Toyota and Lexus tease the interiors of their upcoming GT and LFR prototypes at Goodwood
At this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, Toyota and Lexus offered enthusiasts a rare early glimpse of what appears to be their next flagship supercar. Dubbed the Toyota GT Prototype, the camouflaged model was seen alongside its racing counterpart, the GT3-spec version. While official naming remains undecided, insiders and visual cues suggest the production car could eventually debut as the Lexus LFR.
Interior first look
The official Goodwood livestream captured the first detailed look inside the road-going prototype's cabin. The interior leans towards a motorsport-inspired setup, blending performance materials with luxury elements. Carbon-fibre racing-style bucket seats, padded more generously than pure track variants, dominate the layout. Red leather and Alcantara upholstery pair with aluminium accents to create a modern, purposeful atmosphere.
A large infotainment screen takes centre stage, positioned above a row of physical switches, emphasising driver engagement alongside contemporary tech.
Also Read : Lexus NX 350h Overtrail Review: For the sophisticated adventurer Long-developed project
According to Toyota Gazoo Racing drivers, the development of this new supercar has been ongoing for over four years. Unlike typical industry practice of concealing prototypes until full reveals, Toyota and Lexus chose to showcase both road and race versions at Goodwood, offering an unusually transparent preview.
Both vehicles were first previewed by the GR GT3 Concept in 2022, and they're expected to replace the Lexus RC F GT3 on the racing front while introducing a fresh road-going model positioned above the Lexus LC500. Also watch: The Lexus NX 350h Overtrail edition gets a 2.5 litre hybrid engine producing 237 bhp. Watch for more Expected engine and performance
While Toyota and Lexus have not confirmed technical specifications, strong indications suggest both models house a powerful V8 engine. This V8 is likely supplemented by twin turbochargers and an electric motor, with potential combined outputs speculated to exceed 800 horsepower.
If confirmed, this would far surpass the Lexus LFA's naturally aspirated V10, which produced 553 hp back in 2012, a clear sign of how performance benchmarks have evolved.
Also Read : Toyota Glanza Prestige Edition launched, now gets 6 airbags as standard Design and market positioning
Visually, both prototypes feature an elongated bonnet, a wide front grille, and a distinctive rear design. The road-going car is fitted with four tailpipes and a subtle lip spoiler, while the GT3-spec racer sports a more aggressive aerodynamic package, including a large rear wing.
When it reaches production, this supercar is expected to rival high-performance models like the Aston Martin Vantage and Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S. It will also offer a notable performance step up from the Lexus LC500. Launch timeline
Though still referred to as the 'Toyota GT Prototype' and 'LFR' interchangeably, the final branding, whether under Lexus, Toyota, or Gazoo Racing, has yet to be confirmed. Current indications point to a global unveiling either by late 2025 or sometime in 2026.
Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2025, Best SUVs in India.
First Published Date: 12 Jul 2025, 10:45 am IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
5 hours ago
- Hans India
Government of Karnataka Recognizes WorldSkills 2024 Winners from Toyota Kirloskar Motor
Reaffirming its commitment to the 'Skill India Mission' and India's aspiration for 'Viksit Bharat 2047,' Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today proudly announced the felicitation of their ten talented employees by the Government of Karnataka for their exceptional achievements at the WorldSkills Competition 2024 held in Lyon, France. At a ceremony held at Vidhan Soudha, the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sri Siddaramaiah, along with Hon'ble Minister of Medical Education & Skill Development Dr. Sharanprakash R Patil felicitated the winners in the presence of senior executives from Toyota Kirloskar Motor. A total of ten awardees, Prem V, Bhanu Prasad, Darshan Gowda, Nelson, Mohith MU, Harish R, Hemanth, Udhay, Rohan and Sudeep were recognized for their outstanding skills and commitment. These young professionals, trained at Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI), stood out among international competitors from over 60 countries. Each employee brought unique strengths to India Skills & WorldSkills Competition 2024, contributing to the team's remarkable performance. While Prem Vasanth Kumar achieved a Medallion of Excellence in Additive Manufacturing, Bhanuprasad SM and Darshan Gowda CS showcased remarkable versatility to achieve the Medallion of Excellence in Mechatronics at WorldSkills Competition 2024. The Medallion of Excellence is awarded to competitors who score 700 or more points. Further, the Mechatronics candidates