BORN FROM RACING: A Trio of Flagships to Ignite the Next Era of Performance

• Embodying Toyota’s “Shikinen Sengu,” the V8-powered GR GT, track-honed GR GT3, and visionary Lexus LFA Concept are forged from the same fire that created the 2000GT and LFA, pushing the limits for a new generation.
• As an embodiment of “Toyota’s Shikinen Sengu”, preserving and passing on the “secret sauce of car-making” to the next generation is one aim of development.
• The GR GT is a new GR-brand flagship sports car that further advances the making of ever-better motorsports-bred cars.
• The GR GT3 is a GR GT-based, FIA GT3-spec race car for all customers who want to win races.
• The Lexus LFA Concept is a concept model aimed at creating a BEV sports car that exceeds customers’ expectations.
• Development was driven by engineers responding as a top priority to the perspectives of Toyota’s master driver (Morizo) and development drivers (professional drivers and a gentleman driver).

This is more than a world premiere; it is a declaration. Forged from the belief that “roads build people and cars,” TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and Lexus today unleash a trinity of flagships, each with a distinct heartbeat but a shared soul.

Born from the conviction of Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda (Master Driver Morizo) that irreplaceable car‑making craft must be preserved and passed on, the trio steps into the lineage of the Toyota 2000GT and Lexus LFA. They embody “Toyota’s Shikinen Sengu,” protecting the brand’s secret sauce while advancing it with new technologies for the next generation.

Developed together under one uncompromising philosophy, all three centre on the fundamentals of performance: a low centre of gravity, low weight with high rigidity, and a relentless pursuit of aerodynamic efficiency - so every input speaks directly to the driver.

Hand‑selected ‘GR Meisters’ were integral to the GR GT’s development journey, providing real‑world insights on ownership and performance from their home markets. Toyota New Zealand’s own Andrew Davis, Toyota NZ Chief Strategy Officer, was among this elite group, travelling to Japan for intensive training - underscoring the meticulous care and detail invested in every aspect of these cars.

The GR GT arrives as the GR‑brand’s new flagship for the road, furthering Toyota’s mission to make ever‑better, motorsports‑bred cars with obsessive tuning for response, balance and feel.

The GR GT3 carries that DNA onto the grid as an FIA GT3‑spec customer race car - accessible, competitive and built for those who want to win.

The Lexus LFA Concept points to a BEV sports car designed to exceed expectations, marrying electrification with the tactile purity enthusiasts demand and keeping the spirit of LFA alive for the future.

Andrew says the spirit of Toyota’s sports car heritage roars back to life in these three new flagships.

“These aren’t just new cars; they are our philosophy made metal. The soul of our heritage doesn’t just live on - it roars. The GR GT is a direct dialogue with the road, born from the same spirit as the 2000GT and LFA. It’s proof that the lessons learned from every failure and every victory are our fuel for what’s next,” he says.

Almost six decades later, with countless motorsport victories and years of sports car development behind it, Toyota is rekindling those halcyon days of fastback coupés, long sculpted bonnets and powerful front engines driving the rear wheels. The GR GT and GR GT3 channel that spirit, while the Lexus LFA Concept looks ahead - aiming to create a true battery-electric sports car that exceeds expectations.

Like the GR Yaris, the GR GT was developed from its motorsport version rather than adapted from a mainstream model, as was the case with GR Corolla. The GR GT will also serve as the homologation model for the GT3 race car.

“We are excited to see the race-focused GR GT3 circuit racing against some amazing global GT3 competition, and we are thrilled to bring the GR GT here for customers who want to experience it both on and off the track,” Andrew says.

“The GR GT is that raw, untamed energy we’re always chasing. It’s a driver-centric machine, engineered for that perfect dialogue between driver, car, and road. This isn’t about passive driving; it’s about a visceral connection, a bond forged by pushing the limits together and it just loos super cool – it’s a privilege to be able to bring this car to NZ enthusiasts!” says Andrew.

Andrew says details on how the GR GT will be sold and serviced are yet to be determined. He says the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing facility at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park could also come into the mix, especially if advance driver training is required.

“We are well established in New Zealand with GR and have a custom facility at Hampton Downs with world class engineering and development talent as well as access to professional driver training. Whatever the GR GT customer needs whether it be car set up or getting the most out of their vehicle we have a team that can meet their needs right here in NZ,” says Andrew.

GR GT: A new flagship pursuing overwhelming performance

The GR GT is the ultimate expression of our ‘Race Cars Into Road Cars’ mission. It is a pure GR model, born from racing, and honed through the cycle of ‘drive, break, fix’ to create a machine that is a true extension of the driver.

A diverse range of drivers, including Master Driver Morizo, professional drivers Tatsuya Kataoka, Hiroaki Ishiura, and Naoya Gamo, gentleman driver Daisuke Toyoda, and in-house evaluation drivers, were involved in its development from the concept formulation stage. All aspects of development prioritised the driver’s perspective, starting with the driving position. The model is still being refined, with drivers repeatedly putting it through the “hone, drive to failure, and repair” cycle, as with other GR products.

Master Driver Morizo urged the development team onward with calls of “I want you to go all out,” and “I want you to push even further.” In response, those involved overcame an unprecedented number of challenges across every domain, from development to manufacturing, including the adoption of Toyota-first new technologies.

Centred on front-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicle packaging, the GR GT features a thoroughly low centre of gravity and adopts Toyota’s first all-aluminium body frame for low weight with high rigidity, as well as styling that gives paramount priority to aerodynamics. Its power unit is a newly developed 4-litre, V8 twin-turbo with dry-sump lubrication, and its drivetrain uses a carbon-fibre torque tube and a transaxle layout.

The rear-located transaxle is equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission, a single electric motor (1-Motor Hybrid system), and a mechanical, limited-slip differential. The result is driving performance that is easy to handle for drivers of all skill levels and that enables drivers to fully interact with the car.

GR GT3: A new FIA GT3-spec race car built with a driver-first approach

Based on the GR GT, the GR GT3 was engineered to compete in races worldwide. Created in accordance with FIA GT3 regulations - the top category for production-vehicle-based customer motorsports - it aims at being chosen by both professional and gentleman drivers who want to win, as well as being easy to drive for anyone behind the wheel. Its aluminium space-frame chassis, low-mount double wishbone suspension, and 4-litre, V8 twin-turbo engine are all drawn from the GR GT.

Going beyond just aiming to make the GR GT3 a high-performance race car, TGR is also preparing to establish an optimal support system for customers competing in international GT3 series races.

Lexus LFA Concept: Sights set on being a true BEV sports car

Created to be a true Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) sports car that exceeds customer expectations, the Lexus LFA Concept is a concept model that, like the GR GT and GR GT3, was developed under a one-team approach with Master Driver Morizo. It inherits and evolves the original LFA’s spirit, pursuing a balance of styling and driving performance. By leveraging technology and car-making skills that must be preserved, Lexus is transforming the perception that BEV sports cars are still in their infancy and is taking on the challenge of shaping the future of car-making.

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