New Road-Legal Lexus GR GT3 Set to Compete with AMG GT and Vantage

The Lexus GR GT3 will soon have a road-legal version, boasting around 650 hp and a design inspired by the 2022 GR GT3 concept.

The upcoming Toyota / Lexus GR GT3 race car is set to spawn a road-legal variant aimed at competing with other high-performance front-engined sports cars like the Mercedes-AMG GT and Aston Martin Vantage.

Recent spy sightings have caught several prototypes of the racing car undergoing tests. Earlier this month, Toyota was seen testing the GR GT3 at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. The car’s design is heavily influenced by the GR GT3 concept revealed in 2022, and it will replace the older Lexus RC F GT3 racer. While racing fans are excited about the new car, sports car enthusiasts will be thrilled to learn that homologation rules require Toyota / Lexus to launch a road version with a similar design. 

The road version will share its powertrain with the race car. Spy videos suggest the racer is equipped with a twin-turbocharged V8, and the street model may also incorporate hybrid assistance. To compete with the 2025 Aston Martin Vantage, the new flagship Lexus will likely need around 650 hp, achievable with a hybridized, force-fed V8. It could even aim to rival the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 E Performance, which boasts 805 hp from a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 hybrid setup.

Visually, the road car will resemble the prototypes but without the extreme aerodynamic features. It will feature a long hood, a large front grille, and aggressive LED headlights. Similar to the LC, it will have a low, wide stance, a sculpted rear with a prominent lip spoiler, and sharp taillights. The interior design remains under wraps, but it is speculated that Lexus might draw inspiration from the luxurious LC cabin.

The race car is set to debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona in January 2026. According to Autocar, the road version could also be launched in 2026.