Toyota & Lexus Reveal Three New Flagship Sports Cars: GR GT, GR GT3 and Next-Gen Lexus LFA Concept
Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) and Lexus have unveiled a trio of next-generation performance flagships—the GR GT, GR GT3, and the Lexus LFA Concept—in a world premiere that marks a new chapter for both brands. More than just new models, these machines carry forward the spirit of icons like the Toyota 2000GT and the original Lexus LFA, while signalling where Toyota and Lexus intend to take performance in the years ahead.
At the centre of this reveal is TMC Chairman and Master Driver Morizo (Akio Toyoda), whose conviction is that certain car-making skills must be preserved and passed down. This philosophy, called “Toyota’s Shikinen Sengu,” mirrors a centuries-old Japanese ritual where shrines are periodically rebuilt—allowing artisans to refine and transmit their craft to a new generation.
The three cars share this same development ethos, built around three pillars:
- Low centre of gravity
- Low weight with high rigidity
- Relentless pursuit of aerodynamic performance
GR GT — The New GR Flagship
Leading the trio is the GR GT, a new flagship sports car developed from the ground up with a driver-first mindset. From the early concept stage, the car was shaped by a roster of drivers including Morizo himself, professional racers Tatsuya Kataoka, Hiroaki Ishiura, Naoya Gamo, gentleman driver Daisuke Toyoda, and Toyota’s in-house evaluators.
Development followed TGR’s familiar cycle of “hone, drive to failure, and repair,” with Morizo pushing engineers to “go all out” and “push even further.”
Key highlights include:
- Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
- Engine: Newly developed 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo with dry-sump lubrication
- Chassis: Toyota’s first all-aluminium body frame for low weight and high rigidity
- Drivetrain: Carbon-fibre torque tube with a rear-mounted transaxle
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic paired with a single electric motor and mechanical LSD
The result is a machine designed to deliver overwhelming performance while remaining approachable and communicative for drivers of any skill level—very much in line with GR’s motorsport-bred philosophy.
GR GT3 — FIA GT3 Racing, the Toyota Way
Based on the GR GT, the GR GT3 takes the platform into FIA GT3 competition—the top tier for production-based customer racing. It inherits the GR GT’s aluminium space-frame chassis, low-mount double wishbone suspension, and the same all-new 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo engine.
Engineered to be a car that both professional and gentleman drivers “want to win with,” the GR GT3 emphasises drivability and stability, not just outright speed. TGR is also preparing a dedicated support structure for teams running the GR GT3 in international series, signalling serious long-term intent in the global GT category.
Lexus LFA Concept — The Legend Reimagined as a BEV
Perhaps the most symbolic reveal is the Lexus LFA Concept, a battery-electric sports car developed using the same “one-team” approach employed for the original LFA. While the V10 howl isn’t returning, Lexus says the concept inherits and evolves the LFA’s spirit, pursuing a harmony of styling and driving performance that aims to exceed customer expectations.
This concept challenges the perception that BEV sports cars are still in their infancy. Instead, Lexus is using hard-earned car-making craftsmanship and new-era technologies to shape a future where electric performance cars can be every bit as emotional and engaging as their combustion predecessors.
More information for all three models will be released progressively by TGR and Lexus.
CarTok Editor’s Note:
If Toyota and Lexus wanted to make a statement about their performance future, this trio does exactly that. Heritage, technology, and ambition in one very intriguing package.
