Published:
Readtime: 4 min
Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here.
- Set to be revealed in 2026, the Toyota GT concept previews the production Lexus LFR
- LFR will most likely have a twin-turbo V8 with hybrid assistance
- Australia launch is likely by next year, with more allocation than the previous LFA
Lexus is readying its successor to the iconic LFA, rumoured to be called LFR. Based on the Toyota GT GT3 Concept revealed at the Tokyo Auto Salon in 2022, it’s shaping up as a more mainstream model, rather than a millionaire collector’s toy. However, a hybrid twin-turbo V8 powertrain and a tasty soundtrack should be enough for Porsche GT3 RS customers to consider the Japanese supercar over a German scalpel.
That means that, unlike the LFA, which was designed as a flag bearer for the Lexus brand in the supercar space, the new LFR will not have a high-revving V10 with Yamaha fingerprints. Still, despite being down on cylinders, the V8 is expected to produce more power, up to 670kW, with a bellowing V8 soundtrack, as seen recently in its outing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The V10-engined LFA has gained cult status over the years for its spine-tingling soundtrack and stunning attention to detail. With the LFR, Lexus wants to compete with the Porsche 911 GT3 RS in the high-end luxury sports car segment.
We first tasted the LFR at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, driven by Haas F1 racers Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon. The camouflaged duo of the ‘Toyota Racing’ concepts, as it is officially called right now, included a bewinged GT3 racer version, which caused quite a stir at the event.
“I got a chance to drive the race car yesterday, and Ollie was driving the road car,” said Ocon in an interview with Motorsport.com. “We swapped today, so got a bit of the feel, a bit more comfort this morning than yesterday.”
“But honestly, it’s incredibly fast, incredibly capable, and a big thank you to Toyota for trusting us to drive these beasts today.”
While we still don’t know exactly what’s under the bonnet, Ollie Bearman added that the GT, which is still rumoured to use the twin-turbo V8 engine supported by an electric motor, is faster than the road-going model, “but both are amazing cars in their own right.”
“The GT car is really more suited to a track like this,” said Bearman. “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 tyres – to push. But with the GT car, it really – that track comes alive, and I really, really enjoyed it.”
“It was the first time I actually pushed around Goodwood, and I really, really had fun.”
The cars the F1 drivers displayed at Goodwood have sharp lines and a shark-nose-like front end, resembling the LFA.
We love the aggressive styling, which undoubtedly adds a different flavour to a segment dominated by curvy German sports cars. Even the interior will have its fair share of drama, with red leather scattered everywhere amongst carbon fibre bucket seats. The main centre console will bisect the cabin and feature various physical controls, similar to the AMG GT.
It’s unclear when the production-spec LFR will eventually arrive. Expect it to sell in much higher numbers than the LFA, of which only eight cars ever came here. Plus, unlike the LFA, the gestation period would be much shorter this time, and we can expect the LFR to make its global debut by next year.
Comments
We love hearing from you. or to leave a comment.