FYI: Toyota Unveils a V8-Powered Supra, But It’s Exclusive to Racing
In a groundbreaking announcement, Toyota Australia has confirmed its participation in the prestigious Australian Repco Supercars Championship. Starting in the 2026 season, Toyota will debut four A90 generation Supras in this high-octane racing series.
Toyota’s Entry into Supercars
Toyota’s journey into the Australian Supercars realm will be led by Walkinshaw Andretti United, an elite manufacturer renowned for their prowess in motorsports. Under the guidance of accomplished drivers Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood, Toyota’s participation is set to be a historic milestone for the brand.
Building on Toyota’s impressive racing portfolio, which includes FIA WEC Hypercars, NASCAR, and WRC, this entry aims to further solidify the company’s domination in various racing disciplines.
The Engine Powering The Racing Supra
While the street-legal Supra sports BMW-sourced inline-four and inline-six turbo engines, the Supercar racer will roar with Toyota’s own 2UR-GSE aluminum quad-cam V8 engine. This powerful engine is not unfamiliar to the racing world, as it famously helped Gazoo Racing win the 2019 Dakar and closely mirrors the V8 used in the championship-winning Lexus IMSA GT Daytona RC F GT3.
This beastly engine will be installed in a Supercar Gen 3 tube-frame chassis, covered in bodywork inspired by the Supra. Enthusiasts hope it will provide a more authentic Supra appearance than the model Toyota uses in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series.
Historic Moment for Toyota and Motorsports
Sean Hanley, vice president of sales, marketing, and franchise operations at Toyota Australia, expressed the significance of this moment for Toyota:
"At Toyota, we’ve been exploring the idea of competing in Supercars for more than 20 years and now, with the right car, the right team, and our incredibly strong partnership with the Repco Supercars Championship, the time is simply right."
He further emphasized the importance of motorsport for their high-performance GR brand:
"This is a truly historic moment. Our GR brand and high-performance cars are built on the knowledge gained from participating in top-level motorsport, and our entry into the Supercars Championship cements that connection and gives us the opportunity to showcase the excitement of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing to a wide audience of enthusiastic fans."
Supercars CEO Shane Howard also acknowledged the impact of Toyota’s entry:
“It’s an incredible honor and testament to the series’ enormous popularity and international appeal.”
Upcoming Showcases
Though the V8-powered Supra has so far been revealed only through renderings and a scale clay model, eager fans can look forward to seeing a full-size version at the iconic Repco Bathurst 1000 event, set to run from October 10th to 13th.
Conclusion
Toyota’s foray into the Australian Supercars Championship marks an exciting chapter for both the brand and motorsport enthusiasts worldwide. With a robust V8 engine and a renowned team of developers and drivers, this move promises thrilling race performances and further cements Toyota’s commitment to excellence in motorsports.
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Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
