Electric Cars

Toyota's highly anticipated GR GT supercar has been revealed, promising a formidable presence in the high-performance automotive sector. This grand touring machine, set to enter production in 2027, embodies Toyota Gazoo Racing's commitment to pushing performance boundaries. With its dramatic styling, potent powertrain, and meticulous engineering, the GR GT is poised to challenge established supercar brands. Its design prioritizes aerodynamic efficiency, while a powerful twin-turbo V8 engine paired with an advanced eight-speed automatic transmission delivers impressive power exclusively to the rear wheels. The interior further enhances the performance experience with race-inspired features and refined craftsmanship.

This new flagship model stands as a spiritual heir to the legendary Toyota 2000GT, blending historical reverence with cutting-edge automotive technology. While sharing a fundamental form with its GR GT3 racing counterpart, the road-legal GR GT distinguishes itself through a more refined aesthetic, opting for sleek lines over overt racing appendages. The absence of traditional Toyota badging underscores its elite status within the brand's performance division, signaling a new era for Toyota's high-performance offerings.

The GR GT's Commanding Presence and Aerodynamic Mastery

The Toyota GR GT emerges as a striking supercar, destined for production in 2027, poised to redefine the brand's performance image. This vehicle, unveiled with a potent V8 engine and commanding physical attributes, pays homage to the legendary 2000GT while asserting its modern capabilities. Its design is characterized by an extended length of nearly 190 inches, a substantial width of 78.4 inches, and an exceptionally low stance of only 47 inches. These precise dimensions are not merely for show; they underscore Toyota's deep-seated commitment to aerodynamic efficiency, ensuring that every curve and contour contributes to optimal performance and handling dynamics. The aggressive rear styling, featuring a continuous lighting strip and four exhaust outlets, further emphasizes its performance-oriented nature.

More than just its outward appearance, the GR GT's design ethos places function firmly ahead of form. Toyota engineers meticulously sculpted the vehicle's aerodynamics before finalizing its visual elements, a testament to its track-bred pedigree. This rigorous approach ensures that the GR GT is not just visually appealing but also exceptionally capable on the road. The car's expansive dimensions contribute to a dominant road presence, hinting at the raw power contained within. This deliberate design strategy reflects Toyota's ambition to position the GR GT as a serious competitor against renowned European supercars, blending a rich racing heritage with future-forward performance and design principles.

Powertrain Prowess and Refined Interior Craftsmanship

Underneath the expansive hood of the Toyota GR GT lies a sophisticated and powerful powertrain, setting new benchmarks for Toyota's performance division. The heart of this supercar is a dry-sumped 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, engineered to unleash a staggering 641 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. This formidable engine is seamlessly integrated with a state-of-the-art transaxle-mounted electric motor, culminating in an innovative hybrid setup that optimizes both power delivery and efficiency. Power is exclusively channeled to the rear wheels through a newly developed eight-speed automatic transmission. This advanced gearbox incorporates a wet-start clutch, moving away from a traditional torque converter setup, which promises to deliver razor-sharp responses and incredibly quick gear shifts, enhancing the overall driving experience. This potent combination ensures exhilarating acceleration and dynamic performance that rivals the best in its class.

The interior of the GR GT is equally compelling, reflecting a meticulous attention to detail and a clear focus on the driver. Stepping inside, one is immediately greeted by a vibrant red color scheme that permeates the cabin, creating an atmosphere of exhilarating performance. A flat-bottom steering wheel provides a tactile connection to the road, while bespoke digital gauges offer critical driving information in a clear and engaging format. Despite the integration of a central touchscreen for infotainment and navigation, Toyota has thoughtfully retained several physical controls for essential functions such as climate control temperature and defogging, blending modern technology with intuitive usability. The ultra-low seating position, achieved through specialized Recaro seats also finished in sporty red, is a direct result of extensive efforts to lower the car's center of gravity. This design choice not only enhances driving dynamics but also signifies a departure from conventional Toyota interiors, showcasing an elevated level of craftsmanship and a more premium, driver-centric environment, further solidifying the GR GT's status as a true flagship supercar.

A timeless automotive icon is experiencing a magnificent revival, as Encor breathes new life into the beloved Lotus Esprit. Fifty years after its initial debut, the Encor Series 1 stands as a testament to thoughtful modernization, meticulously preserving the original's distinctive character while addressing its historical shortcomings. This ambitious project aims to elevate the Esprit for enthusiasts who cherish its aesthetic and desire contemporary performance and reliability, provided the significant investment is not an impediment.

The transformation begins with a ground-up approach to materials and design. Encor’s engineers digitally scanned an authentic Esprit, then subtly refined its contours rather than radically altering them, ensuring the unmistakable wedge profile endures. The original two-piece fiberglass body has been replaced by a singular, autoclaved carbon-fiber shell, drastically reducing weight and enhancing structural integrity. Beyond aesthetics, functional upgrades include a wider stance to accommodate modern tires and improved cooling, along with pop-up headlights that now conceal advanced LED projectors. The redesigned wheels pay homage to classic Lotus motifs but are crafted using contemporary forged construction, contributing to a vehicle that appears more refined than overtly flashy.

Beneath the sleek carbon-fiber exterior, the Series 1 boasts a meticulously restored Lotus Esprit V8 chassis, re-engineered for optimal performance. The mid-mounted 3.5-liter twin-turbo V8 engine has undergone a comprehensive overhaul, featuring forged internal components, upgraded turbochargers, and state-of-the-art fuel and cooling systems, all complemented by a stainless-steel exhaust. This powerhouse generates an impressive 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. Coupled with a targeted curb weight of under 2,650 pounds, the car promises exhilarating acceleration, with an estimated 0-62 mph time of approximately four seconds and a top speed approaching 175 mph. A refined five-speed manual gearbox, enhanced with Quaife hardware, addresses one of the original Esprit's persistent criticisms. Inside, the cockpit retains its iconic angled dashboard and tartan seat accents, while seamlessly integrating modern infotainment and climate control systems with an analog-inspired aesthetic. This exclusive restomod will be limited to just 50 units globally, with a starting price of around $540,000, excluding taxes, options, and the required donor vehicle. Deliveries are anticipated to commence in the second quarter of 2026, offering a unique opportunity to own a piece of automotive heritage, brilliantly revitalized for a new era.

This innovative blend of heritage and contemporary engineering showcases how dedication to craftsmanship and a forward-thinking approach can not only honor the past but also forge a path to an even more exciting future, proving that true excellence can always be reimagined and refined.