Toyota has been running on a brand new automated transmission for sports activities automobiles for over a 12 months. In early 2022, a GR Yaris with two pedals made an look on the Toyota Gazoo Rally Racing Problem held in Japan. In a while after its first day trip, the automaker introduced plans to hurry up construction. It used to be maximum just lately examined in September at an tournament a part of the Tremendous Taikyu collection. It is nonetheless now not in the stores however Akio Toyoda suggests it’ll be smartly definitely worth the wait.

As a part of the similar interview with Toyota Occasions mag all the way through which he hinted at a revival of the Celica, the corporate’s chairman praised the impending slushbox. Recognized through its legitimate title because the “Direct Automated Transmission,” the brand new DAT “will probably be a game-changer for automatics.” Alternatively, it is most likely now not popping out anytime quickly because the ex-Toyota President and CEO mentioned “many hurdles stay.”

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The previous head honcho went on to mention: “I in point of fact need to make this occur, and for many of us to pressure those automobiles. As an example, those that most effective pressure automated may experience motorsports. They are able to enjoy the other sounds and the feeling of downshifting and upshifting.” He jokingly discussed DAT additionally stands for “Dat’s Akio Toyoda!”

Akio Toyoda says he is dropping valuable time on every occasion he is transferring gears within the GR Yaris race automotive with the handbook transmission however that would not be the case with an auto-equipped model. With DAT, “there’s no time misplaced when transferring” and he can center of attention on accelerating, braking, and guidance.

It is too quickly to mention whether or not Toyota intends to supply the DAT on different GR-badged fashions. As a refresher, the GR 86 is optionally to be had with a six-speed auto whilst the GR Corolla comes completely with a grasp pedal. The GR Supra will also be had with an eight-speed engineered through ZF however tailored for the BMW Z4-based coupe.