2026 Lexus LFR rendered in wake of recent spy shots

The 2026 Lexus LFR and its racing Toyota GR GT3 sibling are two of the most eagerly awaited performance products of the decade as Lexus looks to replace the lauded LFA while Toyota has a crack at the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Co-developed from the ground up, the two models will each feature a force-fed V8 petrol engine and be rear-wheel-drive-only, with the racer being previewed way back in early 2022 by the Toyota GR GT3 concept.

Since then, multiple camouflaged test mules have been spotted hustling at European and Japanese racetracks as Gazoo Racing look to hone its most aggressive production-based racer to date.

Developing the GR GT3 and LFR in tandem should mean the latter will be every bit the worthy follow-up act to the legendary LFA supercar, and now it’s been imagined in full production spec following a sighting near the Nürburgring.

Long, low and fat, the LFR looks incredibly like its GR GT3 sibling with gaping intakes, canards, a cab-back silhouette, a huge, fixed rear wing, ventilated bonnet, massive brakes and the sort of beltline reserved only for the most exotic grand tourers and supercars.

The spied prototype’s 20-inch forged wheels are shod with super-sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres and fill the arches so well even the most OCD of car buffs couldn’t complain.

Integrated door handles add to the sleekness while the squared-off rear end is tipped to flaunt a full-width braking strip – as per other Lexus models – with quad exhaust exits protruding from the rear bumper.

Rumour has it the LFR could be even more powerful than the GR GT3 seeing as it won’t need to comply with any class-specific powertrain regulations, opening the door for a new-generation high-performance hybrid system.

It’s unclear yet if Yamaha has been involved in the development of the powerplant but we’d hazard an educated guess it has seeing as the bike manufacturer was responsible for both the LFA’s exquisite 4.8-litre V8 as well as the LC500’s 5.0-litre V8 (and plenty of other high-end Lexus engines).

There’s also been plenty of talk around the eventual emergence of a battery-electric LFR and the inclusion of what could be the first mass-market EV manual transmission.

The GR GT3 will make its WEC debut in 2026 and will be revealed alongside the LFR, likely in the second half of next year or early 2026.

Digital images: Kolesa.ru

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