2026 Toyota GR GT3 Race Car Spy, rumored road version
It was discovered for the first time that Toyota's new GT3 race car was being developed for a planned customer race program.
A video from the Car Spy media shows the test of a camouflage prototype at the Belgian Spa Francorchamps and includes a soundtrack pointing to the V-8 engine under a long bonnet.
The car is being developed by Gazoo Racing, Toyota's motorsport division and in-house tuner, and is expected to be ready in time for the 2026 motorsport season.
Some series where the car could end up include the IMSA SportsCar Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
It will be previewed at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon by gr GT3concept, and its name may be reflected in production.
Toyota already offers the Supra GT4 customer race car and the Supra-based race car designed for the Japanese Super GT touring car series, so the new GT3 customer race car would not be an unusual move. Why not use existing road vehicles for the project? At the debut of the GR GT3 concept, Toyota said the move would allow engineers to test new vehicle concepts that could potentially reach production.
Toyota executives have also suggested that a road-going version of the race car could be launched. The GT3 class requires a race car derived from a road car, so Toyota's new race car, which is not based on the current road car, will eventually be able to drive on the street.
The road car can be badge as a Lexus for showrooms, and the GR GT3 will be a good choice for the aging RC F GT3 at the racetrack. You can take over for a while. Lexus also shows the concept of an electric supercar at a rate similar to that of the GR GT3, perhaps pointing to some shared development.