In the world of Japanese automotive legends, few nicknames carry as much weight as “Godzilla,” which was coined in the late 1990s for the fearsome Nissan Skyline GT-R R32. With the current Nissan GT-R finally ending its 18-year production run in August 2025, a new V8-hybrid beast emerges as Japan’s next halo car—the Toyota GR GT. But can it truly dethrone Godzilla? Let’s drive in.
Unveiled on 4th Dec 2025 in Japan, the Toyota GR GT isn’t just another addition to the Gazoo Racing (GR) lineup, but rather it’s the brand’s new flagship supercar, a spiritual successor to the legendary Toyota 2000GT and Lexus LFA. This front-engine, rear-drive two-seater promises to blend Le Mans-inspired racing DNA with everyday drivability once it enters production in 2027.
A Legacy Forged in Fire: From 2000GT to LFA, and Now GR GT
During the 1970s, the Toyota 2000GT, with its sleek grand tourer lines and Yamaha-tuned inline-six, had put Japan on the supercar map. By 2010, the Lexus LFA arrived as a V10-powered handcrafted symphony on wheels but was heartbreakingly limited to 500 units.
Now the Toyota GR GT picks up that path but with a twist: it’s developed in tandem with its Toyota GT GT3 racing sibling, which will ensure that lessons learned on the track will trickle down to the road version from day one. The Toyota GR GT comes down to being a deadly “road-legal race car.”
Toyota GR GT vs Nissan GT-R Nismo: Head-to-Head Specs.
| Nissan GT-R (2025) | Toyota GR GT | |
| Acceleration : 0-100 km/h | 2.8 sec | < 3.0 sec exp. |
| Top Speed | 328 km/h | > 320 km/h |
| Engine Capacity | 3,799 cc – V6 | 3,998 cc – V8 |
| Turbocharging | Twin-turbo | Twin-turbo |
| Electric motor | – | Single-motor hybrid |
| Transmission | 6-speed DCT | 8-speed Auto |
| Maximum Power | 600 HP | > 650 HP |
| Maximum Torque | 652 Nm | > 850 Nm |
| Drive | 4WD | RWD |
| Drag Coefficient : Cd | 0.26 | – |
| Length | 4,700 mm | 4,820 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 2,000 mm |
| Height | 1,370 mm | 1,195 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,780 mm | 2,725 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 110 mm | – |
| Weight | 1,720 kg | < 1,750 kg |
The Toyota GR GT seems to have an edge on the Nissan GT-R on paper, but the Godzilla’s magic was its accessibility. With prices starting from USD 121,000 in the US, it was known as everyone’s everyday supercar. The Toyota GR GT is rumored to price around USD 500,000, at which it’s no budget brawler but in the Ferrari and Lamborghini bracket. The Toyota GR GT promises a hybrid boost with LFA-like drama but lacks the Nissan GT-R’s AWD forgiveness.
At the GR GT’s core is Toyota’s first 4.0L production twin-turbo V8 integrated with a rear-mounted eight-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain is engineered for endurance, drawing knowledge from Toyota’s World Endurance Championship (WEC) program. The Toyota GR GT3 shares the same engine tuned to participate in GT racing series worldwide in around 2027.
Chassis and design are all about aerodynamics.
The GR GT’s skeleton is Toyota’s first all-aluminum body frame. This keeps rigidity sky-high while slashing weight. Styling is aggressive yet elegant with sharp creases, large air vents, underbody diffusers, and a wide, low-slung nose. The Toyota GR GT stands out, screaming “race-ready road rocket.”
With 4,820 mm in length and having a 2,725 mm wheelbase, it’s roomier than a 911. Weighing less than 1,750 kg, it’s also lighter than many of its peers.
Ensuring a low center of gravity, the occupants sit at near-chassis height. The cockpit is extremely functional, with gauges positioned perfectly for intuitive glances.
Toyota GR GT: The Road Ahead
The Toyota GR GT is not expected to be cheap (USD 500,000 est.), but it’s still a steal compared to Ferrari or Lamborghini equivalents, especially considering Toyota’s bulletproof reliability. Production kicks off around 2027, so early adopters need to start saving.
The Toyota GR GT reminds us why we fell in love with cars: the mechanical purity and the emotional pull of a V8’s howl. Toyota isn’t just building a supercar; it’s igniting a new chapter for Gazoo Racing (GR) by evolving it into a semi-independent brand.
The Toyota GR GT won’t be Godzilla—it’s too expensive. Nissan’s beast was the everyman’s supercar, offering AWD thrills and value. Though Toyota may excel in performance, the throne still awaits—whoever claims it, we’ll all win.
