Toyota GR GT and GT3 racing variant unveiled

After months of teasing, with a public demonstration held at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, Toyota has officially taken the wraps off of the new Toyota Gazoo Racing GT and its racing variant.

The GR GT and GR GT3 exemplify Toyota Gazoo Racing’s commitment to producing motorsports-inspired vehicles that place the brand at the forefront of competition, which the brand views as R&D.

Spearheaded by TMC Chairman Akio Toyoda (Master Driver Morizo), their development united pro racers Tatsuya Kataoka, Hiroaki Ishiura, Naoya Gamou, gentleman driver Daisuke Toyoda, engineers, and Toyota’s line-up of developmental drivers.

The GR GT emphasizes a driver-centered design, while the GR GT3, its racing counterpart, upholds the same philosophy, ready to compete at the highest levels of sports car racing.

Drawing on the legacy of the Toyota 2000GT and Lexus LFA, these models pass down Toyota’s “secret sauce” of craftsmanship, reflecting the Shikinen Sengu tradition. They merge the expertise of Lexus LFA veterans with fresh engineer talent, incorporate distinctive Toyota innovations, and take on bold challenges.

Designed as a street-legal race car focused on driver engagement, the GR GT delivers not only peak dynamic performance but an enduring car-driver bond.

Its hybrid powertrain pairs a new 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo with an electric motor, aiming for over 650 PS and 850 Nm of torque. The architecture emphasizes a low center of gravity, a lightweight yet rigid build, and advanced aerodynamics. Aerodynamics play a crucial role in the GT’s performance, amped up to 11 in the GT3.

A hallmark of the GR GT is its lightweight, stiff chassis, featuring Toyota’s first all-aluminum body frame. The use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), plastics, and other materials in the panels creates a durable, light structure.

An 8-speed automatic transaxle transmission transfers power to the rear wheels,

and the front mid-ship twin-turbo V8 features hot side – inside turbo technology i.e. the turbos are placed in the valley of the V, allowing for a shorter manifold to deliver instantaneous response.

To augment the street car’s performance better, a hybrid electric motor mated to the transaxle gives added assistance especially low down the RPM range. Combined total system output is pegged at 640hp and as much as 850 Newton-Meters of torque, propelling the GT to a 320kmh or better top speed.

Rolling stock consists of staggered 20-inch wheels with 265/35R20 fronts and 325/30R20 rear Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2’s.

Suspension on the other hand is straight out of motorsports: double wishbone front and rear with carbon ceramic brake discs for light weight, clamped down by massive front brake calipers.