Toyota to race GR Supra with V8 power

The long-awaited rematch between an American V8 muscle car and a Supra is finally happening in 2026. In Australia.

Toyota is set to enter the Repco Supercars Championship, more commonly known as the Australian V8 Supercars with the GR Supra. The Japanese manufacturer has confirmed the five-year project and will field a minimum of four GR Supras.

The Japanese manufacturer is partnering with Walkinshaw Andretti United as its homologation team. For those not in the know, Walkinshaw Andretti United brings together some of the biggest names in motorsport. The team directors are Ryan Walkinshaw, Michael Andretti, and McLaren’s team principal Zak Brown. When combined, the team has seven Bathurst 1000 wins, six drivers’ championships, and 191 race wins to their credit. So yes, it’s going to be big.

They are taking the fight to the likes of the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the Supercars Championship with the GR Supra and will be the third OEM in the series. But wait, isn’t the GR Supra powered by a BMW inline-six turbo?

Well, say no more. This is no LS swap. The GR Supra will use Toyota’s very own 2UR-GSE. It’s an all-aluminum, quad-cam V8 found in models such as the one fitted to the Lexus IS F, RC F, GS F, LC 500, and IS 500. But more importantly, the same engine was also used as a base in the V8 engine that powered the 2019 Dakar-winning Hilux pickup truck.

Further details on the racecar will be announced in due course. As we know, the Skyline GT-R got its “Godzilla” moniker while racing in Australia. So is Toyota doing the same with the GR Supra? We’ll find out soon.