were awarded second place in the Sustainable Practice Award, having successfully completed tasks measured against industry sustainability standards with the highest level of performance. Nelson, Mohith MU, and Harish R clinched the National Gold Medal in the Manufacturing Team Challenge, while Udhay, Hemanth, and Rohan received the Silver Medal, and Sudeep earned a Medallion of Excellence in Mechatronics & Car Painting skills—reaffirming Toyota's continued leadership in nurturing high-quality technical talent. The Karnataka State Government awarded cash prizes of INR 5 lakh for each WorldSkills Medallion of Excellence winner, INR 3 lakh for National Level Gold Medalists, and INR 75,000 for Silver Medalists. Speaking on the recognition, G. Shankara, Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, 'We are extremely proud of our employees and their outstanding accomplishments at WorldSkills 2024. We thank Government of Karnataka for recognizing & encouraging the winners. Their journey is an inspiring example of what can be achieved when dedication meets opportunity. This achievement reinforces our alignment with national initiatives like 'Skill India' and 'Viksit Bharat 2047' and state initiatives such as 'Karnataka Kaushalya' as we remain committed to building a skilled workforce for the nation. At Toyota, we are committed to transform rural youth to world class competitive technicians, creating opportunities and driving positive change in the communities we serve is central to our purpose, and we will continue advancing this journey toward inclusive growth and shared progress.' All ten employees are alumni of the Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI), an institute established by TKM to empower rural youth with advanced manufacturing skills. Established in 2007, TTTI offers a three-year residential program in key trades like Assembly, Paint, Weld, and Mechatronics, with a strong focus on holistic development. Students undergo rigorous technical training alongside physical and character-building activities, including community service. With over 1,400 graduates and a 100% placement record, TTTI-trained students have consistently excelled at national and global skill contests, including the WorldSkills Competition, earning accolades and recognition for their technical excellence. To scale its impact, TKM has recently doubled TTTI's intake, introduced dedicated seats for female candidates, and upgraded residential and training infrastructure. Complementing TTTI's efforts, Toyota Kaushalya serves as another key initiative aimed at expanding access to skill development. The Toyota Kaushalya program is a two-year, free training model with on-the-job learning for underprivileged youth. Furthermore, Toyota has also partnered with industrial and technical training institutes across India to create the Toyota Technical Education Program (T-TEP). To date, Toyota has established 68 T-TEP centres across India, benefitting over 14,000 students. As India moves forward on its journey toward becoming a global skills capital, Toyota Kirloskar Motor remains steadfast in its vision to contribute meaningfully through sustained investment in training, education, and community development.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Toyota to Honda: Why automakers are building rockets and racing into space
In a landmark achievement that's turning heads across both the automotive and aerospace industries, Honda successfully launched and landed a reusable experimental rocket in June 2025. Conducted at its facility in Taiki, Hokkaido, the test saw the 6.3-meter-long rocket reach 271 meters in altitude before landing with remarkable precision, just 37 centimeters from its target. This makes Honda the first company outside the US and China to demonstrate working reusable rocket technology . While the brand is best known for two-wheelers and sedans, this move signals a bold diversification into space. But Honda isn't alone; global automakers like Toyota and Geely are increasingly shifting gears into orbital ambitions. SpaceX is leading the private space industry with frequent launches, reusable rockets, and its Starlink satellite constellation, setting a benchmark that others now aim to match. The space race is no longer just for space agencies—it's becoming an auto industry frontier. Honda's reusable rocket milestone Honda's test rocket, weighing around 1,312 kg when fully fueled, showcases years of behind-the-scenes work on spaceflight systems. Since 2021, the company has been developing core space technologies focused on reusable rocketry, precision landings, and stable autonomous flight. The successful test is just the first step; Honda aims to achieve suborbital launch capability by 2029, eventually entering the satellite deployment market. It sees space as a natural extension of its work in robotics, mobility, and renewable energy—fields that will all play vital roles in future off-world infrastructure. