GR GT3 Concept Will Become The Lexus LFR

[Gecko]

Discussion and speculation around production of the GR GT3 Concept that TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) unveiled almost 3 years ago has become increasingly frequent, fueled largely by recent spy photos and videos. These sightings showcased a prototype vehicle with design heavily influenced by the Toyota GR GT3 Concept including key features like a long hood, redesigned rear diffuser, quad tailpipes, and a fixed rear spoiler. Video footage, including multiple rounds of testing at the infamous Nürburgring in Germany, reveals the sound of what is likely a high performance V8 engine (and potential hybrid), further heightening anticipation for its release.
This vehicle has also been believed to be the successor to the Lexus LFA, and rumored to be...

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[Falcon]

really?

 

[Kelvin2020]

So now have two variants of the GR GT3? Too many rumors about this car

 

[Faisal Sheikh]

Good to see F division is potentially not dying and might live on in the next gen of cars. For some time, I thought GR will takeover and F division will quietly disappear with the RCF/TE being the final offering.

 

[Randen Montalvo]

Good post LN love the render, this has been the current understanding was hoping soon for more info to see if Lexus will have two future segment sports cars like now with the RCF M4 segment and 8 Series LC or just merge them into one is kinda the info were hunting, the ESC has always been mentioned by Lexus to be the next LFA. We hear about the 600hp RC mule which begs the question will that slide in as another F car in the RCF slot. It makes sense to have maybe next Supra share this platform/chassis sharing with the GR/GT/LF-R chassis since it doesn't make sense to dethrone the Supra as Toyotas halo sports car. Having both options for Toyo as a Sports Car & Lexus as a Luxury Perf GT.

 

[Randen Montalvo]

Good to see F division is potentially not dying and might live on in the next gen of cars. For some time, I thought GR will takeover and F division will quietly disappear with the RCF/TE being the final offering.

I was concerned still a bit am, i have heard many many rumours that F would end with the RCF im hoping this pans out i just wish Lexus was better at really teasing the future.

 

[Faisal Sheikh]

I was concerned still a bit am, i have heard many many rumours that F would end with the RCF im hoping this pans out i just wish Lexus was better at really teasing the future.

Agreed. I am also hoping the F division continues with the new generation platforms. but I am afraid you might be right. If Lexus creates the LFR and an LFR racing car to replace the RCF GT3 then there is a good chance F division will continue and if they stick to only GR GT3 then pretty much the writing is on the wall.

 

[Randen Montalvo]

Agreed. I am also hoping the F division continues with the new generation platforms. but I am afraid you might be right. If Lexus creates the LFR and an LFR racing car to replace the RCF GT3 then there is a good chance F division will continue and if they stick to only GR GT3 then pretty much the writing is on the wall.

Agreed, they changed the GR GTs hood logo brand to a Lexus officially so that was an easy sign to spot. I truly think the GR GT Chassis will be the new Supra platform branded for Toyo and LF-R or some RC/LC replacement. The ESC being the later LFA replacement as stated by Lexus. The F brand has such a following it would be criminal i feel to let it die in my humble opinion. I really hope Lexus continues the F brand aswell.

 

[ssun30]

There are only two scenarios for the LFR and GR GT to coexist.

GR GT is V8 PHEV and LFR is BEV.

GR GT is a track-focused ICEV and LFR is a comfort-focused PHEV grand tourer.

In either case I think the GT3 race car will carry a Toyota badge and the F racing program is stopped. TGR has won every premier level championship it participated in this year and is now world's most successful racing brand. They are now targeting a GT program and eventually works F1 program. They have so much momentum and by the end of the decade GR will have similar brand value as AMG. By comparison Lexus F racing won one national level championship in 7 years and didn't add much value to the brand.

 

[Randen Montalvo]

There are only two scenarios for the LFR and GR GT to coexist.

GR GT is V8 PHEV and LFR is BEV.

GR GT is a track-focused ICEV and LFR is a comfort-focused PHEV grand tourer.

In either case I think the GT3 race car will carry a Toyota badge and the F racing program is stopped. TGR has won every premier level championship it participated in this year and is now world's most successful racing brand. They are now targeting a GT program and eventually works F1 program. They have so much momentum and by the end of the decade GR will have similar brand value as AMG. By comparison Lexus F racing won one national level championship in 7 years and didn't add much value to the brand.

