Toyota is taking its iconic Supra to the racetrack—this time, with a fire-breathing V8 under the hood. However, if you're hoping to spot this new variant in your local dealership, you’re out of luck. Instead, the automaker's latest powerhouse is built exclusively for the ultra-competitive Repco Supercars Championship in Australia, where it will go toe-to-toe with the likes of the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. Starting in 2026, Toyota will enter the fray with four brand-new GR Supra race cars, developed in line with the series' GEN3 regulations. The first two will be fielded by Walkinshaw Andretti United, with seasoned drivers Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood at the helm. Two additional entries will follow, with the second team set to be announced in mid-2025. This move marks Toyota's bold entry into a championship historically dominated by Ford and Holden. V8 power fuels Toyota’s GR Supra Supercars entryFor GR Supra Supercars, Toyota has opted for the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter 2UR-GSE V8. This quad-cam, all-aluminum engine is no stranger to high-performance duties, having roared under the hoods of some of Lexus' most revered models, including the LC500 and RC-F. It’s also the very same V8 that propelled a Toyota Hilux to victory at the grueling Dakar Rally in 2019, making it a proven contender in extreme racing conditions. Although Toyota has yet to reveal the exact specs of the engine, expectations are high that it will produce performance numbers that are on par with those of its competition. Both the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro Supercars are already flexing formidable muscle, with the Mustang’s 5.4-liter Coyote V8 and the Camaro’s 5.7-liter single-cam V8 cranking out roughly 600 horsepower each. Toyota's decision to arm the GR Supra with the 2UR-GSE hints at a similarly ferocious output, tailored to meet the demands of the Supercars Championship. In the spirit of competition, all vehicles on the grid—including the new Supra—are restricted to a minimum weight of 2,943 pounds and are limited to V8 powertrains. This level playing field ensures that driver skill and team strategy will play an even greater role in Toyota’s Supercars debut. On the occasion, Toyota Australia Vice President for Sales and Marketing, Sean Hanley, said: “At Toyota, we’ve been toying with the idea of competing in Supercars for more than 20 years, and now, with the right car, the right team, and a strong partnership with the Repco Supercars Championship, the time is definitely right.” While Toyota has yet to fully unveil the final look of the GR Supra Supercar, early renderings and a scale clay model have teased some aggressive aerodynamic cues. A massive rear wing, chrome side-exit exhausts, and a deep front splitter with gaping air intakes suggest this Supra means business. No V8 for the streets, but big plans for Toyota’s GR futureToyota’s dive into the Supercars Championship isn’t just about adding trophies to its cabinet. The automaker claims that its involvement will help develop future GR road cars, although a V8-powered Supra for the street seems highly unlikely. Instead, the GR Supra will continue with its turbocharged six-cylinder engine until its rumored final production year in 2026. Before the Supra’s departure, Toyota is expected to roll out a GRMN version—an even more track-focused variant with a beefed-up six-cylinder engine, advanced aerodynamics, and a chassis tuned for the racetrack. This final version will ensure the Supra goes out with a bang, but those hoping for a V8 in their driveway will have to look elsewhere. While Toyota has squashed any hopes of a V8 Supra for the street, the brand’s motorsport know-how will shape future performance cars. Toyota is also rumored to be working on a new GT3 race car, powered by a V8 engine, which may spawn a production version—likely under the Lexus brand. This aligns with Toyota’s broader strategy of leveraging motorsport expertise, seen in models like the GR 86, GR Yaris, and GR Corolla. On the racing front, Toyota has set its sights on major events like the Bathurst 1000, along with the 24 Hours of Le Mans and key appearances in NASCAR and World Rally Championship. While the V8 Supra remains track-only, the lessons learned in these high-stakes races will directly influence the next generation of GR-branded cars.