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pernas e tornozelos inchados? Descubra o que pode ajudar a drenar agora aartedoherbalismo Undo Toyota's space ambitions Toyota, Japan's largest automaker, has also been building its presence in the space sector. Through its subsidiary Woven by Toyota, the company plans to begin mass production of rockets in the early 2030s. Toyota's strength in automation and manufacturing scalability gives it a competitive edge in producing reliable, cost-effective launch systems. Beyond rocketry, Toyota is also involved in lunar exploration, having partnered with JAXA (Japan's space agency) to develop a crewed moon rover called the Lunar Cruiser. These ventures reflect Toyota's vision of expanding mobility beyond the planet. Tesla and SpaceX: Leading the charge Tesla's connection to the space industry runs deep through Elon Musk's aerospace venture, SpaceX. While not directly part of Tesla, SpaceX is a pioneer in reusable rockets and satellite internet infrastructure. Its Falcon 9 and Starship programs have drastically lowered launch costs and made frequent space travel more viable. SpaceX's Starlink satellite constellation already supports internet access worldwide, including for Tesla vehicles in remote areas. This synergy between automotive innovation and space infrastructure highlights how intertwined the two sectors have become. Other automakers exploring space Geely (China): The parent company of Volvo and Lotus, Geely operates Geespace, which plans to deploy hundreds of low-Earth orbit satellites to support autonomous driving and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. Hyundai: Actively investing in lunar robotics and AI to support future space missions. These efforts suggest that space is becoming a common strategic frontier for automakers aiming to diversify their operations and technologies. Why the auto industry is looking to the stars As space becomes increasingly integral to communication, navigation, and data infrastructure, automakers are realizing they can no longer afford to stay grounded. With their deep expertise in systems engineering, manufacturing precision, and automation, car companies are uniquely positioned to contribute to and benefit from the booming space economy. From supporting autonomous vehicle connectivity to developing next-generation mobility platforms, the automotive industry sees the final frontier not just as an exploration challenge but as a strategic expansion of their core competencies. Here's why more automakers are now setting their sights on the stars: Satellite connectivity: Modern vehicles increasingly depend on satellite systems for real-time GPS navigation, over-the-air updates, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, and autonomous driving technologies. By investing in space infrastructure, automakers can ensure more reliable, secure, and tailored connectivity services for their global fleets—especially in remote or underserved regions. Engineering expertise: Automakers have decades of experience in combustion systems, lightweight materials, aerodynamics, and mechatronics. These core engineering competencies translate directly into rocket design and space systems development, allowing them to innovate in areas like fuel efficiency, structural integrity, and advanced control mechanisms. Cost control: Relying on external providers for satellite launches or data access can be expensive and limiting. By developing in-house space launch capabilities or owning satellite constellations, companies can significantly reduce operational costs, gain better control over data infrastructure, and enhance independence in an increasingly competitive market. New revenue streams: Space opens up lucrative new business models—from deploying and operating satellite networks to offering space-based logistics, communications services, and even Earth observation data. These ventures allow automakers to diversify beyond vehicle sales and tap into the multibillion-dollar global space economy. Mobility evolution: The concept of mobility is evolving from road-based transport to interplanetary logistics. Automakers are exploring technologies for lunar rovers, Mars exploration vehicles, and orbital transportation. By participating in early space infrastructure, they aim to shape the future of off-Earth mobility, logistics, and life-support systems.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
Despite tariffs, it's still America first for Asia's legacy automakers
