Toyota in 2018: our best moments

It’s said that time flies when you’re having fun. On the strength of what we’ve experienced during 2018, we certainly agree with that statement. And now as we prepare to move into 2019, we wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on the year that’s passed and recall our highlights.

This time we have decided to stop off at each month and pick one or two gems that remind us of the enthusiasm felt across the world for the Toyota brand. Click on the bold links to be taken directly to the story and learn more.

We hope you enjoy remembering our highlights as much as we did in putting them together for the blog. See you again in 2019!

Best of Toyota 2018: January

Fernando Alonso joins Toyota Gazoo Racing

What a start to the year! The double F1 world champion, Fernando Alonso, was confirmed in Toyota Gazoo Racing’s driver line-up within the World Endurance Championship. The highlight of this was, of course, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Can you remember how that turned out?

Best of Toyota 2018: February

Meet Banjo, the Toyota GB Guide Dog puppy

In February we proudly presented Banjo, one of four puppies that Toyota GB would be supporting throughout their Guide Dog training. This post explained how Banjo would go from being an adorable puppy to an impeccably trained partner for life.

Best of Toyota 2018: March

Toyota GR Supra Racing concept revealed

The unveiling of this concept at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show not only revived the name and spirit of the most celebrated model in Toyota’s sportscar heritage but demonstrated our commitment to bring Supra back to the market.

Best of Toyota 2018: April

Yaris GRMN takes on the Pomeroy Trophy

When the engineers of Toyota Gazoo Racing built the Yaris GRMN hot hatch, they probably expected people to take them on track. But they probably didn’t expect a day like this, where veteran vehicles were able to compete head-to-head with modern machines.

Best of Toyota 2018: May

Toyota president Akio Toyoda honoured with the Issigonis Trophy

Nine years after taking up the position as president of Toyota Motor Corporation, Akio Toyoda was presented with the Issigonis Trophy, the most prestigious personal honour awarded by the world’s oldest automotive magazine.

See also: Fergus McIver, resto-modder

Best of Toyota 2018: June

Toyota Gazoo Racing wins the 24 Hours of Le Mans

No Toyota-related story of 2018 would be complete without including our historic first victory in the world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans. It may have taken 20 attempts but this year’s achievement saw the two TS050 Hybrid models take the chequered flag in first and second place.

In fact, so delighted were we that we created three GT86 tributes to previous Toyota Le Mans legends…

Best of Toyota 2018: July

Five generations of Supra together for the first time

During the long weekend of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Toyota invited a group of Supra super-fans to an evening with Tetsuya Tada. This top secret, invite-only event allowed the chief engineer of the new A90 Supra to personally introduce the camouflaged prototype.

Best of Toyota 2018: August

Liverpool plays host to drifting royalty

A decade after being named European Capital of Culture, Liverpool played host to a form of motorsport that is rapidly creating a culture of its own. Norwegian drift-king and Toyota ambassador Fredric Aasbø was invited to bring his GT86 and take part in a special street-drifting event.

Best of Toyota 2018: September

Speedworks Motorsport retains its touring car titles

After three victories, nine podium finishes, five fastest laps and no less than 171 crowd-pleasing overtaking moves, Toyota Avensis driver Tom Ingram and his Speedworks Motorsport team successfully defended their BTCC independents titles.

Best of Toyota 2018: October

Limited edition Hilux marks 50 years of Toyota’s invincible pick-up

There was lots to choose from in October but we felt that after 50 years of over-achieving it was worth celebrating the half-century of Hilux in style. So we joined forces with Arctic Trucks – the same company that had previously helped the model conquer the Poles – to create this special Invincible 50 limited edition.

Best of Toyota 2018: November

All-new Toyota Corolla to compete in the BTCC

News that the all-new Corolla and Team Toyota GB would be returning to the British Touring Car Championship with Speedworks Motorsport went down a storm in November. It brought back many memories of the back-to-back titles achieved by Chris Hodgetts in the classic Corolla GT Coupe in 1986-87 seasons.

Best of Toyota 2018: December

Toyota GB launches limited edition Supra wrapping paper

Just when you thought you’d seen enough of the new Supra’s camouflage wrap, Toyota GB took the initiative to produce a limited run of wrapping paper in exactly the same dazzle pattern. All proceeds went to charity and we’re sure that a lot of fun was had concealing the identity of your gifts.