Heading: Toyota’s Commitment to Motorsports
Toyota has always been committed to motorsports, and this was evident at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon with the unveiling of the Gazoo Racing (GR) GT3 Concept. The car was initially planned to make its race debut in 2025, a year after the World Endurance Championship (WEC) opened a category for GT3 cars. However, the launch has been delayed to align the competition car’s schedule with the roadgoing version.
Heading: The Launch of the GR GT3 Concept
According to Toyota’s WEC team director, Rob Leupen, the GR GT3 Concept will come to race in Europe in 2026. The launch date is in alignment with the road car side, which follows Toyota’s philosophy of having a motorsport-bred car on the road. The car will compete in a class higher than the Supra GT4, meaning that the roadgoing version is likely to have even more performance than Toyota’s sports car.
Heading: The Future of the GR GT3 Concept
The automaker is likely to give the car to its higher-end brand, Lexus. When asked if this was the case, Leupen said that it seems to be at the moment. However, it depends on how it develops within Toyota. Regardless of which brand the GR GT3 concept is eventually sold by, its mix of new and familiar design cues are likely to move that automaker’s design language forward.
Heading: Design Cues and Future Lexus Models
The GR GT3 concept is long, low, and wide, and its design cues are likely to trickle down to other vehicles. Based on initial impressions, these design cues would be welcome in other Lexus models. The car’s mix of new and familiar design cues is likely to move Toyota’s design language forward.
Heading: Powering the GR GT3 Concept
It remains to be announced what will power the car, but the exhaust port behind the front wheel suggests that an internal combustion engine will be involved. Toyota has not yet confirmed any details about the car’s engine, but it is expected to be a high-performance unit.
Heading: Conclusion
Toyota’s commitment to motorsports is evident in the GR GT3 Concept, which will come to race in Europe in 2026. The car’s launch has been delayed to align the competition car’s schedule with the roadgoing version. The automaker is likely to give the car to its higher-end brand, Lexus, and its design cues are likely to move Toyota’s design language forward. The car’s powertrain has not yet been confirmed, but it is expected to be a high-performance unit.
