Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) has lifted the covers on two highly anticipated prototypes – the GR GT and GR GT3 – heralding a daring new era for the marque’s performance and motorsport ambitions.
These models represent Toyota’s most advanced expression of its “driver-first” ethos, introducing technologies never before featured in a production Toyota and poised to become pillars of its performance line-up.
Echoing the legacy of icons such as the Toyota 2000GT and Lexus LFA, the GR GT and GR GT3 fuse racing know-how with state-of-the-art engineering. Both were conceived around three core principles: an ultra-low centre of gravity, lightweight yet rigid construction, and aerodynamics prioritised ahead of styling. This philosophy has culminated in Toyota’s first all-aluminium body frame and a newly developed 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, remarkably compact to allow unprecedented packaging flexibility.
Development was spearheaded by TMC Chairman Akio Toyoda – known as Master Driver “Morizo” – working closely with professional racers, gentleman drivers, and Toyota’s elite evaluation team. This hands-on approach ensured every decision was rooted in motorsport experience.
The GR GT, a road-legal racing machine, embodies this vision in a form suited to both track and everyday driving. Its low-slung profile results from optimising the driver’s position, with all major components – from the engine to the hybrid system – arranged around this focal point. Power is delivered by a hybrid 4.0-litre V8 producing over 470 kW and 850 Nm of torque, channelled through a rear transaxle and an all-new eight-speed automatic gearbox. Aerodynamics dictated the design, yielding a purposeful silhouette with vast intakes, extensive cooling ducts, and a rear section honed for stability at speeds beyond 320 km/h.
Inside, the cockpit is unapologetically driver-centric, with controls and displays positioned for intuitive use at high speed. The chassis marries an aluminium frame with carbon fibre-reinforced panels, double-wishbone suspension, and bespoke Michelin tyres. Brembo carbon brakes and multi-stage stability systems complete a package engineered for precision without sacrificing everyday usability.
The GR GT3 takes these innovations fully into the realm of motorsport. Built to FIA GT3 regulations, it delivers uncompromising track performance while remaining approachable for drivers of varying skill levels. Sharing the GR GT’s low centre of gravity, lightweight architecture, hybrid V8, and aero-first design, the GT3 variant focuses on extreme handling, thermal management, and endurance. Toyota will back this with a robust customer racing support programme, offering teams access to proven engineering and development insights.
Both models have undergone exhaustive refinement through advanced simulation, real-world road trials, and track testing at venues such as Fuji Speedway and the Nürburgring Nordschleife. A relentless “drive to failure, refine, repeat” philosophy ensured every weakness was eliminated. Particular attention was paid to the hybrid V8’s acoustic character, creating a soundtrack that conveys performance and engine behaviour directly to the driver.
With launch expected in 2027, the GR GT and GR GT3 are more than halo cars – they represent a generational handover, carrying decades of Toyota’s racing expertise into the future. They signal the next chapter of Toyota performance, blending motorsport DNA with everyday practicality and an unwavering focus on the driver.
Staff Writer
Reporting from the front lines of the automotive industry, delivering expert analysis and the technical updates that drive the South African motor sector forward.
