Test Driver, Toyota Motor Corporation Hiromu Naruse
＜Profile＞
Hiromu Naruse has had a unique career. After joining Toyota Motor Corporation in 1963, he was first employed as a temporary employee in the Vehicle Evaluation and Engineering Division of Toyota. (At the time, Naruse held numerous qualifications. In addition to being a certified auto mechanic, he also held a level-2 certificate for the abacus and was nearly placed in the Accounting Division). Naruse worked his way up through the ranks to become a test driver. During the first 10 years after joining Toyota, he was involved in motorsports projects, and headed up production of the Toyota 7 and Toyota 2000GT. In 1970, Naruse was stationed in Switzerland where he was involved in the formative years of Toyota Motorsports, including Japan’s first participation in the Nürburgring and Spa-Francorchamps races. He influenced development of all the sporty mass-production vehicles from the Toyota 2000GT to the MR-S, and has racked up more years of experience and logged more miles on the holy ground of vehicle development, Nürburgring (Germany), than any other Japanese. Even Ferrari acknowledges his expertise, giving him the nickname “Nur Meister (One and Only Master Craftsman)” and referring to him as the “man who knows all the world’s roads.” Although Naruse is now over 65, he continues to conduct road tests on the autobahn and drives through mountainous areas with his wife on his days off to keep up his driving skills. He is a kind but uncompromising, tireless worker, and numerous automobile journalists count themselves among his fans.
Created as a compact sports car, its market launch coincided with the 1965 race season. It debuted as non-production model from Engineering Division 7 of Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. and in spite of its lower-end specs, it is well known for competing in numerous impressive races with its rival, the Honda S600/S800.
Toyota offered the production model 1600GT in response to a market demand for a truly sporty car. Although it possessed the Corona hardtop, the 9R DOHC engine developed by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. set it apart from the Corona. A race model was also developed, equipped with many special features, such as a five-speed gearbox and Toyota customized parts.
This sports car measured up to international standards in both performance and styling. Yamaha oversaw engine development and also provided the superbly crafted body. During the period from its unveiling to its launch, the car established various records in motor sports, including setting a world speed record.
This two-seater racing car was revealed in 1968 with the aim of channeling Toyota’s racing experience into a production car. The year following its debut, it took 3rd place in a racing competition, and in 1970, a new 7 equipped with a turbocharged, five-liter engine was ready for the Japanese Grand Prix. Unfortunately, the 800ps “monster” never got a chance to flex its muscles due to the cancellation of the race.
This was the first domestically produced specialty car, debuting in December 1970. It had a slim, two-door coupe body with a long nose and short trunk base, which it shared with the Family Saloon and Carina launched at the same time.
This car got its name by taking the first letters of the phrase “Mid-ship Runabout 2-seater.” It was the first car in Japan to have a mid-ship engine design and was developed for young drivers particular about enjoying the driving experience. Its low-nosed front was equipped with retractable headlights, and its overall style exuded sportiness.
The Supra aimed to be a genuine super sports car and underwent its first complete redesign in May 1993. It had a low, wide shape and an ultra-curvy body. The aggressive, captivating styling gave it a striking appearance, including the large, optional rear-wing spoiler. The Supra offered buyers a conventional sports car without the high-tech equipment.
In November 1998, this car debuted as a genuine sports sedan for sporty drivers who had long-awaited a front engine, rear-wheel drive car, which had not been produced for some time in Japan. The engine aside, it employed the Progres platform with a shortened wheelbase of 110mm, and sported a slightly larger tread. The overall body width was increased, placing it in a larger class size.
In October 1999, this car debuted as Toyota’s new mid-ship sports car and replaced the MR2, which had been produced for about 10 years. The rear wheel drive was transversely placed behind the driver and passenger. The MR-S was a sports car that emphasized drivability and sought to provide nimble steering over power.
The world’s first mass-production hybrid car, the Prius, underwent a complete redesign in 2003. The second generation Prius debuted on September 1, 2003. It achieved 29.6km/L (based on the 10-15 Japanese test cycle) and was the first vehicle to accomplish “FY2015 Fuel Efficiency Standards” in accordance with the Law Concerning the Rational Use of Energy. Its motor output and efficiency were increased to provide power performance on par with a two-liter vehicle.
