Big wings and trick aero for Toyota’s new GT3.

Toyota has a great deal of front-engined sportscar heritage to trade on. And the company’s boss, Akio Toyoda, is keen on not allowing that legacy to go unheralded.

As part of its presence at the Tokyo auto show, Toyota has shown a new interpretation of its legendary GT2000, with a 2022 road racer feel. The original Toyota sportscar, which had a starring role in the 1967 James Bond movie ‘You Only Live Twice’, is regarded as the start of Toyota’s ascendence to a global automotive superpower.

The new concept car is called the GR GT3, which doesn’t align closely with any of the brand’s historical or current performance car models.

Although the front-engined proportions are similar to Toyota’s J29, it appears to be a much more focussed driver’s car, than even the current Supra. And it is too large, to be considered a reborn MR2 – not to mention the issue of GR GT3 not appearing to be mid-engined.

Hidden streak headlights, a wraparound lightbar at the rear, huge wings, winglets and intake streaks are all the kind of design features we are more accustomed to seeing on Lamborghinis, than Toyotas.

The overall design theme is dramatic. A long bonnet (hinting at a large displacement powertrain) and sloping roofline are classic GT road racer. But the GT3 affix alludes to something that is very driver-focussed, in the spirit of Porsche’s most rewarding 911s.

Toyota might be angling to increase customer participation in its GT3 customer car racing business. Still, there is no question that GR GT3 will have the imagination of Gazoo road car fans interested, too.

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