Unique collaboration of two Japanese industry giants

Of course we all know the big names of Japanese automotive manufacturers that are very global. Just say Yamaha and Toyota. First. Yamaha is a Japanese industrial giant that has a production line that can be said to be quite diverse, ranging from musical instruments, motorcycles, to engines. But this Japanese manufacturer looks not serious about making four-wheeled vehicles. Why is that so?

The legendary 1967 Toyota 2000GT or 'Japanese E-Type' turn out using Yamaha engine. (Picture from: Hemmings)

Then the second name is called Toyota. The Japanese automotive giant is very successful in producing four-wheeled vehicles. So it is not surprising if their four-wheeled vehicles can be seen pacing up and down the streets around the world. But Toyota never once intended to make a motorcycle. The same question arises, why is that?

1974 Toyota Yamahauler, a Hilux long bed version and used as a show car and appeared in various Toyota automotive advertisements at the time. (Picture from: Otomotif.Sindonews)

1974 Toyota Yamahauler in one of 
Toyota's leaflet ads in 1970s.  (Picture 
from:  SenseiAlan in Flickr)

The answer turns out that Yamaha and Toyota have proven to have unique relationships for years. Yes, this collaboration between the two Japanese industrial giants is analogous to a singer duet of different genres that produces a harmony on the stage of the show. It turns out that Yamaha is not only good at making motorbikes, it turns out they are also very skilled in making engines for four-wheeled vehicles.

As quoted of Ridepart, Yamaha has been designing and supplying engines for several Toyota production cars for years, starting from the 2000GT classic in 1967, then continued with Celica, and MR2. 

Likewise with Toyota, it was noted that in the 1970s it turned out they had created a pickup truck called Yamahauler specifically to promote the ability to transport motorbikes to its pickup model.

Precisely in 1974, Toyota introduced a long version of the Hilux pickup truck. This vehicle was intentionally made by Toyota to inaugurate a larger car which became known as the Toyota Yamahauler, this vehicle was then used widely as a show car and appeared in various Toyota automotive advertisements at the time.

Another Toyota's legendary car called Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86 used a legendary Yamaha 4A-GE engine. (Picture from: JapSpirit)

This model offers many additional features that are not available in standard trucks, such as carpeting in the bed, bucket seats with crazy 70s stripes, Cragar rims, and a custom paint job by Molly Design.

Before that, one of Toyota's legendary products, the Toyota 2000GT which also uses engines manufactured by Yamaha. These classic sports cars whose designs are similar to the Jaguar E-Type use 2M and 3M coded engines.

Toyota Celica GT-Four also used a 3S-GTE coded engine of Yamaha. (Picture from: PistonHeads)

The next engine produced by Yamaha for Toyota is the legendary 4A-GE engine. This legendary engine is used by a car that is now also becomin a legend too, the Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86. 

2005 Toyota Celica GTS used a 2ZZ-GE coded engine of Yamaha. (Picture from: JapSpirit)

This machine is so legendary and is hunted by the car enthusiasts because it has compact dimensions, relatively light weights and great power. Therefore this machine is now hunted by car enthusiasts both for racing needs and daily use.

Furthermore, the engine from Yamaha used by Toyota's car products is a machine with a 3S-GTE code. This machine is now being hunted by many people because it has a relatively light weight and has enough power to be used both for daily use or racing. This machine was once immersed in one of the legendary cars from Toyota, the Toyota Celica GT-Four.

2012 Lexus LFA used a V10 1LR-GUE engine of Yamaha. (Picture from: JapSpirit)

The collaboration between Toyota and Yamaha continues to the Toyota Celica GT-S which uses 2ZZ-GE engines. This machine is actually not only used by the Toyota Celica GT-S but also used by one of the British car brands namely Lotus through its product, Lotus Elise.

Collaboration between Yamaha and Toyota continues when Lexus LF-A is introduced, this car also uses a V10 1LR-GUE engine that was developed by Yamaha which received many awards. After success with the Lexus LF-A, Yamaha again contributed to the heart of the drive found in the Lexus IS-F, RC-F, and GS-F engine V8 2UR-GSE.

1992 Yamaha OX99-11, the first Yamaha supercar concept with a 1+1 jet fighter style seating arrangement. (Picture from: Kneeslider)

Yamaha also designed the V8 4.400cc engine for the Volvo XC90 and S80. The same engine is used by Volvo in the V8 Supercars race in Australia. In fact, the British sports car brand, Noble, uses the same drive for their product, the M600.

Then Yamaha also independently created a concept car called the Yamaha OX99-11 which was driven by a Yamaha V12 engine in 1992. The engine became the basis of the manufacturer to enter the world of Formula 1 racing as a supplier of engines to Zakspeed, Brabham, Jordan, Tyrell, and Arrows in the 1990s.

1989 Ford Taurus SHO equiped a new fuel-injected a Yamaha 3,000cc V6 was putting out 200 hp. (Picture from: CarAndDriver)

Given the history of Yamaha, which is very good at developing engines for four wheels, making one of American auto giants, Ford was interested to use Yamaha's engine. Recordedly, they pinned a Yamaha 3,000cc V6 engine in the engine room of the Ford Taurus SHO which was launched in 1989.

Yamaha Sports Ride Concept at the 44th Tokyo Motor Show 2015. (Picture from: Autoexpress)

And finally in 2015, Yamaha once again presented their 4-wheeled sports car called the Yamaha Sports Ride Concept at the 44th Tokyo Motor Show 2015. The middle-engined sports car is said to have a driver-engine relationship similar to a motorcycle. Unfortunately until now there have been no signs from Yamaha to make a production version of this beautiful sports coupe. *** [EKA [08012019] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RIDEAPART | AUTOEXPRESS | KNEESLIDER | JAPSPIRIT | PISTONHEADS | HEMMINGS | CARANDDRIVER ]

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