Unsure they purposely removed the Toyota badge and relabeled the GR GT as they showcased that display car as a Lexus so there that blatant sign. I dont see Toyota taking over the IMSA & WEC program branded as Toyota that would be very odd. Every instance of me asking everyone associated with that program indicates it will be a Lexus car racing in IMSA & WEC not a Toyota badged car from Lexus however who knows with TMC constantly changing things. I hope they dont bring the GR brand to Lexus labeled GR. I think Luxury performance should always be separated from your lowered-step brand even if the same folks make it. Personally, GR has a long long way to become AMG as Luxury performance moniker brand on part with M or AMG and i dont think it will become AMG if it stays in the Toyota sphere of cars. The F brand has more upside in my view it just needs newer cars with dedicated chassis and higher power figures much easier path their in my view then using the main Toyota brand.

Another thing i can see being done is if they Label a Lexus a GR-F of some sort. Personally, F fits the Lexus brand better than GR and justifies a much higher price point and i hope they go with that. Lexus of America seems to be always going to back and forth with TMC . I also found it far more impactful that Lexus went racing rather then the main brand because as we all know Toyota never stopped racing but with that championship from Lexus last year and how far that program has come. I hope and think thats the route they will go for IMSA and WEC. Lexus needs to continue racing with its own performance brand. However im well aware that TMC is pushing GR and it doesnt make sense that TMC would deny more power the current F cars which is a sign when Yuuichi Tsurumoto requested to use a 5.4 2URGSE and TMC said no. Theres alot up in the air and Lexus tends to not do a great job at singaling or teasing whats to come as always.

I do miss the Yaguchi san days where things made sense lol.

 

[F1 Silver Arrows]

There are only two scenarios for the LFR and GR GT to coexist.

GR GT is V8 PHEV and LFR is BEV.

GR GT is a track-focused ICEV and LFR is a comfort-focused PHEV grand tourer.

In either case I think the GT3 race car will carry a Toyota badge and the F racing program is stopped. TGR has won every premier level championship it participated in this year and is now world's most successful racing brand. They are now targeting a GT program and eventually works F1 program. They have so much momentum and by the end of the decade GR will have similar brand value as AMG. By comparison Lexus F racing won one national level championship in 7 years and didn't add much value to the brand.

I once remember someone say in the SupraMkV forums that it'll be more like the latter. The only thing that differed from what you said was that perhaps that the performance envelope of the Toyota will be a bit lower (not higher) than the Lexus, and also less luxurious. All in all, it will spell for a more (relatively) affordable sports car, while the development dollars will be thrown at the Lexus variant more.

With that said, this was mentioned ages ago, and things have changed since.

 

[ssun30]

However im well aware that TMC is pushing GR and it doesnt make sense that TMC would deny more power the current F cars which is a sign when Yuuichi Tsurumoto requested to use a 5.4 2URGSE and TMC said no. Theres alot up in the air and Lexus tends to not do a great job at singaling or teasing whats to come as always.

I do miss the Yaguchi san days where things made sense lol.

Now that's something interesting! I really want to hear about the 5.4 2UR story. I've always wondered why they didn't develop a 500PS+ variant of the 2UR for the road cars.

 

[Randen Montalvo]

Now that's something interesting! I really want to hear about the 5.4 2UR story. I've always wondered why they didn't develop a 500PS+ variant of the 2UR for the road cars.

Yea man its really cool stuff Yuuichi Tsurumoto was tasked by Lexus to create the RCF Track Edition focusing on high speed stability performance with more aero, less unsprung weight, better suspension damping for better cornering, throttle response curve changes and more downforce but he wanted more power ( actually doing a video on this ) he stated in an article for the RCF TE it was intended to have the 5.4 Ltr engine that was his request when tasked to make a track RCF and no back seats. Also for the model each year the special edition was to be called multiple tracks the car races on in the USA. Sadly he speaks about TMC not wanting to do that with the RCF for fear of it straying away from Lexus ride comfort and focused just on the ladder. He made a comment the package was designed for that stroked engine and that was his initial intention. This makes sense when you look at that package .It also makes sense that the LCs base line is the 2UR and another engine wouldve appeared in full F cars. Makes you see that if a higher powered engine was present it would made more sense that the 500 series cars have the lower powered engine and the F cars get the power upgrade or at least we can confirm in this case the RCF TE wouldve had it had TMC granted Yuuichi's wish. I wish TMC would just let Lexus loose to do its own thing and follow a more Porsche direction but all indications are Lexus is benchmarking Mercedes sadly.

Video coming soon via

https://www.instagram.com/r.r.monty/

Things that make you go hmmmmm.