Toyota Built Its Own "Mini Nürburgring" in Japan – And Debuted the Lexus TZ There

Many Malaysian car enthusiasts are familiar with Germany's legendary Nürburgring, the ultimate test for performance cars. But did you know that Toyota has created its very own "Mini Nürburgring" in Japan as part of its quest to build "ever-better cars"?

Recently, Akio Toyoda (also known as Master Driver "Morizo") personally guided the media through the Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama (TTC-S) in Aichi Prefecture. This long-awaited facility not only serves as Toyota's secret development weapon but also hosted the global debut of the all-new Lexus TZ — a fully electric flagship 7-seater SUV.

Inside Toyota's "Mini Nürburgring"

The idea for TTC-S originated from a vision Akio Toyoda had nearly 30 years ago: Why can't we have a Nürburgring of our own in Japan?

• The main test track is a demanding 5.3 km loop with a 75-metre elevation change and highly complex corners.
• The facility also includes a dedicated Dirt Course, where vehicles are pushed to the limit — sometimes even to the point of rollover — to test ultimate durability.
• The development philosophy is brutally honest: Drive hard, break it, fix it, improve it. Cars are tested to destruction on the track, repaired in the workshop below, and engineers analyse data upstairs for immediate improvements. This rapid iteration cycle is the key behind the significantly enhanced driving dynamics in modern GR and Lexus models.

Lexus TZ Global Debut: A "Driving Lounge" for the EV Era

The star of the event was the all-new Lexus TZ, Lexus' first dedicated three-row battery electric SUV. Its mission is clear: deliver the serenity of an EV while retaining the engaging driving feel of the combustion era.

• The "Driving Lounge" concept focuses on delivering genuine comfort for all passengers across three rows.
• Thoroughly developed and refined at Shimoyama, the TZ aims to be a large 7-seater that drives with agility rather than like "steering a boat".

Given the strong local demand for premium luxury SUVs and Toyota's growing push into New Energy Vehicles in Malaysia, the Lexus TZ has strong potential to arrive in our market. It could become a compelling rival to models like the BMW iX and Tesla Model X.

Beyond Cars: Toyota's "Land, Sea, and Air" Vision

Toyota also showcased its broader mobility ambitions, including helicopter rescue trials with its AeroToyota division and positioning TTC-S as a disaster response hub, highlighting the company's commitment to societal contributions beyond vehicle manufacturing.

Editor's Take

Toyota has long been known for building "indestructible" cars. With the Shimoyama test centre, the company is now clearly aiming for a much higher level of driving excitement and refinement.

The Lexus TZ represents a significant step in Toyota's electrification journey. For Malaysian consumers, knowing this flagship EV was honed on such a demanding track makes us even more eager to experience its chassis performance and ride quality.

If the Lexus TZ eventually launches in Malaysia, what price range would make your heart skip a beat?