Toyota is preparing a powerful and highly image-shaping double blow. After giving a preview of the forthcoming all-electric Lexus LFA at Monterey Car Week, the brand has now followed it with a V8 hybrid power coupé.
True sports cars have a hard time surviving in today’s market. More and more non-electrified models are disappearing from the portfolios of premium and luxury manufacturers. Toyota, however, is moving in the opposite direction. The world’s largest carmaker is reviving several luxury coupés with a four-litre V8, an impressive hybrid boost and genuine sports-car DNA. For those who prefer electric power, the reborn LFA will return as a full-battery model. Both newcomers are set to arrive in 2027.
Mercedes has long retired its S-Class Coupé and BMW is phasing out the 8 Series, while many other brands have lost their image-leading grand tourers entirely. Toyota is demonstrating that, despite efficient hybrids and global EV trends, there is room for something different. The new Toyota GR GT is not only the foundation for future GT3 racing cars, it is also designed to appeal to wealthy buyers who previously looked only to Porsche, BMW, Ferrari or Mercedes.
At 4.82 metres long, the GR GT is the first Toyota to feature an aluminium body. This reduces mass and, together with its muscular design, creates the low centre of gravity essential for GT3 competition. Development included direct input from TMC chairman Akio Toyoda, himself a passionate racing driver for decades. Power comes from a four-litre twin-turbo V8 paired with a hybrid module, producing more than 650 PS and 850 Nm.
Alongside the aluminium body, carefully managed aerodynamics and carbon-fibre-reinforced plastics deliver both downforce and the required rigidity. Drive goes exclusively to the rear axle, with the V8 twin-turbo and electric motor arranged in a transaxle layout and linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Top speed for the roughly 1.8-tonne coupé exceeds 320 km/h.
For those who prefer pure electric power, the new Lexus LFA will make its debut in 2027. The near-production concept appeared at Monterey Car Week in August and again at the Japan Mobility Show. The iconic LFA, famous for its charismatic naturally aspirated V10, will return as a fully electric successor. Technical details have not yet been released. The 4.69-metre concept shares its underlying architecture with the Toyota GR GT but is powered solely by electric drive.
