Toyota GR Supra V8: Toyota’s Bold Move into Supercars

Toyota GR Supra V8: Toyota’s Bold Move into Supercars

Toyota Australia is set to make a significant impact on the Repco Supercars Championship by joining the series in 2026 with its GR Supra. This marks a major milestone for Toyota’s commitment to Australian motorsport, extending its support beyond grassroots categories like the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Australia (TGRA) Scholarship Series and GR CUP, as well as its successful TGRA Rally Team.

The GR Supra racecar, designed and developed by Toyota Australia’s in-house team, will compete in a minimum of four GEN3 models. Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU) has been selected as Toyota’s homologation team partner, and will field two of these racecars with renowned drivers Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood.

Toyota Australia Vice President Sean Hanley expressed excitement about the entry, highlighting it as a dream come true that will showcase Toyota’s GR performance cars and provide new career opportunities for drivers and support teams. Hanley noted, “Our GR brand and performance cars were built on the knowledge that we gain from participating in top-level motorsport. This entry into Supercars will cement that connection and showcase TOYOTA GAZOO Racing excitement to a wide audience.”

The announcement comes as a significant boost for the Repco Supercars Championship. Shane Howard, CEO of Supercars, welcomed Toyota’s entry as a testament to the sport’s international appeal and popularity. “This is a landmark moment for Supercars, solidifying an iconic global automotive brand on our grid from 2026,” Howard said.

Walkinshaw Andretti United, a team with a storied history in Supercars, including seven Bathurst 1000 wins and six Drivers Championships, is eager to partner with Toyota. WAU Director Ryan Walkinshaw emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “Toyota’s commitment to our team and to the sport is a historic moment. We can’t wait to share success together in 2026 and beyond.”

The GR Supra racecar will utilize Toyota’s 2UR-GSE all-aluminium V8 engine, which has a proven track record in performance production cars and the Dakar-winning HiLux. Toyota is committed to racing in the Supercars Championship for five years, with further details about the racecar to be announced.

Toyota’s participation in Supercars will not only enhance its performance car lineup but also provide valuable insights for the development of future GR models. This aligns with Toyota’s philosophy of leveraging motorsport knowledge to advance its GR performance cars, including the GR86, GR Yaris, GR Corolla, and GR Supra.

The entry of Toyota into the Supercars Championship promises to elevate the competition and excitement within the series, offering fans a thrilling new chapter in Australian motorsport.

Source: Toyota
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