Toyota unveils two new supercars and a race car

The company revealed the V8-powered GR GT supercar, the GR GT3 race car, and the Lexus LFA Concept electric car.

*Toyota has unveiled (l-r) the Lexus LFA Concept, GR GT3 and GR GT. – Toyota photo*

Toyota Motor Company is racing full throttle into the world of high-end super sports cars.

The Japanese automaker unveiled three new flagship models, the GR GT, GR GT3 and Lexus LFA Concept, each one resembling the others but each with a different purpose.

And none of the cars wears the Toyota badge. GR stands for Gazoo Racing and two of the cars are simply badged GR.

“The three unveiled models are being positioned as TMC’s flagship sports cars, in the footsteps of the Toyota 2000GT and Lexus LFA,” the company said in a news release. “They embody ‘Toyota’s Shikinen Sengu’ through the making of sports cars by preserving and passing on to the next generation fundamental car-making skills and incorporating new technologies.”

The term Shikinen Sengu refers to a traditional Japanese shrine ritual that sees a Shinto shrine’s core structures and elements rebuilt every few decades.

Toyota said the three cars are being developed together under a shared philosophy centred on three key elements: a low centre of gravity, low weight with high rigidity, and the pursuit of aerodynamic performance. The cars are still being developed so some details may still change.

The two GR cars have gasoline-burning engines up front while the Lexus concept is an electric vehicle.

GR GT3 and GR GT — *The GR GT (right) is a road-legal sports car and the GT3 is an FIA GT3-spec car based on the GT. – Toyota photo*

GR GT and GT3

The GR GT is the company’s new flagship road-legal sports car while the GT3 is a GT-based FIA GT3-spec race car.

Both models have an all-aluminum body frame and are powered by a 4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine.

GR GT

The GR GT features a hybrid powertrain that pairs the V8 engine with a single electric motor, for a power output of 641 hp (650 PS) and 627 lb.-ft. (850 Nm), or more, of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels.

The GT weighs 1,750 kilograms or less.

GR GT rear — *The GR GT has a hybrid powertrain. – Toyota photo*

The GT will exceed a top speed of 320 km/h.

The automaker said the exterior was designed first for aerodynamic performance followed by styling design.

GR GT interior — *The GR GT was created to give the driver an optimal driving position. – Toyota photo*

On the inside, the two-seater was designed for ergonomics with the aim of giving the driver an optimal driving position from a professional driver’s perspective and the visibility they need when pushing the car to the limit.

This is Toyota’s first application of an all-aluminum body frame. The car also utilizes carbon fibre reinforced plastic, plastic and other elements for a strong and light body, the company said.

GR GT3

Toyota said the GT3 meets Federation Internationale d’Automobile (FIA) GT3 specs. The FIA’s GT3 category is the top category for production-vehicle based customer motorsports.

The GR GT and GT3 are still prototypes that remain under development.

Toyota intends to launch both GR cars around 2027 and will release more details as they become available.

Lexus LFA Concept

The Lexus LFA Concept shares core technologies with the two GR cars, but was created to explore the potential of battery-electric vehicles as sports cars.

The LFA Concept also has a light, high-rigidity all-aluminum body frame.

Lexus LFA Concept steering wheel — *The Lexus LFA Concept is a two-seater. – Toyota photo*

The driver’s position, like in the GR cars, is intended to be in the ideal position.

Toyota said the LFA Concept’s design balances refined beauty and maximum performance.

Lexus LFA Concept rear — *There are no exhaust pipes on the Lexus LFA Concept. – Toyota photo*

Toyota did not provide any powertrain specs or performance numbers for the LFA Concept. Right now, the car remains a concept vehicle.

Toyota did not specify if any of the unveiled vehicles would be available in Canada.