I was busy stuffing my face with food over the Thanksgiving holiday. However, a massive automotive story interrupted my Black Friday shenanigans. Specifically, a commercial appeared for a brand new supercar, the Toyota GR GT. Consequently, I immediately dove into the details to see if this Toyota GR GT is the real deal.
Fans have waited for a legitimate halo car for years. Now, this Toyota GR GT teaser might finally be the answer we have been looking for. I have always been a fan of Toyota’s previous supercar concepts. For example, the Lexus LFA was an engineering marvel.
In addition, the FT1 concept was stunning when it first debuted. Unfortunately, reality often disappoints because the FT1 eventually morphed into the current Supra. As a result, I essentially checked out. The production Supra simply did not look like the concept, but this new machine looks crazy.
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Analyzing the LFA Styling Cues
I watched the commercial clip closely to spot the details. Immediately, I noticed several design cues taken directly from the legendary LFA. For instance, the hood features two distinct dips. This is a signature LFA design element.
Furthermore, the headlights utilize that classic Lexus triangle-shaped design. Therefore, the similarities are undeniable. The stance also appears low and wide, just like its predecessor. However, the rear end tells a different story.
Instead, the back of the car resembles a race car. Recent articles suggest this could be a homologated street version of the GR GT3 race car. Consequently, the aggressive aerodynamic setup looks far more serious than the current Supra. I tried to brighten the dark footage to get a better look.
The Sound: V8 or V10?
The biggest question revolves around the powertrain. For example, the Lexus LFA is famous for its beautiful V10 engine. However, you can listen to the clip in my video above. This new car does not have the high-pitched LFA scream.
On the contrary, it sounds like a V8 with a distinct rumble. Therefore, we can basically put the V10 rumors to bed. In this day and age, emissions are a major factor, so I am pretty sure it will feature a hybrid system.
My best guess is a turbocharged V8 paired with a hybrid drivetrain. Thankfully, it does not sound like an electric car because of the exhaust note. We still do not know the drivetrain layout. Nevertheless, a turbo V8 hybrid seems the most likely outcome.
Price Speculation and Dealer Concerns
The performance specs are exciting, but the potential price tag is terrifying. For instance, when the LFA launched about 15 years ago, it cost nearly $400,000. That was not obtainable for most people. I seriously hope this price does not become a reality for this new Toyota.
Who is going to buy a $400,000 Toyota? I hope they avoid that bracket entirely. In my opinion, the sweet spot would be between $70,000 and $120,000. However, looking at the likely technology, my wild guess is higher.
I suspect this car will land between $100,000 and $150,000. That is still expensive, but it is cheaper than a Mustang GTD or a Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Unfortunately, the MSRP is only half the battle because dealers are the real problem.
If Toyota produces a limited number, dealers will jack up the prices. For example, if they only make 5,000 units, markups will be astronomical. As a result, I am very cautious about this release. I worry regular enthusiasts will never get their hands on one.
Reveal Timing and Final Thoughts
The video teaser ends with a specific date: 12/5. This means the car will be revealed on December 5th in Japan. However, because Japan is a day ahead of us, we will likely see the full reveal on the evening of Thursday, December 4th in the US.
I will be watching closely to see what specs are confirmed. It is actually kind of crazy to think about the market right now. For example, we are literally getting a successor to the LFA. Meanwhile, we still do not have a successor to the Dodge Viper.
I would love to see Dodge release teasers like this. But for now, Toyota is stealing the spotlight. Overall, this car seems promising because it looks aggressive and sounds powerful.
As long as they make enough of them to stop dealer greed, it could be a winner. But we just have to wait and see. Finally, I will be back with more info once the cover comes off next week.
