Toyota GR GT: A Lexus Racecar in Disguise?
by AutoExpert | 23 January, 2024
Have you heard the latest buzz about the next Lexus racecar? It might just be a Toyota in disguise! So, Toyota recently snapped up a trademark for "GR GT," and it's got everyone thinking this could be the name of their next track star.
Now, if you're a Lexus fan, brace yourself – it looks like the much-talked-about Lexus racecar could actually roll out under the Toyota banner. AutoGuide was the first to spot this trademark thing, and then CarBuzz found out that this GR GT name has been trademarked all over the place – from the US to Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and Great Britain. Talk about going global!
Last year, even Rob Leupen, the big boss of Toyota's WEC team, hinted that this upcoming racecar might get a Lexus badge. But, he also mentioned that things could change based on how Toyota decides to play it.
Now, remember the Toyota GR GT3 Concept that wowed everyone at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon? Well, Lexus is planning to make a street version of that. And here's a cool tidbit: this new racecar was rumored to be the successor to Lexus's RC F in the GT3 category.
For Toyota enthusiasts, this could be a huge win. We're talking about a potential new top-dog car that might even outshine the Toyota GR Supra. Since GT3 rules say you need a road-legal version of your racecars, Toyota might be cooking up a beast for both the street and the track. Imagine something as legendary as the Toyota 2000GT!
Under the hood, there are whispers about a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 teamed up with an electric motor, cranking out a massive 1,000 horsepower. And guess what? A prototype of this Lexus/Toyota speed demon was spotted tearing up the Motegi Circuit in Japan last September, and it sounded epic.
But here's the thing – not every trademark ends up on a production car. Sometimes, they're just for ads or other stuff. The dream scenario? Toyota launches the GR GT, and then Lexus comes out with their own version, rumored to be called the LFR.
Or, who knows, maybe there's a Vision Gran Turismo concept in the works. Fingers crossed we find out what's really happening soon!