Since the retirement of the Lexus LFA in 2012, the world has been waiting for a new halo car from Toyota. Now, after years of rumors, leaks, spy shots, and teasers, it’s finally here. The GR GT is an all-new, all-Toyota sports car, and feels like an especially worthy successor.
The GR GT uses the LFA’s same front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission mounted at the rear for optimal weight balance. Under the hood is not another V10, but rather an all-new hybridized twin-turbo V8 (not as exciting, sure, but considering how many hypercars are EVs these days, I’ll take it).
Most importantly, the GR GT isn’t some heavyweight, ultra-complex hypercar. It’s a more pure, relatively lightweight sports car focused on thrills, not performance figures.
Let’s Get The Numbers Out Of The Way
I’d argue numbers are more insignificant than ever in the performance segment, seeing as how EVs can outrun anything in a straight line these days. But they’re still important for comparison’s sake. So let’s talk about them first. The V-8 is a 4.0-liter unit combined with a single electric motor, making a total of 641 horsepower and 626 pound-feet of torque. Mind-blowing figures? Absolutely not. But considering this car weighs 3,858 pounds, it should deliver excellent dynamics.
While that number isn’t nearly as light as, say, a Miata, it’s pretty damn good for a hybrid with an onboard battery. That weight figure is thanks to an all-aluminum chassis—Toyota’s first, ever. There are also carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic body panels in place of metal. Power is routed to the rear wheels via a carbon-fiber torque tube to an eight-speed transaxle mounted out back, for better weight distribution.
Toyota makes a big deal about the GR GT’s low center of gravity. The engine uses a dry sump oiling system, so Toyota could get the whole drivetrain positioned lower within the car.
It Looks Absolutely Awesome
Design-wise, I think Toyota hit it out of the park. The classic front-engine, rear-drive proportions shine here, with a long nose and a compact passenger cell. The company managed to finesse its corporate grille fascia into this car elegantly. There are elements of Supra in the headlights, though the nose itself reminds me, weirdly, of the Daihatsu Copen GR Sport. There are some clever aero channels towards the rear that funnel air through the space behind the windows and out the back of the car:
The interior looks unlike any Toyota or Lexus I’ve seen, with a bulky steering wheel, a set of knobs for adjusting vehicle settings, some big paddle shifters, and lots of red leather. The shifter is, unfortunately, a very tiny rocker switch in the center console, though thankfully, I can see plenty of physical buttons for important features.
Weirdly, it looks as if there are zero actual Toyota badges anywhere on the car, inside or out. Toyota seems to want to emphasize this is a pure GR product, through and through.
The Big Questions: How Much, And When?
When the LFA debuted in 2009, it commanded a starting price of $375,000 (over $560,000 in today’s money). Paying that much for any Toyota product, Lexus badge or not, was a tough sell for most people, which is why it took a few years for Lexus to sell every example.
I don’t think the GR GT will cost that much, but it will definitely be the most expensive Toyota by a long shot. The company hasn’t released pricing details just yet, but says the car will launch in 2027. It’ll launch alongside a racing version called the GR GT3, which the company plans to field in the FIA GT3 category.
My judgment will, of course, be reserved for when I actually get behind the wheel. Toyota had plenty of opportunity to screw this up, but going by what I’ve seen tonight, it’s very much on the right track.
Top graphic image: Toyota
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