The hypercar/supercar wars are heating up, and the mid-engine C8 Corvette has a new rival to worry about: a Toyota hypercar. The Japanese automaker confirmed its intentions to build a hypercar based on the GR Super Sport on Friday ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Per Toyota, the hypercar will carry a lot of influence from its LMP1 program in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).
“We started this project because we believe that creating a super sports car that delivers the same appeal as the TS050 Hybrid greatly adds to Toyota’s involvement in the WEC,” said Toyota Gazoo Racing boss Shigeki Tomoyama. “And at some point in the near future, customers will have a chance to get behind the wheel of this incredible machine and experience its astonishing power and driving performance.”
The GR Super Sport boasts a 2.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine with an electric-drive system to provide a total power output around 1,000 horsepower.
Perhaps not so coincidentally, the mid-engine Corvette may also have a power figure around the four-digit mark. Recent reports suggest the C8 Corvette will eventually add an electrified mid-engine car to the lineup with an all-wheel-drive system to make 1,000 hp.
It’s unclear when the C8 Corvette will officially break cover, but our bet is on next year. Toyota said its hypercar will arrive after the new Supra, which is expected to debut at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show.
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Slightly related…
I was recently at an IMSA event and paid particular attention to the GT class. I found it hilarious that the “old” Corvettes and Ford GTs absolutely obliterated the new BMW 8 Series (which is so fresh that the racecar variants still had zebra camo).
Sucks to have your flagship DOA, but hey— better to happen to BMW than GM.
Toyota can build a super car, but if it takes any styling Q’s from the current Toyota or Lexus line it be UGLEEEE and therefore no real competition to the new mid-engine Corvette, except among those with really bad taste.
Toyota hypercar, no need to worry. The mission of Chevrolet is to sell 30k vettes per year unlike a hypercar where 1k is a lot. A spots car for the masses . I would worry about that front engine super versatile GTR. Like a proper pedestrian sports car it’s comfortable, can carry groceries, is reliable, reasonably quite, and can eat it’s competition alive as well as many above it’s beltline. forget the limited run supercars and hypercars. Forget the the Ford GT, Maclaren and most Ferrari’s and Lambos. They are in another league and that comes with a price. Oh, and if u can’t afford them, they collectively don’t care since most are investments anyway.
AWD evens the playing field. The GTR will no longer be the only AWD car but may be the only one boosting 30+ PSI while others are still at 15 PSI v8 making it same hp numbers.
This Hypercar is related to the new regulations which the ACO and FIA are planning for the period starting in 2020.
The idea is to attract again more manufacturers which have abondoned the P1 and P2 prototype categories (except Toyota, who had finally after so many many years get a victory at one of the most important motorsport events), by lowering the cost and allowing the manufacturers to give their special built race cars are design more recognizeable as of a specific brand.
How can you suggest a Hypercar is in the same category (ie. “Corvette rival”) as a Super car….pfffffff.
Will the ceiling be 1,000-horsepower or will Hypercar by their very name mean almost no limitations which means Michelin will get a chance to test their 300mph capable tires.
As long as there is a sanction it will have a BoP so it doesn’t matter if the ceiling is a 1000hp.
Not all is equal due to tq numbers. Higher the tq higher the BoP… aka the c7…