New Lexus GT3 Car On Target for 2026 Debut

Toyota Racing Development President David Wilson has provided an update on the introduction of the marque’s next-generation GT3 car, clarifying it is on course for a 2026 debut.

Toyota first revealed the GR GT3 Concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January 2022, and since then development has intensified ahead of the car’s much-anticipated debut in worldwide competition, with the car having been spotted running on tracks such as Fuji Speedway and Mobility Resort Motegi last year.

While there has been little in the way of announcements since 2022, it is expected that the new car will be branded a Lexus and race in series such as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, FIA World Endurance Championship and SUPER GT.

The anticipated launch of a new road-going Toyota/Lexus model is also understood to have played a role in dictating the timeline of the race car’s introduction.

Speaking to Sportscar365 ahead of last weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, Wilson said he is “proud” of the “unprecedented” way in which Lexus Racing in North America has been asked to contribute to the development of the new GT3 racer, which has included loaning out factory drivers Jack Hawksworth and Ben Barnicoat to participate in testing.

“The timeline [for the new car’s introduction] is still 2026-ish, and development continues to go well,” Wilson said.

“The credibility we’ve earned racing here in North America racing the RC F and winning the first GT3 title for Lexus has allowed us to participate indirectly in the development of this new car, providing a lot of feedback and setting the performance targets. 

“Track testing continues to go well in Japan, and our hope is that there will be testing outside of Japan given that it will be a global race car, and that track surfaces in Europe, Asia and North America are all different.”

Asked to clarify ‘2026-ish’ Wilson replied: “I say that simply because there hasn’t been a formal announcement yet, and that’s the practical goal we are working towards. 

“The homologation has to be done and there are a lot of steps involved. Everything is going to plan, but you have to leave yourselves a bit of leeway.”

Wilson hinted that the car could make its competition debut in the 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona, saying it “would be the plan” for the new Lexus to make its debut in all major markets – North America, Europe and Japan – in the same year.

“It’s one global homologation, and there’s a timeline for that,” he said. “From a global perspective, the first line in the sand is right here in Daytona. I think globally that’s how we would look at it.”

The existing RC F GT3 made its full competition debut back in 2017, and is entering its eighth season of service, which will include a debut in the WEC’s new LMGT3 class courtesy of a two-car effort from Akkodis ASP with support from Toyota.

With the replacement model due to race in 2026, next year is likely to mark the final hurrah for the RC F GT3 that won last year’s WeatherTech Championship GTD Pro title.

“Looking back to when we debuted this car, one of the first questions I was asked was, ‘What is your goal?’,” reflected Wilson. “I said, ‘it starts with the goal to be racing ten years from now.’ Here we stand eight years later, and I am proud of that fact in and of itself. 

“With Lexus we have had some stops and starts with racing. And ultimately, to build performance as a credible brand attribute, you have to race every year. 

“We are off to a great start building a platform for Lexus, and there’s no question that it has lifted the brand as pertains to performance.”