The Roar Returns: Toyota Supra's V8 Supercars Debut!

A New Era for Australian Motorsport: Toyota's Arrival

The Supercars Championship, formerly celebrated as V8 Supercars, has long been a bastion of high-octane racing. While the intense historical clashes between Ford and Holden have evolved, the series continues to captivate audiences with Chevrolet Camaros and Ford Mustangs battling it out across Australia and New Zealand. The landscape of this thrilling sport is set to transform dramatically in 2026 with the long-anticipated entry of Toyota, introducing a third manufacturer to the mix. After initial previews, Toyota has now officially unveiled its racing machine: a GR Supra, boasting a powerful, naturally aspirated V8 engine, promising to elevate the excitement quotient of the championship.

The GR Supra's Race-Ready Configuration and Team Lineup

Next year, six specially adapted GR Supra models, meticulously crafted to adhere to the series' current Gen3 regulations, will join the starting grid. Among these, two vehicles will be managed by the distinguished Walkinshaw Andretti United team, which has also played a crucial role in overseeing the car's homologation process. The remaining four GR Supras will be entered by Brad Jones Racing, setting the stage for a compelling new rivalry and an expanded field of top-tier competition.

Powering the Beast: The Heart of the GR Supra Racer

Beneath the sleek exterior of the racing GR Supra lies a formidable 5.0-liter naturally aspirated 2UR-GSE V8 engine, a race-tuned derivative of the powerplant found in acclaimed road cars like the Lexus LC500 and RC F. Although the Supercars series has diversified its engine regulations, moving beyond a strict V8-only mandate, all three participating manufacturers, including Toyota, have opted to continue with full-bore V8 configurations, ensuring the signature thunderous soundtrack of the championship remains intact.

Toyota's Motorsport Philosophy and the Supra's Legacy

Sean Hanley, Toyota's vice president of sales, marketing, and franchise operations in Australia, emphasized the profound link between motorsport and vehicle innovation at the car's unveiling. He stated that global motorsport participation is fundamental to the advancement of Toyota's road cars, with the accumulated experience and insights directly contributing to the Toyota Gazoo Racing brand and its performance-oriented GR vehicles. Even as the current generation Supra road car nears the end of its production cycle, its Supercars entry further solidifies its rich motorsport heritage, which already includes a GT4 variant, factory entries in Japan's Super GT championship, and participation in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

A Long-Term Commitment and Future Prospects for Supra

Toyota has publicly declared a commitment to competing in the Supercars Championship for a minimum of five years, indicating a substantial long-term investment in the series. This enduring commitment suggests potential future updates or evolutions of the racing model. Furthermore, recent statements, including those from Hanley himself, have hinted at the eventual release of another iteration of the Toyota Supra, ensuring the legendary nameplate's continued presence both on the track and on the road.