Toyota has unveiled its new GR GT3 race car, a vehicle designed exclusively for the track, which stands in stark contrast to its road-legal sibling, the GR GT. Slated for a 2027 release, this racing machine foregoes the hybrid powertrain found in the street version, opting instead for a powerful, unadulterated V-8 engine. This strategic decision highlights Toyota's commitment to pure performance in the highly competitive GT3 category, positioning the GR GT3 as a formidable contender in global motorsport.
During a significant presentation at the Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Japan, Toyota showcased several new vehicles, including the GR GT and a revitalized Lexus LFA. However, the GR GT3 truly captured attention with its race-focused design and engineering philosophy. With the Lexus RC F GT3 nearing a decade in service, the arrival of the GR GT3 is highly anticipated, promising to bring renewed vigor to Toyota's racing division, Gazoo Racing.
While sharing a common lineage with the road-going GR GT, the racing variant introduces crucial distinctions. Notably, the GR GT3 eliminates the electric motor integrated into the street car's transaxle, making it a dedicated V-8 powered vehicle. This means the GT3-spec car will feature a specialized iteration of Toyota's newly developed twin-turbo 4.0-liter engine, optimized solely for track performance and raw power delivery.
In terms of physical attributes, the GR GT3 is engineered for maximum aggression and aerodynamic efficiency. It boasts a much more pronounced body kit, complemented by a substantial rear wing and distinctive front fender louvers. Unlike the road car's rear-mounted quad exhaust tips, the race car adopts an impressive side-exit exhaust system, reminiscent of its predecessors. The interior is also heavily modified, stripped down to its essential components to reduce weight and enhance the driver's focus on racing.
Dimensions further differentiate the two models; the GR GT3 is slightly longer, wider, and lower than its road-legal counterpart. Measuring 188.3 inches (4,785 millimeters) in length, 80.7 inches (2,050 mm) in width, and 42.9 inches (1,090 mm) in height, its athletic stance is accentuated by Rays centerlock wheels fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport track tires. Braking performance is handled by Brembo carbon-ceramic discs on both the front and rear axles, ensuring superior stopping power on the circuit. This dedication to race-specific components underscores Toyota's ambition for the GR GT3 in competitive motorsport.
Toyota remains tight-lipped about the exact power figures for the GR GT3, as these will ultimately be determined by balance of performance (BoP) regulations in various racing series. For comparison, the road-legal GR GT is expected to deliver at least 641 horsepower and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque, a figure that includes the hybrid system's contribution. With the race car shedding the electric motor and significant interior weight, it is designed to be substantially lighter than the street version's targeted curb weight of 1,750 kilograms (3,858 pounds), ensuring it meets the minimum weight requirements for its class, similar to the 1,250 kg (2,755 lbs) of the current Lexus RC F GT3.
The delayed debut of the GR GT3 until 2027 means the seasoned Lexus RC F GT3 will continue its racing campaign for at least another season. The concept for this new track-focused machine was first showcased in January 2022 at the Tokyo Auto Salon. While it shares some foundational elements with that four-year-old show car, the current prototype reveals a far more extreme and performance-oriented design, signaling Toyota's intent to push the boundaries of GT3 racing.
The GR GT3 is currently described as an "under-development prototype," indicating that final specifications and details may evolve before its official racing debut. This continuous refinement process ensures that the car will be fully optimized to compete at the highest levels of GT3 endurance and sprint racing, building on Toyota's legacy of engineering excellence in motorsport.
