Akmal Azhar
A New Era for Toyota in Supercars
Toyota has unveiled its all-new Supra racing machine, set to make its competitive debut in the 2026 Supercars Championship. The car was revealed at the Bathurst 1000 launch event in Sydney, following the clay model presentation last October, signaling Toyota’s serious commitment to Australian touring car racing.
The Supra’s Racing DNA
Drawing on its proven track record in Japan’s SUPER GT series, the GR Supra has been developed into a Supercars-ready contender. The prototype recently completed shakedown laps at Toyota’s Altona facility near Melbourne with Neil Crompton at the wheel, kicking off a broader testing program. Fans will see the car in action with demonstration runs at Bathurst next month.
A V8 Heart Built for Competition
Under the bonnet sits a 5.2-litre, quad-cam V8 designed within Gen3 Supercars rules. It features a square 94 × 94 mm bore and stroke, hydraulic variable-valve timing, and a unique inlet manifold. The engine’s sound has already drawn praise, with Walkinshaw Andretti United director Ryan Walkinshaw describing it as “sounding f***ing good.”
Expanding the Supercars Manufacturer Lineup
Toyota becomes the first new manufacturer in the championship since 2019, joining Ford and Chevrolet. Walkinshaw Andretti United will switch from Mustangs to run two Supras with Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood, while Brad Jones Racing will add four more Supras after leaving Chevrolet, significantly boosting Toyota’s presence on the grid.
Toyota’s Motorsport Legacy
Sean Hanley, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations at Toyota Australia, highlighted the importance of the brand’s motorsport heritage dating back to the 1957 Mobilgas Round Australia Rally. He emphasized that competition remains central to Toyota’s identity, with lessons from the track feeding into the company’s performance-focused GR road cars.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The Supra will be showcased and demonstrated at this year’s Bathurst 1000 before undergoing aerodynamic, dyno, and wind tunnel testing. The car’s official race debut is set for the opening round of the 2026 season in February, marking a historic new chapter for both Toyota and the Supercars Championship.
Yusri Ng
