Toyota GR GT Supercar Debuts in UK at Goodwood

Toyota officially presented its flagship GR GT supercar in the UK for its uncamouflaged debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this week. This road-legal, 641bhp hybrid V8 racer is engineered to compete with premium European performance brands and is slated for a 2027 launch. The GR GT aims to challenge established rivals such as the Mercedes-AMG GT and Aston Martin Vantage.

The project, led by company chairman Akio Toyoda, involved veteran engineers from past vehicle programs to maintain technical expertise. The supercar features a newly developed 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with a hot-vee configuration and dry-sump lubrication, integrated with a transaxle electric motor to create a hybrid drivetrain. This system delivers 641bhp and 627lb ft of torque to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox with a wet clutch for rapid gear changes.

Engineers estimate the GR GT can accelerate from 0-62mph in approximately 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed exceeding 198mph. Weight reduction and chassis rigidity were key design priorities, resulting in a vehicle weighing under 1750kg. It utilizes an all-aluminum body-in-white frame complemented by carbon fiber reinforced plastic exterior panels. Gazoo Racing focused on aerodynamics first, prioritizing downforce and cooling efficiency before finalizing the exterior styling.