Melbourne (TDI): The street-legal Supra with four- and six-cylinder BMW engines is currently offered by Toyota. The track-only GT4 version likewise employs a Bavarian-made inline-six.
But by 2026, the company’s Australian division will cram in a massive V-8 that was created internally. The Repco Supercars Championship race car will be powered by a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated engine.
The V-8 Supra will acquire the 2UR-GSE, an aluminum engine that powers a variety of Toyota vehicles, if you recognize your engines by their internal codenames.
While the RC F, LC 500, and IS 500 F Sport versions are still firing on all cylinders, the IS F and GS F had it. It was also discovered in the 2019 Dakar Rally-winning Hilux pickup truck.
Under the 2023–2024 Gen3 rulebook, Toyota intends to participate in the Supercars Championship for a minimum of five years. Ford Mustang’s Coyote 5.4-liter engine will face off against the hard-core Supra.
Presently, Chevrolet teams use a 5.7-liter V-8 Camaro, but since the muscle vehicle passed away by the end of 2023, an unidentified replacement is due soon.
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Between Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood, who drive for the Walkinshaw Andretti United squad, Toyota will enter a minimum of four GR Supra race cars. Not much is known about the other team at this time.
“We are thrilled to extend that partnership into Walkinshaw Andretti United – we can’t wait to share success together in 2026 and beyond,” said Ryan Walkinshaw, Director of WAU.
“We have developed a fantastic relationship with Toyota Australia through the Walkinshaw Group.
The rest of 2024 and 2025 seasons, winning races, and closing our association with Ford on a positive note are our immediate priorities, even though the future is undoubtedly interesting.”
“With the right team, the right car, and a solid relationship with the Repco Supercars Championship, the timing is finally right for Toyota to compete in Supercars,” according to Sean Hanley, Vice President for Sales, Marketing, and Franchise Operations at Toyota Australia.
The company has been considering a Supercar career for more than 20 years.
WAU will begin racing Toyota Supras in 2026 in place of Ford Mustangs. In Melbourne, Australia, the Walkinshaw Automotive Group is already working with Toyota to convert Tundra trucks to right-hand drive.
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With Toyota’s entry, there will be three manufacturers competing in the Repco Supercars Championship for the first time since 2019.
Mercedes, Nissan, and Volvo all participated in the championship in the previous ten years before quitting.
