Summary
- Lexus is working on a successor to the LFA supercar, possibly named “LFR,” in tandem with a GT3-spec endurance race car.
- The prototype spotted at the ‘Ring sported notable changes, including a smaller rear spoiler and quad exhaust tips.
- The new supercar model takes inspiration from Toyota’s GR GT3 Concept, to utilize twin-turbo V-8 gas-electric hybrid propulsion tech.
It appears that rumors of a successor to the iconic and extraordinary LexusLFA supercar are holding true as our esteemed spy photographer caught a seemingly near-road-ready prototype lapping the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife. SH Proshots photographed the prototype whipping around the ‘Ring at a high pace and around the track’s service roads, likely undergoing hot performance lap and handling tests. And during the testing regiment, some notable changes were observed when compared to the previous prototypes seen running about.
In the past, previous spy shots caught a similar prototype undergoing testing. But that prototype sported an observably bigger rear spoiler as well as different, but more aggressive bodywork, a different exhaust arrangement, and other details clearly geared towards racetrack performance rather than road-legal compliance. Rumor has it that the earlier prototype was the motorsports variant of Lexus’ new up and coming supercar, supposedly called the “LFR,” which Lexus engineers are testing for future GT3-specification FIA league homologation requirements. This latest prototype spotted at the ‘Ring however, is quite different.
New Prototype Could Be The Road-Legal Version Of Lexus’ New GT3-Spec Racecar
According to our spy photographer, the prototype spotted in this latest set of photos sports a visibly smaller, but still ginormous rear spoiler, along with different side-view mirrors, as well as a redesigned rear diffuser with a set of quad exhaust tips. In comparison, the previous prototype seen utilized a much bigger, spoiler and side-mounted exhausts.
“They took not one but two prototypes of the road version of the GR GT3 that’s rumored to get the LFR moniker,” our spy photographer explained to us. “Compared to the earlier spied race version, we can see that the road-going version has some changes, even if these two prototypes are far from ready for production.”
Our spy photographer also caught a glimpse of the rubber the latest prototype wore on its massive 20-inch wheels, which when zoomed in close, wore very aggressive Michelin Pilot Cup 2 rubber in 265/35R20 size up front and 325/30R20 at the back. SH Proshots also made note of the prototype’s exhaust note, which emanated the sort of noises that were akin to sounds that a twin-turbocharged V-8 typically makes, corroborating past details that this supposed LFR would utilize a twin-fed eight-cylinder, but with hybrid electric tech assist. In comparison, the previous Lexus LFA utilized a motorsports-bred 4.8-liter naturally-aspirated gas V-10 cooperatively developed and engineered with Yamaha.
Based On The GR GT3 Concept
Lexus’ new supercar takes most of its inspiration from Toyota’ GR GT3 Concept, which debuted last year, back in June 2023 at the Tokyo Auto Salon. It previewed Toyota’s latest attempt at building a GT3-spec endurance racer to participate in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the world-famous and iconic Le Mans 24 Hours.
Since then, engineers at both Toyota and Lexus have been working on developing the race car to participate in both races in 2026. When the Japanese automaker revealed the concept, they also announced that a road-going version was also a part of the project as a homolgation special in order to meet league qualifications.
Not much else is known, other than the GT3 race car is expected to make its debut in late 2025 for the 2026 motorsports season, with the road-legal production variant following shortly after.
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