Toyota Returns to Supercars in 2026 with V8 Supra: Aiming for Championship Glory
September 18, 2024Through its participation in Supercars, Toyota hopes to enhance brand exposure in Australia, complementing its existing sponsorships in sports like AFL and Cricket Australia.
Supercars CEO Shane Howard hailed Toyota's commitment as a landmark moment for the championship, emphasizing its international appeal.
Despite speculation regarding the future of the Supra and BMW Z4, Toyota remains dedicated to motorsport and its involvement in the Supercars Championship.
This will be Toyota's first competition in the Supercars Championship since 1993, when it last participated with the Corolla SX.
Toyota plans to unveil a full-scale model of the Supra Supercar at the Bathurst 1000 next month, having previously only shown renderings and a scaled model.
Toyota has announced its return to the Supercars Championship, set to debut in 2026 with its iconic Supra sports car, joining the ranks of Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.
This marks a significant shift for Toyota, which has hesitated to enter the championship for decades, now committing to a minimum participation timeline of five years.
The Supra will be equipped with a 5.0-litre V8 engine, a departure from its road variant that features a turbocharged six-cylinder engine, aligning with the championship's racing architecture.
The V8 engine, known internally as 2UR-GSE, has a proven track record, having powered Lexus performance cars and Toyota's Dakar-winning HiLux.
Toyota will be represented by Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU), which is transitioning from its previous association with Ford, and plans to field four cars to enhance competitiveness.
Despite the trend towards less mainstream V8 engines due to environmental policies, Toyota's use of biofuels in Supercars aims to reduce emissions.
Executives at Toyota express confidence in their chances for success, aiming to change the company's historical performance in the series.
Summary based on 4 sources
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Sources
CarExpert • Sep 17, 2024
Toyota V8 returns as Supra locked in for SupercarsCarExpert • Sep 17, 2024
Toyota Supra a “natural fit” for SupercarsCarExpert • Sep 17, 2024
Why Toyota is finally going racing in Supercars