Toyota Unveils GT3 Race Car with Pure V8 Power, Ditches Hybrid System

Toyota revealed an exciting lineup today at their Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Japan, showcasing not only the street-legal GR GT and the revived Lexus LFA but also a dedicated race car designed exclusively for the track. With the decade-old Lexus RC F GT3 nearing retirement, anticipation is high for the arrival of the new GR GT3, though Gazoo Racing plans to debut it around 2027, coinciding with the launch of its road-going counterpart.

While the street and race versions of the GR GT share a foundation, the race car significantly diverges by eliminating the electric motor found in the road model’s transaxle. This change transforms the GT3 car into a pure V8-powered machine, equipped with a variant of Toyota’s recently developed twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter engine.

Toyota aims to keep the road-legal GR GT’s weight at or below 1,750 kilograms (3,858 pounds), but the race car will be even lighter thanks to the absence of hybrid components and a stripped-down cockpit. Still, it must comply with GT3 class regulations, which enforce a minimum weight based on balance of performance (BoP) rules. For context, the outgoing Lexus RC F GT3 weighs in at 1,250 kilograms (2,755 pounds).

The GR GT3 boasts a far more aggressive aerodynamic package, including a large rear wing and louvers on the front fenders. It departs from the road car’s rear quad exhaust arrangement in favor of a striking side-exit exhaust system, reminiscent of its predecessor. Inside, the interior is pared back to essentials, emphasizing weight savings and race readiness.

Compared to its street sibling, the race car is marginally longer, wider, and lower — measuring 188.3 inches (4,785 mm) in length, 80.7 inches (2,050 mm) across, and standing 42.9 inches (1,090 mm) tall. It rides on Rays centerlock wheels fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport track tires, replacing the five-lug wheels and Pilot Sport Cup 2 road tires of the street version. Both variants benefit from Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes at all corners.

Power figures remain undisclosed for the GR GT3, as regulations will dictate output through BoP adjustments. The road car’s engineers target a combined output of at least 641 horsepower and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque, factoring in the electric motor’s contribution.

Development and Future Prospects

With the new GT3 racer expected to hit the track no earlier than 2027, the trusty Lexus RC F GT3 will continue competing for at least one more racing season. The GR GT3 has been in the works for some time, having debuted as a concept at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon. While it echoes the design of the concept car, the production-ready race car appears significantly more aggressive and track-focused.

Toyota describes the vehicle as an “under-development prototype,” meaning specifications and features may evolve before its official racing debut.