Toyota GR GT is a flagship performance 2-door V8 that replaces the Supra.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) has just rewritten the script for its performance lineup with the world premiere of the GR GT—a new flagship coupe that firmly cements TGR’s independence and motorsport-first philosophy. This road-legal race car is more than just another sports car; it’s being heralded as the spiritual successor to the Toyota GR Supra, delivering a pure, high-performance experience unencumbered by past development partnerships.
For those who appreciated the collaborative effort behind the current, BMW-developed GR Supra, the GR GT represents an emphatic statement: this is a wholly Toyota-bred supercar, carrying the spirit of icons like the 2000GT and the Lexus LFA.
A Rare Breed: Front-Engined V8 Hybrid Power
The heart of the GR GT is what sets it apart in the modern performance landscape: a powerful, newly developed 4.0-liter, V8 twin-turbo engine paired with a single electric motor for a hybrid system.
The sheer audacity of this powertrain in a two-seater coupe cannot be overstated. In an era dominated by mid-engine layouts, smaller displacement, and pure electric powertrains, a front-engined, V8, two-seat sports car is a marvel of rare engineering. It offers a unique driving character that combines the classic long-hood proportions with modern hybrid muscle.
Key power targets (still under development) include:
- Maximum System Output: 650 PS or greater
- Maximum System Torque: 850 Nm or greater
- Top Speed: 320 km/h or greater
This massive power is channeled through a sophisticated, rear-mounted 8-speed automatic transaxle and a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, ensuring an exhilarating and balanced driving experience.
Built from the Track Up: GR GT’s Race-Bred DNA
The GR GT was conceptualized as a “road-legal race car,” a manifestation of TGR’s philosophy of making “ever-better motorsports-bred cars.” Its development was a focused, “driver-first” approach spearheaded by TMC Chairman Akio Toyoda (“Master Driver Morizo”) and a team of professional racers.
To achieve overwhelming performance and a true sense of car-driver unity, development focused relentlessly on three key elements:
- Ultimate Low Center of Gravity: The entire vehicle, from the V8 engine with dry-sump lubrication to the driver’s seating position, was meticulously positioned to be as low as possible.
- Low Weight with High Rigidity: The coupe adopts Toyota’s first all-aluminum body frame, coupled with the strategic use of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) in the body panels, resulting in a target vehicle weight of 1,750 kg or lower.
- Aerodynamic Performance: In a reverse of traditional car-making, the ideal aerodynamic performance was established first, with the exterior styling then shaped around this functional requirement.
🏁 The Race Twin: Introducing the GR GT3
In parallel with the road car, TGR is developing the GR GT3—a race car based directly on the GR GT that aims to meet the demanding FIA GT3-specifications.
This top-category customer motorsports machine embodies the same core elements of low center of gravity, high rigidity, and aerodynamic focus.
The concurrent development of the road car and the race car is a testament to the “Raceborn” approach, ensuring the GR GT has pure competition DNA baked into its core, aiming to be a car of choice for both professional and gentleman drivers who want to win.
With an anticipated launch around 2027, the Toyota GR GT is set to become the ultimate halo car for the GR brand, promising a thrilling and distinct driving machine that honors Toyota’s past while decisively charting its own future. Whether it will arrive in Malaysia is still unclear. Lexus did launch the 5.0L V8 LC here, so there’s a chance.
