Mercedes-Benz has AMG, Nissan has Nismo and even Lexus has the new F-Sport performance division, but what about Toyota? The Japanese auto giant does have a motorsport arm, Toyota Racing Development (TRD), but marketers have never really been able to capitalize on the go-fast division’s name.

That doesn't mean Toyota has completely given up one day launching its own in-house tuner, however. In fact, at last month’s 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon Toyota showed off several concepts based around its recent FT-86 sports car and wearing a new G’s logo with the words “Toyota G Sports” written beneath.

The first cars modified under the G’s branding are expected to go on sale by the middle of the year and will offer customers varying levels of performance modifications. Areas of their cars customers will be able to modify include the interior, exterior, suspension and powertrain.

This will be in addition to the customization programs offered by Modelista and TRD, however, all three divisions will work closely together in order to produce unique parts.

[Inside Line]