We can’t remember the last time there was this much hype around a new Toyota. It’s trending on social media and beyond, not just because it looks spectacular, but also because it offers a glimpse into the near future of a flagship sports car. Part of its popularity online stems from the mystery surrounding it. Is it a Toyota or a Lexus? Does it have a twin-turbo V-8 or not? Is it a hybrid or a pure combustion-engine car?
Toyota and Lexus have shared zero details about the cars; yes, plural. One is believed to be a road-going vehicle called the Lexus LFR, while the other could be a GT3-spec race car from Toyota. Haas Formula 1 drivers Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman were invited to drive both, swapping seats over the weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Our sister site Motorsport.com interviewed the F1 pilots, and both praised the dynamic duo. After getting behind the wheel of the street-legal version for the hill climb, Ocon gave it a glowing review:
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
‘It was a lot of fun. It’s a fantastic car to drive, honestly. I got a chance to drive the race car yesterday and Ollie was driving the road car. We swapped today so got a bit of the feel, a bit of more comfort this morning than yesterday. But honestly, it’s incredibly fast, incredibly capable, and a big thank you to Toyota for trusting us driving these beasts today.’
Fellow Haas driver Bearman echoed his sentiments:
‘Yesterday, I got to try the road-going version. The GT is definitely a bit faster, but both amazing cars in their own right. [The GT] car is really more suited to a track like this. You know, in F1, we’re not really pushing. We have a few too many horsepower and missing a bit of rubber – let’s say at the rear tires – to push. But with the GT car, it really – that track comes alive, and I really, really enjoyed it.’
At this point, you’re probably wondering: what does Haas have to do with Toyota’s new sports cars? It’s a valid question, considering the F1 cars are powered by Ferrari engines in a deal set to last through the end of the 2028 season. In October 2024, however, the F1 team entered a technical partnership with Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s motorsport and sports car division.
Toyota is now an “Official Technical Partner” of Haas, with Gazoo Racing providing support in design, aerodynamics, technical expertise, and manufacturing. GR drivers, mechanics, and engineers are actively participating in tests conducted by the F1 team.
The Toyota GT Concept and GT Racing Concept are believed to share a newly developed twin-turbo V-8. It’s been rumored that the subsequent Lexus will pack as much as 900 horsepower, while its race car sibling is expected to have less due to output limitations in the GT3 class. The motorsport version is still scheduled to compete next year in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), so we might not have to wait much longer for its debut. Whether the Lexus-badged road car will be revealed at the same time remains another piece of the puzzle that is missing.