Toyota lands second Supercars team for 2026 season
Brad Jones Racing joins Toyota's testing team Walkinshaw Andretti United in making the jump to the GR Supra.
The outfit currently fields four Chevrolet Camaros, driven by Andre Heimgartner, Jaxon Evans, Bryce Fullwood and Macauley Jones.
The Supra model has been redesigned in-house to feature a five-litre V8 engine.
"I'm a creature of habit, and so change is not always easy," Brad Jones told Fox Sports.
"But once I met with the guys and could spend some time understanding them and they took me through their vision, it seemed very clear that this was a great opportunity I couldn't miss.
"I think Toyota will be up there or thereabouts. We need to earn our stripes and there'll be a lot of work, but it's a very exciting time for the group."
Brad Jones Racing's defection to Toyota comes amid a General Motors rebuild following competition heavyweight Triple Eight's shock move to rival Ford.
The remaining Chevrolet teams are Matt Stone Racing, PremiAir Racing, Erebus Motorsport and new homologation team Team 18.
Out of the four, only Erebus has won a drivers' and teams' championship.
General Motors are also pondering the future of the Camaro, after production ceased last year, and a possible extension to 2027 with Supercars.
Toyota will be the first manufacturer other than Ford and General Motors to race in the competition since 2019, when Nissan pulled out of the category.
The automotive giant is no stranger to Australia's touring cars circuit, with the GR Cup, featuring Toyota 86 coupes, a longtime support category on the Supercars track.
The brand also competes in many motorsport events around the world, including NASCAR and Formula Drift in the United States, Super GT and Super Formula in Japan and Formula Three in Europe.
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The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Hot water services, chalk, boots: footy greats celebrate 'spirit' of local sports clubs
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"This Good for Footy Round we celebrate all things footy, and those volunteers and the coaches and all the people that actually do things when it's absolutely pouring with rain at the junior footy club at 9am and it's 5 degrees," Taylor said. Taylor said Toyota's grassroots involvement had contributed funds for hot water services, boots and facility repairs for local clubs. Toyota has raised more than $21 million with the Good for Footy and Good for Cricket programs since 2008. Shaw, a 325 gamer, also paid tribute to local footy. "My local club was Diamond Creek and I played from under 9s all the way through so you've got the opportunity to play AFL and it starts at the grass roots. "The AFL is number one in [grassroots footy] and there's nothing they won't do to help develop young players and give everyone a chance to just kick a footy." Shaw said he would always be remembered for the smother. "To see this moment take centre stage, and for it to be selected by Toyota to inspire the next generation is really special. "I wouldn't be here without my junior footy club. I really do appreciate them and what Toyota does to contribute to community clubs across the country is incredible. That's what footy is all about," Shaw said. If it's bucketing down with rain and too nippy outside for the house moggy, you'll still find the heart of local communities beating strong. Volunteers all around Australia make their way to local junior footy clubs in rain, hail or shine to chalk up pitches, roll out the BBQ and clean kids' sports boots. It's some of those volunteers who paved the way from Diamond Creek junior footy club in north-east Melbourne to the AFL Grand Final at the MCG for Collingwood champion Heath Shaw. It comes as Shaw is recognised for an iconic moment at the 2010 Grand Final replay between Collingwood and St Kilda that enthralled fans. His dogged smother of a footy off St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt's boot that day has been immortalised in Toyota's 'Legendary Moments' ahead of the Good for Footy Round on July 4. Football great and media personality Brian Taylor credited the gritty smother to Shaw's skill and acknowledged grassroots volunteers who help kids all around Australia achieve their dreams. "This Good for Footy Round we celebrate all things footy, and those volunteers and the coaches and all the people that actually do things when it's absolutely pouring with rain at the junior footy club at 9am and it's 5 degrees," Taylor said. Taylor said Toyota's grassroots involvement had contributed funds for hot water services, boots and facility repairs for local clubs. Toyota has raised more than $21 million with the Good for Footy and Good for Cricket programs since 2008. Shaw, a 325 gamer, also paid tribute to local footy. "My local club was Diamond Creek and I played from under 9s all the way through so you've got the opportunity to play AFL and it starts at the grass roots. "The AFL is number one in [grassroots footy] and there's nothing they won't do to help develop young players and give everyone a chance to just kick a footy." Shaw said he would always be remembered for the smother. "To see this moment take centre stage, and for it to be selected by Toyota to inspire the next generation is really special. "I wouldn't be here without my junior footy club. I really do appreciate them and what Toyota does to contribute to community clubs across the country is incredible. That's what footy is all about," Shaw said. If