On 5 December 2025, Toyota officially unveiled the GR GT, its long-rumoured flagship supercar under the performance division Gazoo Racing (GR).
The GR GT marks a clear statement of intent: Toyota is no longer content with reliable family cars and hot-hatches. It wants a seat at the table of elite supercar makers.
Engineering at the Limit: Powertrain, Chassis and Hybrid Performance
Under the long bonnet lies Toyota's first twin-turbo V8 for a production vehicle: a 4.0-litre engine with dry-sump lubrication, coupled to a hybrid system via a rear-mounted eight-speed automatic transaxle.
That transaxle integrates a single electric motor, paired with a mechanical limited-slip differential. Together the system promises at least 641 bhp and 627 lb-ft of torque, figures that place GR GT firmly in supercar territory. Toyota expects the car to exceed 199 mph.
Beneath the surface, the GR GT is built on an all-aluminium space-frame chassis. To cut weight and lower the centre of gravity, body panels, including hood, roof and rear bulkhead, use carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP). The suspension uses double-wishbone geometry (front and rear), combined with carbon-ceramic brakes and wide Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres. Toyota aims for a curb weight around 1,750 kg, respectable given the powertrain and hybrid hardware.
Together, these engineering choices point to a car designed not just for showroom flash, but for real-world performance, whether on road or track.
Heritage Revived from 2000GT and LFA to GR GT
The GR GT is more than a new model; it's a conscious revival of Toyota's most storied performance heritage. It draws direct lineage from the classic Toyota 2000GT of the 1960s, Japan's first real sports-car benchmark, and the limited-run Lexus LFA of the early 2010s, both revered for their engineering daring and exotic appeal.
Toyota seems determined to recapture that magic, but with 21st-century technology: hybrid power, motorsport-grade mechanics, and global supercar ambition.
For enthusiasts, GR GT may represent the true successor to those icons, not a diluted performance car, but a genuine contender for the pinnacle of GT engineering.
Why Europe Should Take Note and Why GR GT Matters Globally
European GTs face a new rival
By combining hybrid-V8 grunt, modern chassis engineering, and Toyota's manufacturing scale, the GR GT threatens to upset the established hierarchy of European GT/supercar makers. Cars like the AMG GT may now face a formidable opponent from Japan. The GR GT marries exotic car aspiration with reliability reputation, a balance many European rivals struggle to offer.
A modern answer to regulation and emissions pressures
As global emissions laws tighten and many high-end manufacturers pivot to full electrification, Toyota's hybrid V8 approach offers a pragmatic middle ground: retaining the visceral, mechanical soul of a supercar, while mitigating environmental concerns and future-proofing compliance. The GR GT may well be a blueprint for the next generation of performance cars.
Global ambition: not just a Japanese niche
Toyota is positioning GR GT as a global supercar. With GR's growing presence worldwide — and the car likely arriving in international markets, the GR GT has potential appeal far beyond Japan. For many aspiring supercar owners, especially those prioritising reliability, maintenance, and long-term usability, this could be the most viable exotic on the market.
The Gamble: Will GR GT Deliver or Disappoint?
Of course, risks remain. Hybrid systems add complexity, and integrating electric motors with V8 power could compromise reliability. The ambitious weight targets may balloon as extra systems are added. And supercar purists may scoff at Toyota's heritage, after all, the LFA had limited success, and the original 2000GT was never mass-produced.
Furthermore, pricing remains speculative. Some reports suggest a ballpark US-price around US $350,000–400,000, which would translate to mid-to-high six-figure pricing in pounds, putting GR GT into rarefied territory where brand heritage and prestige often matter more than performance statistics.
Whether GR GT can truly compete with Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin or Porsche, not just on paper, but in brand aura, remains to be seen.
