Hold onto your hats, Australia! Toyota's roaring hybrid V8 supercar, the GR GT, might just be revving up for our shores, and it's poised to be the most expensive Toyota ever sold here!
Imagine a monster hybrid V8 supercar from Toyota's elite Gazoo Racing performance division, crafted with the thrill of the track in mind, but destined for your driveway. That's the tantalizing prospect of the Toyota GR GT, a machine that's currently on Toyota Australia's wish list. If it gets the green light, it's not just a new car; it's a statement – a hybrid V8 flagship that could redefine what we expect from Toyota in terms of price and performance.
But here's where it gets controversial... This isn't just about bringing a cool car to Australia; it's about the steering wheel placement. For the GR GT to grace Australian roads, it absolutely must be built as a right-hand-drive vehicle. This is crucial because, much like South Africa, Australia doesn't permit the sale of new left-hand-drive cars. So, the engineering teams are looking at a right-hand-drive configuration, which is fantastic news for us!
Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room: the price. If the GR GT makes its Australian debut, prepare for some serious sticker shock. We're talking a price tag that could surpass $400,000, potentially even nudging close to the eye-watering $449,100 that Porsche asks for its 911 GT3. Toyota Australia's new sales and marketing chief, John Pappas, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "I'd love to see that car come to Australia. That is gonna be unbelievably great for the brand, that GR." While he couldn't make any official announcements, he confirmed that they are "definitely look[ing] at that if it can become available for Australia."
And this is the part most people miss... The GR GT's pricing is heavily influenced by its GT3 racing brethren. Project manager Takashi Doi pointed to existing GT3 cars as a benchmark, and looking at the competition, it's easy to see why. We're talking about cars like the Porsche 911 GT3 (starting at $449,100 plus on-road costs), the Mercedes-AMG GT63 Pro (from $418,900 plus on-roads), the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 ($336,000 plus on-roads), and even the Ferrari 296 GTB (which previously retailed for a staggering $604,000 plus on-roads). These figures paint a clear picture: the GR GT is positioned to be a premium supercar, not just another Toyota.
This pricing would place it more than double the cost of the current most expensive Toyota on our shores, the Tundra Platinum pick-up, which retails for $172,990. However, it's still significantly less than the $700,000 RRP commanded by the limited-run Lexus LFA supercars that were allocated to Australia back in 2011-12. Interestingly, Lexus did face challenges selling the LFA globally, which might make Toyota a bit cautious about a repeat scenario with the GR GT.
So, what's under the hood? The GR GT is a beast. It's powered by a new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine, seamlessly integrated with an electric motor. This hybrid powerhouse is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and drives the rear wheels, delivering a formidable 478kW and 850Nm of torque, with a top speed exceeding 320km/h. On the performance hardware front, expect 20-inch wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, a mechanical limited-slip rear differential, and an all-aluminium frame for optimal weight distribution.
While developed with GT3 racing in mind, Toyota has clarified that the GR GT is not intended to replace the GR Supra in Australia's V8 Supercars Championship. Pappas emphasized, "Well, no, right now we're focused on the GR Supra, and that's the vehicle for us for the next five years, and we're very excited about what we've got in front of us."
What do you think? Is a $400,000+ Toyota supercar something you'd be excited about, or does that price tag put you off? Should Toyota prioritize bringing this hybrid V8 marvel to Australia, or are there other performance models you'd rather see? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