it's bucketing down with rain and too nippy outside for the house moggy, you'll still find the heart of local communities beating strong. Volunteers all around Australia make their way to local junior footy clubs in rain, hail or shine to chalk up pitches, roll out the BBQ and clean kids' sports boots. It's some of those volunteers who paved the way from Diamond Creek junior footy club in north-east Melbourne to the AFL Grand Final at the MCG for Collingwood champion Heath Shaw. It comes as Shaw is recognised for an iconic moment at the 2010 Grand Final replay between Collingwood and St Kilda that enthralled fans. His dogged smother of a footy off St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt's boot that day has been immortalised in Toyota's 'Legendary Moments' ahead of the Good for Footy Round on July 4. Football great and media personality Brian Taylor credited the gritty smother to Shaw's skill and acknowledged grassroots volunteers who help kids all around Australia achieve their dreams. "This Good for Footy Round we celebrate all things footy, and those volunteers and the coaches and all the people that actually do things when it's absolutely pouring with rain at the junior footy club at 9am and it's 5 degrees," Taylor said. Taylor said Toyota's grassroots involvement had contributed funds for hot water services, boots and facility repairs for local clubs. Toyota has raised more than $21 million with the Good for Footy and Good for Cricket programs since 2008. Shaw, a 325 gamer, also paid tribute to local footy. "My local club was Diamond Creek and I played from under 9s all the way through so you've got the opportunity to play AFL and it starts at the grass roots. "The AFL is number one in [grassroots footy] and there's nothing they won't do to help develop young players and give everyone a chance to just kick a footy." Shaw said he would always be remembered for the smother. "To see this moment take centre stage, and for it to be selected by Toyota to inspire the next generation is really special. "I wouldn't be here without my junior footy club. I really do appreciate them and what Toyota does to contribute to community clubs across the country is incredible. That's what footy is all about," Shaw said.
Daily Telegraph
11 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
‘Mystifying indignity' of epic fuel saver
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. Aussie buyers are flocking to fuel-saving hybrids, and the ultra-efficient Hyundai i30 sedan is a new challenger to Toyota's stalwart Corolla hybrid. VALUE At about $37,000 drive-away it's not a cheap small car, but the hybrid's 3.9L/100km economy could halve fuel bills compared to a petrol-only i30 – especially for urban use. The i30 sedan has decent inclusions, but this entry-level hybrid also has misses. Good news includes 16-inch alloys, LED headlights, good quality cloth seats, 8-inch infotainment, digital instrument cluster, wireless charge pad and three USB-C outlets. Unlike non-hybrid i30 sedans, this car adds more advanced independent rear suspension, dual zone climate control and rain sensing wipers. Hyundai i30 sedan. 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The suspension's well tuned for handling/comfort balance, and response and balance on back roads is surprisingly fun-filled. Beepy driver assist aside it's a smoothie with low cabin noise on highways, but home is the urban snarl where economy gains are superb. ALTERNATIVES Toyota Corolla sedan hybrid, about $36,000 drive-away: Longstanding hybrid champ is brilliantly economical, cheap to service and offers a great driving experience, but interior is blandness personified. Mazda3, from $33,990 drive-away: No hybrid offered so fuel use is higher at 5.9L/100km, while rear seat and boot are tight. More attractive exterior and nicer, more salubrious cabin, plus excellent drive experience. City users will love miserly fuel use and EV-like slow-speed drive, but wait for higher grades for better equipment. Picture: Supplied Kia K4, from $32,990 drive-away: Loaded with kit and a seven year warranty, but engine is old and thirsty. VERDICT Three and a half stars Safety misses tarnish an otherwise excellent offering. City users will love miserly fuel use and EV-like slow-speed drive, but wait for higher grades for better equipment. HYUNDAI I30 SEDAN HYBRID PRICE: About $37,000 drive-away ENGINE: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol hybrid, 104kW/265Nm WARRANTY/SERVICING: 5 years/unlimited km, $2150 for five years/75,000km (prepaid) SAFETY: Six airbags, auto emergency braking, driver attention warning, speed limit assist, lane-keep assist, radar cruise, rear occupant alert THIRST: 3.9L/100km LUGGAGE: 474 litres SPARE: Space-saver Originally published as 'Mystifying indignity' of epic fuel saver
Courier-Mail
12 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
‘Mystifying indignity' of epic fuel saver
