Toyota has signaled its intent to field a GT3 car in the near future with the unveiling of the GR GT3 concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon. Although technical details of the machine have yet to be revealed, Koji Sato, president of Gazoo Racing (responsible for the marque’s motorsport activities), said simulation work is already underway and hinted that the car will appear on track by the end of 2022.
Sato also noted that the GR GT3 will continue the precedent set by the Yaris GR of taking a more human-centric approach to car development, using motorsport and its focus on driver experience to shape future racing and road models.
Looking to Toyota’s wider portfolio and the company’s plans to make Lexus an all-electric brand – complementing its other efforts with ICE, hydrogen (combustion and fuel cell) and hybrids – Sato revealed that motorsport will be used to inform the development of a lightweight, driver-focused BEV. “We are going after all of the energy options; we want to appeal to car lovers. We are going to have a lot of expectations from BEV in the future, to provide the taste of driving. To do that, we have to really enhance the base performance of the car, make it light, give it power. Motorsport is a venue for honing that. We go back to the basics and, based on that performance, develop a completely new BEV.”
