While Toyota was known for providing entry-level enthusiast machines for a long, long time, for a while, the brand sort of lost its way. Don't get me wrong, there were some options out there, but they were few and far between, and the enthusiast world suffered as a result.
Lately, that's changed, and Toyota's put more emphasis on fun things, including the new GR Corolla, the Toyobarus, a forthcoming Celica, the Tacoma and Land Cruisers, and the Scion UTV concept, as well as teasing a possible Hilux Champ that could, theoretically, come to the U.S. as a UTV, too. Everything is pointing toward a resurgent enthusiast Toyota HQ, one that prioritizes fun and accessibility over everything else.
And the brand's latest offering is one that not only speaks to RideApart's audience in its engine choice, but also to the fun-loving and inexpensive-needing desires. Allow me to introduce the GR Kart, a go-kart that aims to bring more folks into the fold of racing, while doing so on such a budget that the entry price is less than Apple's new iPhone Duo.
Nice.
"Racing karts offer the thrill of controlling a vehicle hands-on," starts the Toyota press release, adding, "But hurdles such as kart costs, transportation, storage, and maintenance await those who want to get into karting. By offering a price point and system for the GR KART that makes competing easier, GR aims to make direct involvement in motorsports possible for more people."
So let's talk about how the GR Kart solves all that.
First and foremost, it's gonna cost just $2,500 (when converted from yen). That's dirt cheap in the world of racing karts, and offers families the ability to give their kid (or their parent) the ability to get racing and get racing now when everything else is so damn expensive. Second, it's powered by a four-stroke, 215cc carburetated single-cylinder engine that comes with an electric start, a belt drive, a fully adjustable seating position, steering hub, and pedal box, and not only can it fit inside one of Toyota's vans, it can also be stored vertically so it doesn't take up much room in your garage. There is, however, a catch. And it's, unfortunately, a big one.
At present, Toyota ain't going to sell it out of Japan. Yes, it's a JDM kart. But given the massive swell in racing and getting outside throughout the world, all thanks to Covid, Netflix's Drive to Survive, and a general return to racing awareness, as well as Toyota's own push for enhanced enthusiasm, maybe, just maybe, Toyota could bring it here. Fingers, toes, and eyes crossed, cause this would be a riot for both parents and youths alike.
