Official: Toyota’s GR GT3 Concept will become the GR GT production car

[F1 Silver Arrows]

The prototype specs of this car are absolutely trash. Their original goal was 900-950PS and 700PS+ from the ICE alone. Now the system power output i.e. with the hybrid system is only 650PS. The weight target is 1750kg despite using a lot of fancy materials. So this prototype GR GT actually has worse power-to-weight ratio than the LFA NE (371 PS/t vs. 413 PS/t) though it has almost twice the torque.

By comparison the BMW S63 makes 620-650PS at the wheels, and the LC-F prototype made about 660PS also from just the ICE. After 6 years of "meticulous engineering" GR managed to make the car less powerful. I don't know why I expected this thing to challenge the AMG GT BS, becase with these numbers it'll be lucky to surpass the AMG GT R. Good job Akio Toyoda you just managed to humiliate yourself again.

Yeah, well said.

 

[LCLFV]

My dude it's a Lexus IS interior in a $250k car that only has 640hp.

There is no credit to be given here. This is literally the least they could do.

I agree; I was talking more about the interior on its own than the rest of the car. I wish the rest of the future Lexus lineup looked like that instead of what we got in the new ES.

The bar is so low that if anything we should be somewhat relieved this doesn't share the same interior as the new ES.

 

[DarkSpace6383]

The prototype specs of this car are absolutely trash. Their original goal was 900-950PS and 700PS+ from the ICE alone. Now the system power output i.e. with the hybrid system is only 650PS. The weight target is 1750kg despite using a lot of fancy materials. So this prototype GR GT actually has worse power-to-weight ratio than the LFA NE (371 PS/t vs. 413 PS/t) though it has almost twice the torque.

By comparison the BMW S63 makes 620-650PS at the wheels, and the LC-F prototype made about 660PS also from just the ICE. After 6 years of "meticulous engineering" GR managed to make the car less powerful. And let's not forget it's not even the most powerful Japanese sports car ever, because Nissan made a 720PS GTR special edition. I don't know why I expected this thing to challenge the AMG GT BS, becase with these numbers it'll be lucky to surpass the AMG GT R. Good job Akio Toyoda you just managed to humiliate yourself again.

I am really hoping that there is a detuned base model and a more powerful one that hits that target. TBH that is probably what may be happening.

 

[F1 Silver Arrows]

I am really hoping that there is a detuned base model and a more powerful one that hits that target. TBH that is probably what may be happening.

Keep your expectations low buddy.

 

[b.ba]

I am really hoping that there is a detuned base model and a more powerful one that hits that target. TBH that is probably what may be happening.

If they're swinging for the home run with the debut, they absolutely shouldn't be revealing a more powerful version later

 

[CRSKTN]

 

[LCLFV]

I am personally ok with Toyota spinning off Gazoo Racing. I think the problem is that both Lexus F and GR can co-exist well together (again, look at VW group). I am ok with an EV LFA as long as its not replacing a combustion model. Ideally Lexus and Toyota would have both had V8H and GT3 models, and Lexus would be more involved in motorsport as a whole. GR seems to have eaten too much of the pie the way I see it.

The real problem is that it being a brand focused on "performance" effectively neuters any attempt Lexus will make in the future about having performance models. Lexus is not allowed to step GR (and by extension Akio's) toes. The Germans understood this and only had their performance divisions be sub-brands. Of course you have VAG's portfolio of performance brands, but those were already established prestige nameplates by the time they merged, and so people won't mind if an Audi RS8 has the same power as a Lambo Urus because they're buying the Urus for the badge.

For some odd reason, Toyota seems to think that making Lexus into an EV brand will somehow be enough to reshape its identity, which is an absolutely insane mindset to have in 2025.

 

[DarkSpace6383]

This is a fair take. I share your sentiments.

GR has cemented itself as a legendary sub-brand, but to do it while killing off Lexus' core competencies and diverting resources away from Lexus is disappointing.

Lexus should be moving increasingly upmarket if anything. The Toyota+ models should be what their new "Crown" line of cars is for (and please don't make Crown it's own brand). The range should start from the IS and the NX, both of which need significant improvements. Everyone says Lexus is irrelevant now that Century is, but Century is targetting Bentley, which was never Lexus's fight anyway. If I were in charge of Lexus id be gunning for the Mercedes/BMW and Porsche (C-Klasse/3-Series and above).

 

[DarkSpace6383]

The real problem is that it being a brand focused on "performance" effectively neuters any attempt Lexus will make in the future about having performance models. Lexus is not allowed to step GR (and by extension Akio's) toes. The Germans understood this and only had their performance divisions be sub-brands. Of course you have VAG's portfolio of performance brands, but those were already established prestige nameplates by the time they merged, and so people won't mind if an Audi RS8 has the same power as a Lambo Urus - they're buying the badge.

For some odd reason, Toyota seems to think that making Lexus into an EV brand will somehow be enough to reshape its identity, which is an absolutely insane mindset to have in 2025.

I think here established brand or not with GR's history they could do fine just having variations of the same powertrain/model with different characteristics and positions within the overall Toyota Group portfolio. I am happy GR is expanding, but I think this does not mean Lexus should contract.