Toyota has showcased its new testing initiatives at the Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama (TTC-S). The end-to-end development approach includes a cycle of high-intensity driving, intentional breaking (yes, ‘breaking,’ not ‘braking’), and rapid on-site fixing to prepare cars for real-world use.
The showcase highlighted the Lexus TZ, the first product of this development system. The three-row electric SUV was officially unveiled on May 7, and is expected to roll out later in 2026 for the Japanese market, and 2027 for other countries.
The TTC-S was built with inspiration from the Nürburging, specifically with how manufacturers test cars on it—driving on demanding roads, identifying failures, making on-the-spot repairs, going back to driving, and repeat.
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Toyota Motor Corporation chairman Akio Toyoda wanted to enable this kind of development approach in Japan. Underlying the philosophy with the late test driver Hiroshi Naruse’s belief that “roads build cars.”
Commencing full operations in 2024, the TTC-S has an open-plan layout, allowing for the entire development center to be laid out in one site. It has a ‘country road’ test loop—a 5.3km track with 75 meters of elevation change, a high-speed test course, a dirt course for rally and off-road testing, and a maintenance floor that can accommodate 40 vehicles at a time and has direct access to the test courses.
Additionally, there’s also a planning and engineering floor where engineers analyze data and improvement measures, and a design floor where in-depth vehicle design refinement is carried out with digital reviews and life-size clay models.
Toyota says that by repeatedly driving on the course, repairing in the garage, analyzing on the floors above, and returning to the course, both the cars and the people who develop them are continuously refined.
Toyota also showcased the Lexus TZ as one of the first cars developed at the TTC-S. The TZ is based on a ‘Driving Lounge’ concept, which provides premium space for all occupants in the cabin to enjoy. Toyota notes that the TZ is Lexus’ first three-row BEV, combining a comfortable space with high-level driving performance.
Overall the TTC-S has over 650 hectares of land. The facilities take up 159 hectares, while 386 hectares are for preserved trees and greenery, and the remaining hectares for roads, reservoirs, and developed green spaces.
