Toyota is actively considering bringing its flagship GR GT V8 hybrid sports car to Australian showrooms, with the newly appointed vice president of sales and marketing, John Pappas, stating it’s a high priority. The announcement came during the 2026 Team Toyota motorsport launch at the Repco Supercars Championship in Sydney, marking a significant step towards expanding Toyota’s high-performance lineup in the region.
A New Halo Car for Toyota
The GR GT V8, unveiled in December after initial camouflaged test drives at Goodwood, is designed to become Toyota’s most powerful sports car yet. It boasts a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 hybrid engine, a lightweight aluminum chassis, and aerodynamic tuning capable of reaching 320km/h. This positions it as a successor to the legendary V10-powered Lexus LFA (2010-2012), and aims to reassert Toyota’s dominance in the high-performance sector.
Expanding Toyota’s Sports Car Portfolio
Toyota’s ambitions don’t stop with the GR GT V8. Rumors and trademark filings suggest the company is also planning a revival of the Celica sports car and the mid-engine MR2. The latter has been spotted in development, with Toyota securing the “GR MR2” and “GR MR-S” trademarks for the Australian market. This aggressive expansion into sports cars raises questions about the future of the GR86, given potential overlap with these upcoming models.
Lexus’s Electric Push
Alongside Toyota’s V8 plans, Lexus is preparing its own halo car: an all-electric successor to the LFA. The brand’s move toward battery-electric sports cars is particularly notable as it prepares to discontinue the V8-powered LC coupe and convertible, leaving a gap in its performance lineup that the new electric model could fill.
Toyota and Lexus are clearly committed to delivering a diverse range of high-performance options, from traditional combustion engines to cutting-edge electric powertrains, ensuring a strong presence in the competitive sports car market.
Toyota’s aggressive push into high-performance models, coupled with Lexus’s electrification strategy, suggests a broader shift in the company’s approach to sports cars. The GR GT V8 is expected to launch around 2027, while the Celica and MR2 are also in development. These moves indicate a long-term commitment to delivering enthusiast-focused vehicles that cater to both purists and those seeking the latest in automotive technology.