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. Aussie buyers are flocking to fuel-saving hybrids, and the ultra-efficient Hyundai i30 sedan is a new challenger to Toyota's stalwart Corolla hybrid. VALUE At about $37,000 drive-away it's not a cheap small car, but the hybrid's 3.9L/100km economy could halve fuel bills compared to a petrol-only i30 – especially for urban use. The i30 sedan has decent inclusions, but this entry-level hybrid also has misses. Good news includes 16-inch alloys, LED headlights, good quality cloth seats, 8-inch infotainment, digital instrument cluster, wireless charge pad and three USB-C outlets. Unlike non-hybrid i30 sedans, this car adds more advanced independent rear suspension, dual zone climate control and rain sensing wipers. Hyundai i30 sedan. Picture: Supplied MORE: China ramps up Aussie takeover But you must use the key button to open doors – there's no smart entry – then suffer the indignity of putting a metal key in an ignition, rather than pressing a start button. Mystifyingly, there's no handle to open the boot – it's only opened via the key. It's a nicely presented cabin, but hardly flash. Better-appointed Elite and Premium grades are coming soon, but prices aren't known. If you want the likes of leather heated seats, better 10.25-inch infotainment, surround view monitor and auto boot, best wait for those. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY COMFORT The sedan's body design is edgy, busy and polarising, but certainly not boring. The cabin's a more restrained effort – Obsidian black is the sole colour – so it lacks some pop. But the layout's simple and common sense – the climate and audio controls are buttons rather than through a screen – while there's a solid, chunky feel to the leather steering wheel and gear shifter. Lots of hard plastic touch points through the doors, but they're neither cheap nor scratchy. Seats are impressively sculpted and comfy, with giant robust handles for adjustment – you feel it's a well-built car. Hybrid batteries are under the rear seats, but the headroom remains good for adults, while leg room's superb. Many small cars dismiss rear occupants' comfort, buy there's air vents and two USB-C ports to go with stretch-out space. A well built car. Picture: Supplied MORE: Australia's in love with Elon again Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wins, as are clever cup holders that adjust to the size of your cup or bottle. But the infotainment screen feels a generation old and too small, and the digital dash too basic. You miss the loading convenience of a hatchback, but this sedan's 474L boot space is mighty. SAFETY A three-star safety rating's a black mark. This entry-level includes positives like advanced auto emergency braking, driver attention warning, speed limit assist, lane keep and lane follow, smart cruise control with stop and go function, front and rear parking sensors, and rear occupant alert. But there's no really useful stuff like blind spot warning or rear cross traffic alert. Both are available on key rival Toyota Corolla in a $1000 Convenience pack – Hyundai really should offer likewise. You'll also not find rear auto emergency braking nor a safe exit warning unless buying pricier i30 sedans. Toyota Corolla Hybrid sedan. But careful what you wish for. The i30 sedan's a nannying drill sergeant, bonging at you for 2 km/h over the limit or if it deems your attention isn't up to scratch. The lane follow and lane keep assist means a constant, ghostly tug at the steering wheel. You feel such systems should only be called upon in emergencies, not all the damn time. DRIVING Hyundai's hybrid system works the same way as Toyota's – no plugging in is ever required. The i30 hybrid's a silky operator in town, pulling away and doing low speed urban work in full electric mode: smooth, silent and very economical. My 430km test through city, country and highway returned 4.1L./100km. It'll hit 50km/h before the 1.6-litre petrol engine quietly chimes in and joins the 32kW electric motor for a 104kW/265Nm total. It's no thriller, but there's lively response. A longer uphill stint revealed its limitations. The 1.32kWh battery exhausted, and with no means of recharging (through braking or coasting), the petrol four-cylinder had to work hard and noisily. A three-star safety rating's a black mark. Picture: Supplied MORE: Aussies 'not ready' for advanced driver tech A dual-clutch auto gearbox is responsive and has more driver appeal than Toyota's joyless CVT auto. The suspension's well tuned for handling/comfort balance, and response and balance on back roads is surprisingly fun-filled. Beepy driver assist aside it's a smoothie with low cabin noise on highways, but home is the urban snarl where economy gains are superb. ALTERNATIVES Toyota Corolla sedan hybrid, about $36,000 drive-away: Longstanding hybrid champ is brilliantly economical, cheap to service and offers a great driving experience, but interior is blandness personified. Mazda3, from $33,990 drive-away: No hybrid offered so fuel use is higher at 5.9L/100km, while rear seat and boot are tight. More attractive exterior and nicer, more salubrious cabin, plus excellent drive experience. City users will love miserly fuel use and EV-like slow-speed drive, but wait for higher grades for better equipment. Picture: Supplied Kia K4, from $32,990 drive-away: Loaded with kit and a seven year warranty, but engine is old and thirsty. VERDICT Three and a half stars Safety misses tarnish an otherwise excellent offering. City users will love miserly fuel use and EV-like slow-speed drive, but wait for higher grades for better equipment. HYUNDAI I30 SEDAN HYBRID PRICE: About $37,000 drive-away ENGINE: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol hybrid, 104kW/265Nm WARRANTY/SERVICING: 5 years/unlimited km, $2150 for five years/75,000km (prepaid) SAFETY: Six airbags, auto emergency braking, driver attention warning, speed limit assist, lane-keep assist, radar cruise, rear occupant alert THIRST: 3.9L/100km LUGGAGE: 474 litres SPARE: Space-saver Originally published as 'Mystifying indignity' of epic fuel saver
