Toyota's GR Supra set for Bathurst racing debut, coinciding with the departure of the road-going model from Australia

Toyota Unveils First Race-Ready GR Supra for 2026 Supercars Championship

Toyota has made a significant move in the Australian motorsport scene, revealing its first race-ready GR Supra for the 2026 Supercars Championship. The iconic sports car has completed a successful roll-out and will begin its development program at Winton.

The GR Supra's race car development is being handled by Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU), a former Holden Racing Team. This marks a shift from WAU's current Ford Mustang racers, signifying a new era in Australian touring car racing.

The GR Supra was unveiled a day after Toyota Australia closed the order books for the outgoing GR Supra road car. The new Supra's competition bodywork is designed and developed by Toyota Australia, while the heart of the GR Supra-car is a 5-litre 2UR-GSE V8 engine from the Lexus LC500 coupe, developed in Britain by Swindon Powertrain.

Brad Jones Racing (BJR) team is responsible for fielding and thus involved in the development of the GR Supra cars for the 2026 season. Four cars from BJR are also joining the GR Supra camp.

The GR Supra will undergo parity testing towards the end of the year in the USA to ensure it is equal to the cars it will race against from 2026. This testing is crucial to maintaining fair competition in the championship.

The race-specification V8 engine is installed by WAU, with shared elements from the tube-frame chassis to suspension and brakes. The new Supra is expected to produce more than 450 kiloWatts, promising an exciting and powerful performance on the track.

Demo laps of the GR Supra will be held at Mount Panorama in October, offering a sneak peek of the car's capabilities to fans. Supercars veteran Warren Luff will handle driving duties for the GR Supra during development.

Toyota's entry into the Supercars Championship is aimed at promoting and lifting awareness of the GR performance brand. The company insists there is a long-term future for the Supra nameplate in Australia, despite ending its collaboration with BMW.

This is the first time a newcomer has entered the red-against-blue tribal fight in Supercars since Volvo, Nissan, and Mercedes left touring car racing. Toyota's top selling position in Australia further solidifies its presence in the motorsport scene.

With the GR Supra set to hit the starting grid in the opening race of season 2026, the Australian motorsport landscape is gearing up for an exciting new chapter.

Toyota's GR Supra set for Bathurst racing debut, coinciding with the departure of the road-going model from Australia