Toyota and Hyundai Motor may have a beef with U.S. protectionism, but they have one thing in common with President Donald Trump: when it comes to global car markets, it's America first for Asia's legacy automakers. Trump's tariffs on imported automobiles have upended the outlook for the global industry, yet the U.S. remains by far the most important market for Japan's Toyota, South Korea's Hyundai and Asian rivals including Honda and Nissan. North America accounts for at least 40% of the revenue at both Toyota and Hyundai, filings show. The market's importance is unlikely to change any time soon, industry insiders and analysts said, especially with China, now the world's biggest auto market, dominated by homegrown electric vehicle makers such as BYD. Those Asian legacy carmakers with more robust margins and a strong hybrid lineup - such as Toyota, Hyundai, Kia Corp and to a lesser extent Honda - are more likely able to weather the U.S. tariffs storm, and potentially take market share from weaker players like Nissan, analysts said. "The environment that we're in now is becoming increasingly harsh and uncertain, starting with U.S. tariffs," Mazda executive officer Noriyuki Takimura told reporters at an event in Tokyo last week. Mazda aims to strike a balance between "defensive" measures like cost-cuts and "offensive" ones like strengthening its product lineup, he said. Two Hyundai insiders and two Japanese auto executives separately told Reuters they had no intention of downsizing their U.S. businesses in response to tariffs, even as they acknowledged the difficulties ahead. All four spoke on condition of anonymity. The U.S. is Toyota's biggest market in terms of vehicles. It sold 2.3 million vehicles there in 2024, including its Lexus brand, accounting for more than a fifth of its global total. As a source of revenue, North America was second only to Japan in the last financial year. Hyundai's North American revenue was the highest in almost a decade last year. Kim Chang-ho, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities, estimated it generates around 60% of its profits from the U.S., thanks to higher vehicle prices. Mocked in the U.S. in the 1980s for its perceived shoddy quality, Hyundai doubled down there around a decade ago, especially after tensions between Beijing and Seoul and the rise of domestic EV makers saw it start to lose ground in China. "After years of putting in effort, our brand is finally gaining recognition in the United States," one of the Hyundai insiders said. "So we will not take our hands off the U.S." Game of chicken The U.S. has seen a surge in demand for hybrids as consumers have become more concerned about the battery range, price and charging hassles of EVs. Fuel-efficient models such as hybrids will be a key driver to gaining market share, said Morningstar analyst Vincent Sun. Toyota, Hyundai and Kia have particularly strong hybrid offerings. So far, most legacy Asian automakers have avoided raising prices in the U.S. and stronger players are likely to continue to hold off doing so, despite lower profitability, analysts said. Instead, the focus will likely be on taking market share from lower-margin rivals like Nissan and Stellantis, analysts said. 'It will shape up like a game of chicken," said Kim Sung-rae, an analyst at Hanwha Investment & Securities. "Those who will hold up well will emerge as winners.' Over time, tariffs could be a catalyst to help drive consolidation in the industry, or at least deepen existing tie-ups. Investors wonder if tariffs could push Nissan to revive merger talks with Honda that fell apart this year. Mazda, which is 5.1% owned by Toyota, and Subaru, which is 21% owned by Toyota, could become more reliant on the bigger company. More investment? While Hyundai and Kia have three U.S. factories, they still import about two-thirds of the vehicles sold there. Toyota manufactured 1.3 million vehicles in the U.S. last year, equal to 54% of the vehicles it sold there. Japanese automakers have invested more than $66 billion in U.S. manufacturing since the 1980s, building some two dozen plants, according to the JAMA auto lobby group. At a White House event attended by Trump in March, Hyundai announced a $21 billion investment plan, including a new steel factory, and a plan to boost U.S. production capacity to 1.2 million vehicles a year. The tariffs are likely to encourage Japanese and South Korean automakers to invest more into expanding production capacity and localising supply chains to protect their positions, said Justinas Liuima of research firm Euromonitor International. They will also continue to benefit from one aspect of U.S. protectionism: higher tariffs on Chinese EVs, which means they don't face the same Chinese competition in the U.S. that they do in emerging Asian markets, Liuima said. China ships very few cars to the United States, which imposed a 100% tariff on imported Chinese EVs under the previous administration of President Joe Biden. One of the Japanese executives said it wasn't a matter of simply boosting U.S. production, as high costs, especially of labour, would also weigh on profitability. "It is really a game-changer," Julie Boote, analyst at Pelham Smithers Associates in London, said about the potential longer-term tariff impact. Some automakers have held off giving guidance that takes into account tariffs for the full year, meaning investors may be in store for a rude awakening as companies adjust forecasts as they report quarterly earnings, she said. "There's lots of talk that it's already priced in. I don't really think it is."
