Toyota GR Super Sport Concept Teased

Toyota has been slowly shedding its sensible (read boring) carmaker image. In European markets, the change began with the Toyota Yaris GRMN, a hatchback powered by a supercharged 1.8-litre engine which can accelerate from 0-100kmph in 6.3 seconds. Back in 2014, Toyota had many enthusiasts around the world drooling when it showcased the FT-1 Concept, raising hopes of the return of the legendary Supra nameplate. Toyota was expected to show a near-production version of the FT-1 sometime in 2017. Although that never happened, the company has teased a new sportscar, the GR Super Sport Concept.

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Unlike the FT-1/Supra (or whatever the company ends up calling it when launched), the GR Super Sport Concept is more of a race car made for the road. Toyota says that the GR (Gazoo Racing) Super Sport Concept is, “a concept car [that] originate[d] from participation in the WEC, as one example of how technological feedback acquired through motorsports activities is incorporated.” Toyota will be the only factory-supported team to compete in the premiere LMP1 category of the 2018 FIA World Endurance Championship as increased costs and greener pastures in racing series like Formula-E have lured Audi and Porsche away.

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Apart from the teaser image shown above, Toyota has not released any details about the GR Super Sport Concept. Nobody knows if this will even be a road-legal car, or will just remain a concept car for eternity. With its swooping body, distinct cockpit and chassis design, long and wide rear wing and a hint of a shark-fin stabiliser over the engine cover, the GR Super Sport Concept is certainly influenced by the Toyota TS050 Hybrid. The TS050 Hybrid is powered by a 2.4-litre, twin-turbocharged V6 paired with an 8-megajoule electric system powered by lithium-ion batteries. 

For now, we know that the car will be revealed to the public at the 2018 Auto Salon in Japan which begins on January 12, 2017. 

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