Toyota and Lexus are on the verge of launching two seriously ambitious sports coupes that are closely related. Toyota’s is an all-out combustion-engined performance monster, while the Lexus will be a more high-tech electric take on the idea. Toyota has particularly emphasized that the GR GT will be the basis of a GT3 race car. So, it’s a bit surprising to hear that the company may be readying a convertible version, as open-top driving isn’t usually a race car priority.
The Details Are Scarce
The report comes via a Japanese car magazine called Magazine X, which was further reported by Car Sensor, a Japanese car news website. The report also just came down to saying that there will be two variants of the GR GT, besides the standard coupe and the GT3 race car. These would include a convertible, which the outlets believe will be a targa top model, and a higher-performance version of the regular coupe.
Toyota GR GTToyota
Even though the idea of a convertible version seems a bit silly to us for a car that’s so clearly designed with motorsport in mind, it would at least make more sense as a targa. It would be the lightest and most cost-efficient option, and would likely preserve the most structural rigidity.
A higher-performance GR GT, meanwhile, seems inevitable. Even the old Lexus LFA, which never got a production convertible variant, still had a more serious version offered. It was called the Nürburgring Edition, and it picked up an extra 10 horsepower, aerodynamic aids, BBS wheels, retuned suspension, stickier tires, and an upgraded transmission. It was also only made in double-digit numbers. We wouldn’t be surprised if the extreme GR GT would follow a similar upgrade path and similarly reduced availability.
Lexus LFA Concept EV Exterior Front QuarterLexus
A Convertible GR GT Implies A Convertible LFA
Since the GR GT shares much of its platform with the new all-electric Lexus LFA, it would seem that Lexus could do similar things with its version. So, if Toyota can pop the top on the GR GT, we don’t see any reason that Lexus couldn’t do the same. In fact, Lexus would likely be able to implement a traditional folding top if it wants to, since the LFA doesn’t have the same lightweight, motorsport-adjacent goals as the Toyota. After all, being an EV, it’s going to be heavy, so folding mechanisms and added reinforcements won’t be a huge detriment, and the electric torque would hide it well anyway. It would make for a nice successor of sorts to the dearly departed Lexus LC convertible, too.
Lexus could probably create a more hardcore LFA, again like the GR GT. However, considering the more luxurious, more road-focused personality the LFA will probably have, it likely wouldn’t be as good of a fit as it would be with the GR GT. Of course, Toyota and Lexus have surprised us before.
Toyota GR GT Side ViewToyota
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Even though Toyota made it pretty clear that a big part of why it’s making the GR GT is to give the company a top-tier GT3-class racecar, this report suggests the GR GT won’t just be a homologation special. Toyota seems to want to also make something special for future owners and fans of the brand, not just check a regulation box. So, we have high hopes for the final car, as well as its Lexus cousin, in all of their body styles and editions.
Source: Car Sensor via Magazine X
