Nobuaki Katayama

Previously, he was an engineer on the AE86 project,[1] and also worked for four years on Toyota Motorsports' World Rally Championship and Le Mans programs.

[2] Katayama joined Toyota Motor Corporation in 1970, where he spent years working in manual transmission design.

[2] From 1994 onward, he worked as the chief engineer of the fourth generation of the Toyota Supra performance coupe.

[2] In doing so, Katayama utilized the suspension system of the larger Lexus GS performance sedans, chronometer instrument displays, and drilled aluminum throttle, brake, and accelerator pedals.

[3] The resulting design received critical acclaim at its 1998 launch, and was awarded Japan's "Car of the Year" honor for 1998-1999.