Rumor Mill: Toyota to Build Street-legal GR Super Sport Hypercar?

by Matt Posky

August 4th, 2020 5:25 PM

rumor mill toyota to build street legal gr super sport hypercar

Previewed way back at the 2018 Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota’s (Gazoo Racing) GR Super Sport Concept now serves as the template for its next entry into 24 Hour of Le Mans, tapped for the new Hypercar Class that’s effectively replacing FIA’s World Endurance Championship LMP1. The new classification is supposed to reinvigorate the sport by mandating homologation of the wildest inductees, a practice which often leads to the most stunning performance machines ever to grace the road.

That means Toyota has to build at least 20 examples of something street legal that shares more than a handful of components with its LM racer. Rumor has it, something is already in development — and should exist well beyond the confines of what one normally thinks of when they envision Toyota products.

According to The Supercar Blog, inside sources claim Toyota plans to build homologated road-legal versions of its Hypercar Class racer to satisfy the new regulations. While the concept utilized a 2.4-liter V6 hybrid powertrain with twin turbochargers (good for output of 985 horsepower), and is presumed to run Le Mans with that exact setup, the street variant will have to undergo several changes to be deemed legal without straying too far from the original.

In addition to more creature comforts, the street-legal variants are said to use a similar “competition” twin-turbo hybrid V6 engine with unknown output. However, Supercar Blog claimed sources estimated a 0-60 mph run of around 2.5-seconds — meaning it’s not likely to suffer from a horsepower deficit.

Information is cursory at best, and it’s hard to imagine mainstream Toyota coming out with a $3.1-million (estimated) car that would exceed Honda/Acura’s NSX in both price and performance. But Big T did build the Lexus LFA. It’s also overtly committed itself to enhancing its performance image these last few years. Anything is possible at this juncture, including a lubriciously priced GR-badged racer outfitted with mirrors (possibly cameras) and a rear windshield. Just don’t expect to see it parked next to a Prius at your local dealership. Toyota is unlikely to build more than it has to, and they’ll go out directly to whomever can foot the ludicrous bill.

Deliveries are said to start in 2022.

[Images: Toyota]

#GazooRacing #GR #HypercarClass #Lmp1 #Motorsport #ProductionPlans #Prototypes #RumorMill #Rumors #SuperSportConcept #Toyota #WEC #WorldEnduranceChampionship

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2 of 5 comments

Chocolatedeath on Aug 05, 2020

Wouldnt be surprised if the back window ended up looking like an old 60s Vette.

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Sundance on Aug 05, 2020

I don't believe that they will make a rear window. What for? And I think the cars are sold in the moment when Toyota makes this official.

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