Lexus LFR supercar confirmed for production due by 2026
Toyota has confirmed plans for a new GT3 racer with Lexus badges – and the road-going version is expected to be a follow-up to the Lexus LFA supercar, based on this Toyota concept.
The successor to the Lexus LFA V10 supercar – the Lexus LFR, which is expected to adopt hybrid V8 power – is due in showrooms in 2026 to coincide with its motor-racing debut, according to a new report.
A Toyota executive in Europe has confirmed plans to build a road-going version of the Toyota GR GT3 concept unveiled last year – wearing Lexus badges – alongside a racing version bound for Le Mans.
This is expected to be the vehicle foreshadowed by a number of Japanese media outlets as the successor to the Lexus LFA of 2011, slated to use hybrid V8 power after it arrives mid-decade.
“Everybody knows we are developing a car, and this car [GR GT3] will come to race in Europe in 2026,” Rob Leupen – boss of Toyota’s World Endurance Championship (WEC) team, which includes the Japanese car giant’s Le Mans entries – told Motorsport.com.
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“The date is in alignment with the road car side, which is following the philosophy of Toyota to have a motorsport-bred car on the road. This is moving forward at the moment.”
This plan to begin racing the car at the start of 2026 aligns with arrival timing published by Japanese magazines, which claim the road version is due to be unveiled and go on sale in mid-2025.
When asked if the road- or race-ready GR GT3 will wear Lexus badges, Mr Leupen said: “At the moment, it seems to be. It depends on how it develops within Toyota, but at the moment, yes.”
The GR GT3 concept was unveiled in January 2022 as a Toyota, but it was later seen at a Lexus dealer meeting in the US in September 2022 with Lexus badges (photo via CarBuzz and Lexus Enthusiast).
It was previously believed the final design of the Lexus LFA successor – expected to wear the LFR name – would be based on the Lexus Electrified Sport concept unveiled in December 2021 (below).
However it appears it may now draw more influence from the Toyota GR GT3 concept, supported by the latest computer illustrations of the vehicle from Japanese magazine Best Car, which has a track record of creating accurate illustrations of future Toyota models well before they are unveiled, based on information from company insiders.
The two concepts are similar in design – with similar proportions and rooflines – suggesting they may be closely related under the skin.
The production Lexus LFR is expected to launch with hybrid power, combining a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with an electric motor and rear-wheel drive for a power output in excess of 662kW (900 metric horsepower), according to Best Car.
An electric version could follow at a later date – as Lexus plans to go electric-only in North America, Europe and China by 2030, and globally by 2035 – but this is yet to be confirmed.
According to Best Car, the LFR is planned to use aluminium and carbon-fibre in its structure – aimed to make it more competitive in GT3 racing than the current Lexus RC F GT3, which is not believed to have been engineered for motor racing from the outset.
The new race car has already been seen testing in camouflage at the Toyota-owned Fuji Speedway circuit in Japan.
When asked if the LFR will compete in any other races before it comes to European circuits in 2026, Mr Leupen told Motorsport.com: “It will be tested. They have a clear view on what they want to do in Japan, so it’s a bit premature to make strong statements on this at the moment.”
More details of the 2026 Lexus LFR supercar are due closer to its showroom arrival in the next 24 to 36 months.
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