Toyota Shows GR Corolla Rally Concept, Do-it-all Trucks at SEMA
Once again, Toyota is grabbing plenty of spotlight at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. For the 2022 edition taking place this week, the automaker has a dozen concepts and special builds on hand.
You’ll find them all in the photo gallery above, but let’s focus on a pair that stands out from the rest.
- Also: 2023 Toyota GR Corolla: Irresistible Little Devil
- Also: 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Priced Way Out of Typical Corolla Territory
GR Corolla Rally Concept
We’ll start with the brand new 2023 GR Corolla turned into the ultimate rally car. Naturally, this concept is inspired by the Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Yaris Rally1 World Rally Championship racer.
Toyota fabricated an aggressive wide body configuration with massive three-inch fender flares made from 20-gauge steel and integrated carbon composite side skirts. Huge vents in the front and rear fenders direct and exhaust dirty air from the wheel openings, and the fenders are aerodynamically designed to create maximum downforce. More aero and downforce advantages come by way of a carbon composite front splitter with a 4.5-inch overall length (not sure how it would hold up in a rally).
The team custom-designed functional rear quarter windows with vents directing air to the custom oil and transmission coolers mounted in the interior, just behind the driver and navigator. The 17-inch OZ Racing wheels are nice and the rear wing is ginormous, but sadly Toyota didn’t tweak the 300-horsepower engine even a little bit. On the other hand, the rear brakes gain a second set of callipers.
Inside, Toyota added only what a rally crew needs and modified the rear seats to fit the roll cage and spare tire. With the addition of the turning brake system, they slightly relocated the standard six-speed manual shifter to provide optimal driver ergonomics.
Sequoia TRD Pro Adventurer
Together with Westcott Designs in Phoenix, Arizona, Toyota came up with a rugged and extremely versatile 2023 Sequoia that should have overlanding and outdoor sports enthusiasts pretty excited.
Unsurprisingly based on the TRD Pro model, this other concept features a custom lift kit providing 3 inches of front and 1.75 inches of rear lift. The specially beefed-up suspension is anchored by 17-inch wheels on Nitto Recon Grapplers A/T all-terrain tires. Elsewhere, a plethora of Rigid Industries lights ensure optimum lighting at night or in dark, remote trails.
There’s a Go Fast Campers pop-up tent and mountain bike racks on the roof, while in the rear you’ll find a hatch ladder along with a modular, hitch-mounted rack to carry provisions or toys, such as a Kawasaki 550 stand-up Jet Ski.
We always wonder just how many people could actually want and use a vehicle like this one, but everyone can dream of adventure, right?