What was Toyotas first sports car?
The first production sports car Toyota built was the Toyota Sports 800, introduced in 1965. It marked Toyota's entry into small, driver-focused roadsters and began a long-running lineage of sportier models for the brand.
While Toyota would later captivate enthusiasts with the more famous 2000GT, the Sports 800 holds the distinction of being the marque's initial foray into dedicated sports cars. In Japan it was marketed as the Toyopet Sports 800, and in other markets it was sold as the Toyota Sports 800.
Origins: Why Toyota built a sports car
In the early 1960s Toyota sought to diversify beyond practical sedans and trucks, exploring a lightweight, affordable roadster that could broaden the brand’s appeal and showcase engineering prowess. The Sports 800 delivered nimble handling and an approachable price point, signaling Toyota’s willingness to experiment with performance-oriented design.
Design and specs at a glance
The Sports 800 was a compact, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive roadster with a small-displacement engine. Its lightweight structure and modest power emphasized driving enjoyment over raw speed, helping establish Toyota’s early footprint in the sport-compact segment.
Key facts about Toyota's first production sports car:
- Two-seat roadster launched in 1965; production ran until 1969
- Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout
- Small-displacement engine around 0.8 liters; air-cooled, flat-two configuration
- Sold in Japan as Toyopet Sports 800 and elsewhere as Toyota Sports 800
- Helped establish Toyota's early presence in the sport-compact genre
These highlights illuminate the car’s defining traits and its place in Toyota’s history.
Legacy and the path to Toyota's later sports models
The Sports 800’s modest success provided a foundation for more ambitious projects, including the iconic 2000GT, introduced in 1967 with substantial collaboration from Yamaha. The 2000GT demonstrated Toyota’s growing capability in engineering and design for higher-performance cars, a trajectory that would shape the brand for decades.
Summary
In brief, Toyota's first production sports car was the Toyota Sports 800, launched in 1965 as a compact, affordable roadster that launched the brand’s sports-car era and influenced future performance-oriented models, including the legendary 2000GT.
Did Toyota make a sports car?
Yes, Toyota has multiple sports cars, with the most prominent being the GR Supra and the GR86. The GR Supra is a performance-focused coupe with a powerful turbocharged engine, while the GR86 is a more affordable, driver-focused car known for its agile handling and sporty design. Toyota also offers the GR Yaris, a high-performance hot hatch developed with motorsport expertise, notes Toyota UK.
Toyota sports car models
- GR Supra: A high-performance sports coupe with an available 382-horsepower turbocharged inline-six engine, a rear-wheel drive system, and a finely tuned suspension.
- GR86: An affordable, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe powered by a 2.4L engine that produces 228 horsepower. It's known for its engaging and agile driving experience.
- GR Yaris: A high-performance hot hatch that was developed with the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team.
Key features
- GR Supra:
- Engine: 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six
- Performance: Capable of reaching 0−600 minus 600−60 mph in approximately 4 seconds, depending on the model.
- GR86:
- Engine: 2.4L flat-four engine
- Performance: Reaches 0−600 minus 600−60 mph in about 6.1 seconds
- Features: Available with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, comfortable seating for four, and a sporty interior design
- GR Yaris:
- Performance: Engineered with cutting-edge motorsport technology
- Drive: All-wheel drive
What was the first sports car of Toyota?
the Sports 800
With its popularity in domestic motorsports – thanks to its reliability and fuel efficiency – the Sports 800 scooped third position in the 1967 Fuji 24-hour race (fittingly behind two Toyota 2000GTs) and will be fondly remembered, not only as Toyota's first production sports car, but a real driving enthusiasts' sports ...
What was the first Toyota supercar?
Toyota 2000GT
Toyota 2000GT: The Complete History of Japan's First Supercar.
What was the top speed of the Toyota Sports 800?
96 mph
These gave the Sports 800 a higher top speed claimed at 96 mph even though its engine was inferior to its rivals'.
