the Wonder Mike Prius?

the Big Bad Hank RAV4?

[Mr_Yogi]

So how much does it cost to import a car from Japan?

...£13,650 you say...

[Droptheclutch]

hugoagogo said:

rapper's delight
" said M-A-S, T-E-R, a G with a double E
I said I go by the unforgettable name
of the man they call the master gee "

You have missed your calling...LOL. V funny, just the laugh I needed.

[Fetchez la vache]

276bhp & Front wheel drive?

What FWD cars have more bhp than that?

[dougc]

Fetchez la vache said:

276bhp & Front wheel drive?

What FWD cars have more bhp than that?

Look in the nearest hedge to find one....

[ironictwist]

I quite like the center console though

[Kubica]

Fetchez la vache said:

276bhp & Front wheel drive?

What FWD cars have more bhp than that?

Caddilac Seville STS 300 bhp V8 and wrong wheel drive...

[havoc]

One hell of a Q-car though, if they can harness the torque...

[Podie]

dougc said:

Fetchez la vache said:

276bhp & Front wheel drive?

What FWD cars have more bhp than that?

Look in the nearest hedge to find one....

Some of the Autodelta Alfas... and a surpringly large number of Focus STs...

[Kubica]

Podie said:

dougc said:

Fetchez la vache said:

276bhp & Front wheel drive?

What FWD cars have more bhp than that?

Look in the nearest hedge to find one....

Some of the Autodelta Alfas... and a surpringly large number of Focus STs...

But not from the factory...

[wab172uk]

Bet it wouldn't be £13,650 if sold here either.

More like £20k+

[Code Monkey]

wab172uk said:

Bet it wouldn't be £13,650 if sold here either.

More like £20k+

even if you went out there bought it and managed to contain the torque to drive it all the way here is still cheaper and faster than going to VW to buy an R32.

[JakeR]

hugoagogo said:

rapper's delight
" said M-A-S, T-E-R, a G with a double E
I said I go by the unforgettable name
of the man they call the master gee "

will there be a whole range of sugarhill gang cars?

the Wonder Mike Prius?

the Big Bad Hank RAV4?

"cos I'm Ilp the Dilp, the ladies' pilp, the women fight for my delight, cos I'm the grand master with the 3 mcs that shocks the house with the young ladies..." or something...

[Road_Terrorist]

Fetchez la vache said:

276bhp & Front wheel drive?

What FWD cars have more bhp than that?

2007 Vectra VXR has exactly the same 276bhp output

[Podie]

Kubica said:

Podie said:

dougc said:

Fetchez la vache said:

276bhp & Front wheel drive?

What FWD cars have more bhp than that?

Look in the nearest hedge to find one....

Some of the Autodelta Alfas... and a surpringly large number of Focus STs...

But not from the factory...

True, but that wasn't the question...

[Kieran'07]

Detuned? I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to put it back to 300bhp+ like the IS350, should you want to...

[Fetchez la vache]

Podie said:

Kubica said:

Podie said:

dougc said:

Fetchez la vache said:

276bhp & Front wheel drive?

What FWD cars have more bhp than that?

Look in the nearest hedge to find one....

Some of the Autodelta Alfas... and a surpringly large number of Focus STs...

But not from the factory...

True, but that wasn't the question...

It was inferred

[sprinter885]

Sorry, WHAT was infra red ?? Anyway, whether based on an "Oris" or not I bet it's a right larrff.