Toyota Supra GT4 racer concept unveiled

The list of proposed race cars based on the Toyota Supra grows longer as Toyota announces a concept for the GT-spec Toyota GR Supra GT4.

While it’s called a concept for now, Toyota’s plans for other Supra racers (such as the NASCAR and Super GT cars) would suggest that we’ll eventually see the Toyota A90 Supra taking to the track in GT endurance races.

The BMW straight-six engine from the road car forming the basis for the race engine, but Toyota hasn’t yet confirmed what figures the 3.0-litre unit could make in motorsport mode.

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Toyota hopes the “slightly longer and lower” car, designed to comply with GT4 regulations, could provide an affordable entry into GT4 racing.

The diffuser, wing, and front splitter are three of the most obvious changes necessary to make the Supra an effective GT4 car, while the caged interior and racing seats are surrounded by a still recognisably stock dash – albeit a very-BMW one.

The materials for these parts are not carbon fibre, but hemp and flax, which Toyota hopes will reduce the environmental impact of its construction.

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Toyota Australia chief marketing officer Wayne Gabriel says that, as the Supra was built using Gazoo Racing’s motorsport know how and a lot of track testing, it makes sense to then use that car in a real motorsport setting.

"The dynamic abilities of the upcoming GR Supra have been honed on the track using lessons learned from our global motorsport activities under the banner of Toyota GAZOO Racing," Gabriel says.

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"A GT4 racing version will offer even greater performance, building on the supreme handling and agility from the production car's front-engine, rear-drive layout, its rigid lightweight body and perfectly balanced chassis.”

Toyota says that if it goes into production, it’ll become another aspect of the brand’s renewed commitment to motorsport.