Hyundai and Toyota are joining forces to present a motorsport extravaganza like no other: the inaugural Hyundai N x TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival. Set to take place at the Everland Speedway in Yong-in, South Korea, this event is all about showcasing high-performance cars, racing talent, and an unwavering passion for motorsport.

Hyundai and Toyota may be fierce rivals on the track, but this time they’re coming together to give Korean motorsport fans a spectacle worth remembering. The event will feature demo drives, test rides, and rally-style exhibitions, complete with World Rally Championship (WRC) cars and the drivers who make them fly.

And speaking of big names, Hyundai’s Executive Chair Euisun Chung and Toyota’s Chairman Akio Toyoda will be there in person. 

Hyundai N will be rolling out the big guns from its WRC program, including the i20 N Rally 1 Hybrid and i20 N Rally 2. On hand to wrangle these beasts will be WRC legends Thierry Neuville, Dani Sordo, and Andreas Mikkelsen.

TCR drivers Norbert Mischelisz and Mikel Azcona will put Hyundai N’s production lineup, including the IONIQ 5 N and Elantra N, through their paces.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is coming in strong with the GR YARIS Rally 1 Hybrid, GR Supra, GR86, and the GR Yaris Rally 2. With WRC ace Takamoto Katsuta and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team principal Jari-Matti Latvala in the driver’s seat, you can bet Toyota’s racing arsenal will be on full display.

Nine-time Japan Rally Champion Norihiko Katsuta will also be there, showing that motorsport runs deep in the Katsuta bloodline.

Hyundai will be giving us a peek at what’s to come with the IONIQ 5 N Drift Spec and the hydrogen-powered N Vision 74, while Toyota will showcase its own hydrogen combustion tech with the AE86 H2 Concept.

As Hyundai’s Executive Vice President Yeong Ho Lee put it, “This event will emphasise the fierce competition and friendship that coexist in motorsport… it’s a chance to showcase the shared passion for cars between Hyundai and Toyota.”

Toyota Motor Korea’s CEO, Manabu Konyama, echoed the sentiment: “Toyota remains committed to furthering and strengthening motorsports culture, and we’re glad to be working alongside Hyundai N to give fans a chance to experience car culture beyond the racetrack.”

For all the details on the Hyundai N x TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival, and to stay updated on what’s in store, head to the official website or follow Hyundai N and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing on social media.

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If you think that “Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition” is a mouthful, we agree.

It’s been 100 years since the famed French 24 hours race was first run back in 1923, and to mark this momentous occasion, Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), Toyota, Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) and Mazda Motor Corporation jointly held an exhibit called “Japan. Endless Discovery.” where this hotted-up concept Prius was unveiled to the world at the Manufacturers’ Village at Le Mans in France.

Notable improvements seen here include improved aerodynamics and traction by way of exclusive performance aerodynamic parts (side skirts, canards, large rear wing, rear diffuser, etc.), lightweight carbon-fibre bonnet, wide-track suspension, 235/50R18 tyres and exclusive aerodynamic wheels, and multi-headlamps for improved nighttime visibility.

This concept Prius takes inspiration from TGR’s WEC-competing GR010 HYBRID race car.

If you’re wondering why Mazda is also involved in this exhibition, it’s because back in 1991, Mazda was the first Japanese manufacturer to take the overall title at Le Mans, so they definitely have some standing here. Currently, TGR is the only Japanese automaker in the French endurance race that’s also on a five-year winning streak.

See the manga on the walls behind the cars? That’s the work of manga artist Masahito Soda, renown for his motorsports-themed capeta manga series, and was given the honour of conveying the scenery and culture of Japan as well as the history of Mazda and Toyota at Le Mans through his art form.

“For me, a race fan for as long as I can remember, June is a special month every year. It was fun for me to reflect on the famous scenes so far and to draw while imbuing my pen with respect. To the great Le Mans 24 Hours, which marks its centenary, to Mazda, which was the first Japanese manufacturer to win Le Mans, to TGR, which is contributing to the world through its victories in Le Mans and other motorsports events, and to all the racing drivers who continue to inspire us, I would like to say: ‘Thank you very much.’ I have learned a great deal from Japanese craftmanship and the attitude of taking on challenges while never giving up, especially since I became a manga artist. Toward the realization of a carbon-neutral society and the taking on of new challenges for the future, I believe that this race will surely open up a world of possibilities. I will put everything I have into supporting it again this year,” said Masahito Soda who is also car enthusiast at heart.

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