Powerplay Stuns - The Goodwood Festival of Speed has always been a spectacle where heritage meets innovation, and this year was no exception. Amid the roar of engines and a crowd buzzing with anticipation, Toyota chose this stage to drop an unexpected yet thrilling surprise: not one, but two high-performance sports cars—the Toyota GT Concept and its track-focused sibling, the GT Racing Concept. With no prior teasers or hints, their sudden debut took center stage and stirred conversations not just about speed, but about the future of performance motoring under the Toyota and Lexus names.
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A pair of Toyota concept cars—the GT Concept and its track-focused sibling, the GT Racing Concept—stunned at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed. (Picture from: RoadAndTrack) |
These two machines didn’t just sit pretty—they tackled the iconic Goodwood hill with purpose, signaling a clear intent from Toyota to deepen its roots in competitive motorsport. The GT Racing Concept, in particular, isn’t just a showpiece; it’s shaping up to be a serious contender for the FIA GT3 category. That ambition isn't built overnight. According to the drivers behind the wheel, development on these cars has been underway for over four years, with extensive circuit testing taking place over the past 18 months. It’s a slow burn that’s clearly starting to bear fruit.
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The striking bright red interior of the Toyota GT aka. Lexus LFR road version was revealed to the public during its debut at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed. (Picture from: idMotor1) |
Interestingly, the two cars—while sharing the same core DNA—are designed with very different goals in mind. The GT Racing Concept screams aggression, flaunting its oversized rear wing, minimalist side windows, dramatic side exhausts, and a commanding vertical wiper that looks straight out of endurance racing. Everything about it is optimized for downforce and speed, and its howling exhaust note leaves no doubt about its pure motorsport intentions.
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The Toyota GT, aka the Lexus LFR road version, comes with a predominantly red interior that includes carbon fiber bucket seats divided by a wide center console, and while a manual gearbox was never likely, it features a compact selector for its automatic transmission. (Picture from: idMotor1) |
By contrast, the GT, believed to be called the Lexus LFR, adopts a more refined approach. It’s the road-going counterpart, softened just enough to comply with street regulations but still brimming with attitude. The design is sleeker, the noise more measured, and while its core remains performance-focused, it carries itself with the maturity of a grand tourer meant for everyday thrills. | lH6EnbFV5Z0 |
The LFR’s interior, which was glimpsed during the event’s livestream, leans heavily into premium sports car territory. The red-themed cabin is headlined by carbon-fiber bucket seats and a wide center console. A compact gear selector replaces any hope of a manual option, hinting at a high-tech automatic transmission, likely built for precision rather than drama. A large central touchscreen is flanked by physical controls, and digital screens replace both the instrument cluster and rearview mirror. It’s clear this isn’t a revival of the past—it’s a redefinition of Lexus performance going forward.
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The Toyota GR GT3 Concept first seen at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon will become the Lexus LFR. (Picture from: idMotor1) |
What powers these machines? That’s still under wraps, but all signs point to a V8 engine lurking beneath the sculpted hoods—possibly a twin-turbocharged setup or even a hybrid system. The speculation is not without basis; the growl from the exhausts at Goodwood was unmistakably eight-cylinder, and Japanese reports hint at hybrid assistance that could push output close to 700 horsepower. Such figures would place the LFR in the same realm as the world’s top-tier supercars, giving Lexus a true halo vehicle to succeed the legendary LFA.
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The Toyota GR GT3 Concept is gearing up the automaker to return to the spotlight with a bold, beautiful, and technologically advanced sports car. (Picture from: idMotor1) |
As for the GT Racing Concept, it’s expected to officially enter GT3 racing in 2026, aligning with FIA homologation rules that require a close relationship between the race and road versions. This strategic move will put Toyota and Lexus alongside storied manufacturers like Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Porsche in offering race-ready machines to customer teams globally.
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The Toyota GR GT3 Concept expected to officially enter GT3 racing in 2026, aligning with FIA homologation rules that require a close relationship between the race and road versions. (Picture from: idMotor1) |
The Goodwood reveal marks the first time the public has seen both of these cars in motion, and while the full spec sheets are still under wraps, the intent behind them couldn’t be clearer. Lexus is gearing up to return to the spotlight with a bold, beautiful, and technologically advanced sports car. Meanwhile, Toyota Gazoo Racing is sharpening its edge for track dominance.
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The Toyota GR GT3 Concept supercar boasts a twin-turbo V8 hybrid and is intended to be the successor to the Lexus LFA.. (Picture from: idMotor1) |

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