Lexus is set to launch a new V8-engined sports car, potentially named LFR, which will serve as a spiritual successor to the iconic LFA. Toyota’s hardcore GT3 GR concept car was revealed in 2022, and a prototype has been spotted testing at Spa-Francorchamps, generating excitement among car enthusiasts.
The prototype’s soundtrack is that of a highly strung V8, reportedly twin-turbocharged. The road car is expected to share this powerplant, augmented by hybrid assistance. While exact specifications for the racer have not been released, GT3 regulations are relatively flexible, allowing cars to produce roughly 500-600hp and weigh no more than 1300kg. Brands like Aston Martin, BMW, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche all currently sell GT3 customer cars.
Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s motorsport division, aims to have the car ready for top-flight competition by 2026. FIA homologation rules require that any GT3 racer must share its basic body design with a related road car, indicating that a toned-down version of this sports car could be in showrooms within the next two years.
Toyota has previously emphasized its approach of 'commercializing motorsport cars rather than simply adapting production vehicles for use in motorsports', as seen with the rally-honed GR Yaris hot hatchback. The road-going GT3 GR is likely to bear a Lexus badge rather than a Toyota one, aligning with the premium brand’s legacy of large-engined sports cars such as the LFA, LC 500, and RC F.
Although Lexus has retired its RC and LC coupés in Europe and has not officially commented on plans for any replacements, the brand’s commitment to performance cars remains strong. The outlandish Electrified Sport concept, revealed in 2021, emphasizes this commitment. The concept, which is due to reach production by the end of the decade, is electric and shares its carbon fiber monocoque underpinnings with Toyota’s GR GT3 concept. It features a similar cab-rearward silhouette, suggesting the possibility that Lexus could offer two closely related sports cars—one electric and one V8-powered—based on the same chassis within the next five years.
With the introduction of this new V8 sports car, Lexus continues to push the boundaries of performance and innovation, providing car enthusiasts with exciting new options that blend power, style, and advanced technology.
Also Read: