For over a year, Toyota has been diligently developing a new automatic transmission tailored for sports vehicles. In early 2022, a GR Yaris fitted with two pedals showcased its capabilities at the Toyota Gazoo Rally Racing Challenge in Japan. After this initial debut, Toyota quickly expressed intentions to expedite the development process. The latest testing session took place in September during a Super Taikyu series event. While it's not yet on the market, Akio Toyoda assures enthusiasts that it'll be worth the anticipation.
In a discussion with Toyota Times magazine, where Toyoda hinted at the possibility of reintroducing the Celica, the chairman didn't hold back in commending the forthcoming transmission. Officially termed the "Direct Automatic Transmission", Toyoda believes the DAT "will be a game-changer for automatics." But he also cautioned that its release might be a bit distant, noting "many hurdles remain."
The erstwhile company leader elaborated, "I really want to make this happen, and for many people to drive these cars. For instance, those who only drive automatic could enjoy motorsports. They can experience the different sounds and the sensation of downshifting and upshifting." He humorously noted that DAT could also represent "Dat's Akio Toyoda!"
Akio Toyoda reflected on his own experiences, mentioning that he often feels the seconds slipping away when he's manually shifting gears in the GR Yaris race car. However, with the introduction of the DAT, he believes "there’s no time lost when shifting" allowing drivers to concentrate solely on acceleration, braking, and maneuvering.
Source: Toyota
