Attendees of the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed were treated to a sight on the event’s first day when Toyota ran not one, but two variants of its upcoming GR GT flagship supercar. This wasn’t a static display, either; Toyota actually ran a roadcar version of the GR GT right up the hill at Goodwood followed closely by a GT3 race car version. Both cars were camouflaged, so it was hard to make out the details of their bodywork, but it’s clear the production GR GT will have a long hood, short rear deck, and a wide track, just like the Lexus LF-A that preceded it.
Perhaps more interesting than how these cars looked was what they sounded like. The official video from Goodwood verifies the presence of a V8 thanks to the unmistakable burble that can be heard from both cars. A subtler whine can also be heard, which could indicate the presence of twin turbochargers or possibly even some electrified assistance (or both). Our bet is on turbos, which the car’s all-new 4.0-liter V8 will need to produce the kind of horsepower to compete in today’s supercar market.
Everything We Know About The Toyota GR GT
As Toyota’s last supercar was badged a Lexus, many have speculated its successor would be too, perhaps wearing the name of LFR. Based on a filing Toyota made with the European Union Intellectual Property Office, however, it appears the car’s name will be GR GT. Since GR models are the exclusive purview of Toyota, this car will most likely not be a Lexus. That said, don’t rule out Lexus developing its own, more luxury-oriented version of the car for its showrooms.
Those same filings with the European Union also include patent drawings of the GR GT. While unflattering, these technical drawings give a good sense of what the car’s lines look like beneath all that camouflage. Interesting details include a small spoiler lip on the rear of the car, a deep front splitter, a large vent near the front of the hood for expelling heat, canards ahead of the front fenders, and either a round vent behind each front wheel or evidence of side-exit exhausts.
Unlike the Toyota Supra that shares its mechanicals with another company’s sports car, the GR GT is being developed entirely in-house. That includes its new 4.0-liter V8 engine, which will likely be accompanied by twin turbochargers and/or hybrid assistance. Power levels are anyone’s guess, but you would think an LF-A successor in 2025 would need north of 800 horsepower to be respected in the market. This car is also going racing, with Toyota already confirming it will participate in the World Endurance Championship in 2026.
TopSpeed’s Take
Toyota is a hell of a company. On the one hand, it sells two of the most popular, consumer-oriented, commoditized vehicles on the market in the Camry and RAV4. On the other hand, it sells legit performance vehicles such as the GR86, GR Supra, GR Corolla, and soon this GR GT. In fact, in a world increasingly bereft of passenger cars at all, Toyota not only continues selling sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks, but makes them exhilarating to drive, as well. The company’s reputation for making soulless appliances is not applicable anymore.
Watching the live stream of this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, it was a total shock to see these two camouflaged GR GTs make a run up the hill. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the timed event, so they were sauntering up the hill more than storming it, but we’ll take it. Honestly, who ever thought Toyota would be the performance brand to beat in 2025 with one of the industry’s most anticipated supercar launches on the horizon? Not us, but we’re happy to take the L on this one.
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