What is perhaps the most exciting chapter in V8 Supercars since the exit of local manufacturing beckons, as the Toyota GR Supra V8 Supercar clears its lungs for us.
The BMW-sourced B58 inline-six was under consideration for a fleeting moment. The duration of which was short-lived. Sean Hanley, vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations weighed in on that subject, saying they considered it for “about three minutes… actually about one”.
Not to mention, Toyota had a more suitable candidate in the form of the Yamaha engineered 2UR-GSE – iterations of which have seen duty in the Lexus IS-F, IS 500, LC 500 and more.
The Supra will be racing alongside the (now discontinued) Chevrolet Camaro and still-current Ford Mustang. Control parts include AP Racing brakes, Dunlop slicks and 18-inch tyres by Rimstock.
Engagement is sure to climb, with the Japanese/German hybrid joining the hallowed ranks of some of Australia’s favourite racing cars. The fact it uses a precision-engineered Japanese donk as its basis is sure to register a shrill tingle in the ear of many Aussies.
This is one of Walkinshaw’s highest profile projects to date and a ringing endorsement of the trust and faith international automakers still place in the capability of Australian engineers. Even nearly 10 years on from the departure of local manufacturing.
Are you just as pumped as us to see the Supra snake down Forest Elbow on the way to Conrod Straight? Let us know in the comments below. But before you do, take a listen to the race-ready V8 in the video below.
View this post on Instagram
