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.
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]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Wouldnt be surprised if the back window ended up looking like an old 60s Vette.
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.