Toyota says no to total electrification. A temporary no obviously, but which also extends to the company’s sports range, known throughout the world with the GR badge, an acronym for Gazoo Racing. “We still think that the internal combustion engine has a certain potential, for this reason we will not abandon it, obviously trying to respect all the rules applicable depending on the regions of each country. But we don’t want to give up: if we look at the internal combustion engine, there is still hydrogen that can be part of a zero emissions program”the head of Gazoo Racing, Masahito Watanabe, recently declared to Autocar.
New V8 supercar?
And Autocar reports on the development by the Toyota Group of a new supercar powered by V8 engine, from which the definitive version of the GT3 GR concept car would then be born, ready to face high-level sporting competitions, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, within the next two years. As a reminder, FIA homologation rules require any GT3 racing car to share the basic body design with a related road carso a road-going version of the GT3 GR is expected in showrooms by 2026.
Lexus and not Toyota
According to the latest rumours, a road car of this type, whose code name is currently LFR, would be branded Lexus and not Toyota. As mentioned, under the bonnet the installation of a very powerful V8 engine coupled to a hybrid unit is planned: we are talking about a total power greater than 600 HP. In this sense, it should be remembered that Toyota has been collaborating with Yamaha for some time to create a hydrogen-compatible 5.0-liter V8, which could be used in the brand’s new sports cars (this should not be the case, however).
Up to 600 HP
Lexus’ commitment to performance cars has come a little short lately to miss: the Japanese premium brand has in fact withdrawn its RC and LC coupés in Europe and has not officially commented on plans for possible replacements, even if it unveiled the Electrified Sport concept car only two years ago to reiterate its desire to continue to focus on performance. Small detail: the prototype in question, which should reach production by the end of the decade, is powered by a fully electric motor.
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