Toyota launches GR KART to increase motorsports accessibility

Toyota Gazoo Racing (GR) has launched the GR KART, an entry-level racing kart designed to make motorsports more accessible to children and families. The vehicle is priced at 385,000 yen and is intended to serve as a gateway to racing culture, a goal championed by Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, known as ‘Morizo’.

Produced at the Gamagori GR KART Workshop in Aichi Prefecture using Toyota Production System principles, the kart features several design elements aimed at ease of use and storage. It is compact enough to fit directly into mid-sized MPVs like the Toyota Noah or Voxy without disassembly. The design also allows for upright storage even with fuel and oil remaining in the vehicle.

Technical specifications include a 215cc engine, a belt-drive system to eliminate chain maintenance, and an adjustable driving position to accommodate heights from 135cm to 185cm. This adjustability allows a single kart to be shared by multiple family members. The vehicle is strictly for closed-track use and is currently available at select Japanese kart tracks and GR Garages.