Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) and Lexus recently brought two contrasting interpretations of future performance to the same stage, and I think the contrast was even more striking in person than it sounds on paper. At the Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Japan, the companies presented the Toyota GR GT and the Lexus LFA Concept together, almost inviting people to compare them directly. One represents the continuation of combustion-driven excitement, loud and unapologetic, while the other leans into an electric future that feels quieter but perhaps more refined in its own way. Seeing them side by side made it clear that Toyota intends to preserve internal combustion for its racing-focused brand, even as Lexus prepares its next flagship to move forward without an engine at all.

Contents

Key Takeaways
The V8 Roar Returns
A Silent Flagship
Bred for the Track
Frequently Asked Questions

Key Takeaways

The Toyota GR GT features a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 hybrid engine producing over 641 horsepower.
Lexus officially confirmed the new LFA Concept is a fully battery-electric vehicle (BEV).
Both cars share a newly developed aluminum body frame but utilize completely different powertrains.
Toyota aims to launch the production versions of these vehicles around 2027.
A racing version, the GR GT3, was also shown and meets full FIA GT3 competition standards.

The V8 Roar Returns

Many enthusiasts have been waiting for something that feels like a spiritual successor to the iconic high-performance Toyota and Lexus machines of earlier years. The GR GT seems to offer that familiar mechanical engagement people still crave. Under its long hood sits a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 paired with a single electric motor, and together they create a system output of at least 641 horsepower (650 PS) and 627 lb-ft of torque. There is a sense that Toyota wanted to keep a bit of old-school drama alive here.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transaxle. And while aerodynamic efficiency shaped the exhaust layout, the sound clearly remains part of the emotional appeal. The GR GT’s deep, aggressive tone feels intentional, almost like Toyota wanted to remind people that engines can still stir something. The car weighs about 3,858 lbs (1,750 kg), and with its front-engine, rear-wheel-drive setup, it maintains a familiar sports car character that many drivers still prefer.

A Silent Flagship

The Lexus LFA Concept, meanwhile, approaches performance in an entirely different way. It shares the aluminum chassis and low-slung proportions of the GR GT, but the absence of an engine changes the personality of the car immediately. Lexus described this concept as a marker for where the brand intends to go with its future high-performance models, focusing on battery-electric sports cars rather than combustion.

This represents a notable shift, especially for fans who still associate the LFA name with that memorable V10. The new version trades the dramatic sound for aerodynamics and electric torque vectoring, aiming for precision rather than theatrics. Some people were surprised that the Lexus flagship became the electric one while the Toyota-badged model kept the V8. But Lexus seems confident that this electric architecture will bring its own kind of performance advantages, including a lower center of gravity and different handling dynamics that perhaps are still hard to imagine without experiencing them.

Bred for the Track

Toyota also introduced the GR GT3, which is the full racing variant of the GR GT. It uses the same 4.0-liter V8 but removes the hybrid system to reduce weight and meet competition rules. Inside, the car is all function. A roll cage, a yoke-style steering wheel, and a stripped-down dashboard frame the interior, making it clear that this version is built for teams preparing for serious competition. Toyota expects the GR GT3 to enter global motorsport events such as the World Endurance Championship and the IMSA series starting in 2027.

Altogether, the showcase hinted at a future where combustion and electric performance might continue to coexist, even within the same company. It felt like Toyota and Lexus were acknowledging that different drivers want different experiences, and for now, both approaches still have something meaningful to offer.