Toyota Gives The Supra A V8...

The Toyota GR Supra is set for a significant transformation: the addition of a V8 engine.

This shift from the current German-sourced straight-six to a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 for the Supercars Championship in Australia will place the GR Supra in direct competition with the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro in 2026. This engine, the 2UR-GSE, is borrowed from high-performance Lexus models like the LC 500 and RC-F and was also used in the rally-prepped Hilux that won the Dakar Rally in 2019.

The race car is being developed in-house by Toyota Australia and will comply with the Supercars Championship GEN3 regulations. Although full specifications are yet to be disclosed, Toyota has already teased the project through a clay model and digital renderings, suggesting extensive aerodynamic and chassis modifications.

The GR Supra will race in the colors of Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU), with Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood as the drivers. WAU has a storied history, having raced with Holden from 1987 until 2023 before switching to Ford. This new partnership with Toyota marks a significant shift for the team, which boasts six driver’s titles and 191 championship race wins.

Toyota’s entry into Supercars aims to provide valuable knowledge for developing its GR road cars, although a V8-powered production Supra is not expected. The GR Supra will continue with its six-cylinder engine until its rumored 2026 farewell. Just imagine what kind of weapon a real V8-powered Supra could be in the American muscle car scene—yeah, I'm imagining lots of hurt feelings.

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