The successor to the Lexus LFA has been generating 10-cylinders’ worth of hype. Spy shots, the Toyota GT Concept, and even running and driving cars tackling the Nürburgring and the Goodwood Festival of Speed have all firmly grabbed our attention.
But a new report from Japan allegedly puts a wet blanket on the excitement. A suggestion that the V8-powered future Toyota or Lexus (or both?) supercar is going to be delayed. If the report is true, it could also mean the car arrives with less horsepower than was originally planned.
The report comes from Japan’s Best Car. The site says that “a reliable source” told it the GT3 racing cars were set to arrive as planned by the end of 2025, but that the road car would be delayed. The new LFA, or LFR as we believe it could be called, would be pushed into early 2026 and possibly even further.
According to the report, the delay could cause a snowball effect. If the car doesn’t launch on time, it would then need to meet stricter exhaust emissions standards in some markets. Changing the standards it needs to meet could make the delays even longer as engineers need to adapt the car and then certify it to the new rules.
Crucially, a delay could mean less horsepower. Current emissions rules in the EU have already led to some cars making less horsepower. The Ford Mustang, for example, makes 40 hp less there in order to meet emissions. The latest Audi RS3 makes seven fewer horses. For reference, reports hint that the car was planned to make 700 horsepower from its twin-turbo V8 and hybrid system, with the race car developing between 500 and 600.
The potential for big changes like this means that if the car is delayed, there must be a very serious reason. Something that is crucial enough that Toyota can’t avoid the other problems a delay could cause.
But, it’s important to note that this “if” is a big one. Best Car sometimes has some very early insider information about what’s going on with cars in Japan and the industry in the country. Other times, its reports are way off the mark. With all the goings-on surrounding the launch of Toyota’s new supercar, we absolutely want it to arrive on time and at max power. If the report is accurate, then the delay would be very disappointing. If it’s not, then we now have an even better idea as to when to expect the new model.
A November debut for the racing cars would mean that they should be ready for the start of the GT racing season in Japan. The Super GT Series, the biggest touring car series in the country, opens its 2026 calendar at the Okayama Circuit on April 11. The GT World Challenge Asia, another likely series for the car, starts its season April 4 at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.
The new model would be the first “real” supercar from Toyota and the second to wear a Lexus badge. The 2010-2012 LFA was its first, powered by a 4.8-liter V10 engine. It took 10 years to develop that car, and only 500 were built.
Source: Best Car
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Your comment has not been saved
This thread is open for discussion.
Be the first to post your thoughts.
It’s a rough start, but Lucid expects better numbers in the second half of the year
For the first time in decades, the US is no longer the biggest exporter of cars to Canada.
We wish we could buy one.
In 2025, Cadillac is going after the mighty Rolls-Royce with its Celestiq, though it thought about doing so over a decade ago with a luxury coupe.
And why you shouldn’t either.
Mercedes may turn to BMW to source engines for its next-generation hybrid vehicles.
