Lexus LFR: Toyota’s New GT3-Based LFA Replacement

Caecey Killian August 24, 2025 3 min read 0

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Toyota and Lexus are preparing to launch a brand-new performance car with roots in motorsport. First previewed by the GR GT3 concept at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon, this machine won’t be limited to the racetrack. A road-going version is in development and will almost certainly wear a Lexus badge in the U.S., likely under the name LFR. With testing underway and prototypes already shown at Monterey Car Week, the upcoming coupe is shaping up to be a spiritual successor to the LFA.

What’s In A Name?

Although the original concept carried the GR GT3 name, the production model destined for showrooms is expected to adopt the Lexus LFR badge. Acting as a halo performance car, the LFR will succeed both the discontinued RC and LC coupes after 2025. For enthusiasts, this makes it the long-awaited follow-up to the LFA, which cemented itself as one of Lexus’s most iconic creations.

Design and Styling of the Lexus LFR

Our best look yet came during Monterey Car Week, where Lexus quietly revealed the Sport Concept at The Quail. With its long hood, cab-rearward proportions, and low-slung stance, the prototype matches earlier spy shots and patent drawings. Lexus describes it as “future-focused yet truly authentic,” blending a wide, two-door coupe profile with aerodynamic details that hint at its racing pedigree.

Compared to the GR GT3 race car, the road-going model is toned down but still aggressive. Patent images show a sleeker body with a functional hood vent, muscular fenders, and side-exit exhausts. The enormous rear wing of the track version is gone, replaced by a cleaner tail with an integrated diffuser and taillights reminiscent of the LFA. When viewed in profile, the LFR carries a silhouette not far off from a Mercedes-AMG GT, which is unsurprising since prototypes have been spotted testing alongside AMG’s flagship coupe.

Powertrain: What’s Under the Hood?

Lexus hasn’t officially confirmed the engine, but spy videos captured during testing suggest the car runs with a naturally aspirated V8 soundtrack. The most likely candidate is an evolved version of the 5.2-liter V8 from the RC F GT3 race car, an engine capable of producing over 500 horsepower.

Other possibilities remain open. Lexus could offer multiple trims, with the flagship “F” model powered by a pure V8, while lower-tier versions might feature a V6, turbo-four, or even hybrid powertrain. This strategy would align with the brand’s current lineup, which balances everyday usability with motorsport-inspired performance.

Debut Timeline and Production Plans

Toyota Racing President David Wilson has indicated that the GR GT3 race car will debut at the 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona, with the road-going LFR arriving shortly afterward. Originally planned for the 2025 season, the delay was caused by homologation requirements tied to the production model. Industry insiders expect a reveal in late 2025, with sales beginning in 2026.

Price and Market Position

Pricing remains speculative, but the LFR will sit above the current RC and LC models. The RC F Final Edition closes out close to $100k, which is where the LC 500 starts. Expect the LFR to exceed those numbers. While it likely won’t reach the stratospheric $375,000 sticker of the LFA, the LFR will for sure be a six-figure sports car.

AboutCaecey Killian

Caecey Killian covers builds, installs, and product features for Car Junkie Magazine. He has spent years on the floor of the garage chasing horsepower across SBC, LS, and modern muscle platforms, and that shop time runs through every article he writes. His current CJM project is Project Street Reaper, a 1976 Camaro built around a fresh SBC 350. He is also known for Project Mighty Mouse, a 1977 Chevy Nova running a 1962 small-journal 327 SBC, with build coverage published across multiple online automotive magazines. His media background spans long-form build documentation, install coverage, and product features across the magazine and the Car Junkie Magazine YouTube channel. He writes the way he wrenches: specific, honest about the mistakes, and grounded in real garage work.