SPY PICS: Toyota GR GT3 has a Spa day
Japanese car-maker’s upcoming Le Mans racer treats itself to a day at legendary Belgian circuit ahead of 2026 competition debutThe hard-core 2026 Toyota GR GT3 sports car racer has been spotted testing at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps (Spa) circuit in Belgium, looking almost identical to the sleek coupe concept shown at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon.
Wearing dense camouflage and looking particularly menacing with its low-slung cab-back silhouette, enormous swan-neck rear wing, vented bonnet, slashed front guards and huge rear diffuser, it’s clear this is the same car spotted lapping Fuji Speedway in March last year.
Save for the trapezoid lower intake that looks to be inspired by the GR 86, there are almost no similarities between this GR GT3 prototype and any existing production model from either Toyota or Lexus, which is expected to produce a road-going version called the LFR, although the Lexus Electrified Sport concept comes the closest.
The production-spec GR GT3/LFR has long been anticipated to feature a sonorous forced-induction V8 and according to our spy photographer that’s exactly what lurks under the bonnet.
Whether or not Yamaha is involved in the V8’s development and production – as it was with the 4.8-litre V10 that powered the limited-edition Lexus LFA supercar – remains to be seen.
Details of the racer are thin on the ground beyond its powerplant’s cylinder count and even less is known about the street-legal production version that’s expected to be released as a Lexus – rather than Toyota – model.
It’s unclear which logo will adorn the GT3 racer, however, it’s understood Toyota’s motorsport and performance division, Gazoo Racing, is leading the development.
Toyota WEC team boss Rob Leupen said last year both the racer and production cars would make their public debuts in time for the 2026 World Endurance Championship and that the road car was shaping up to be sold as a Lexus.
“Everybody knows we are developing a car and this car will come to race in Europe in 2026,” he said.
“The date is in alignment with the road-car side, which is following the philosophy of Toyota to have a motorsport-bred car on the road. This is moving forward at the moment.”
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