Toyota GR GT on NZ's radar but expect ‘interview process’ to buy $440k supercar

Buying the upcoming Toyota GR GT reportedly won’t be as simple as walking into a dealership and signing on the dotted line.

Toyota says its new hybrid V8 halo car - expected to cost around US$250,000 (~NZ$440,000) before on-road costs – will go through a strict vetting process designed to keep the car in the hands of genuine enthusiasts, rather than speculators.

And yes, Toyota admits it could feel like a job interview.

Due in 2027, the GR GT shapes as Toyota’s most ambitious performance car since the legendary Lexus LFA, pairing a twin-turbocharged hybrid V8 with rear-wheel drive, carbon-fibre bodywork, and a claimed 320km/h top speed.

Speaking to US media, Gazoo Racing sports car program director Jeff Bal said Toyota wants to avoid buyers flipping the car for profit.

“We have a long and detailed process of identifying the best qualified customers,” Mr Bal told Autoblog.

“It’s going to feel like an interview process for a customer.”

Toyota says prospective owners will be paired with specially trained ‘GR Meisters’, effectively acting as personal concierges throughout the ownership experience.

The company hasn’t outlined exactly what qualifies someone for a GR GT allocation, though Mr Bal said the process extends well beyond someones car collection, income or social media influence.

Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda reportedly wants the GR GT driven regularly rather than hidden away in private collections or immediately resold at auction.

The approach mirrors strategies used by brands such as Ford with the Ford GT and Ford Mustang GTD, where ownership agreements attempted to restrict early resale.

Toyota New Zealand sources familiar with the GR GT program have confirmed to CarExpert NZ that the car is on the company’s radar locally, though nothing has been officially announced.

While it sits in a different segment, the GR GT could effectively become Toyota’s flagship performance car in New Zealand once production of the Lexus LC 500 ends later this year.

Any local allocation, however, would almost certainly be extremely limited. Those interested in getting behind the wheel of their own GR GT in New Zealand should register their interest directly with Toyota New Zealand.

Toyota GR GT will be their fastest road car yet

Toyota revealed the GR GT in December 2025 alongside a GT3 race car version, with the road and racing models sharing significant hardware.

The company says the project was designed to pass internal knowledge from the LFA program to a new generation of Gazoo Racing engineers.

Under the long bonnet sits a front-mounted 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged hybrid V8 producing at least 478kW of power and 850Nm of torque.

That comfortably eclipses the LFA’s naturally aspirated V10, which produced 412kW and 480Nm, while Toyota is targeting a 320km/h top speed – making the GR GT the fastest road-going Toyota ever revealed.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed wet-clutch automatic transaxle and mechanical limited-slip differential. There’s currently no mention of a manual transmission.

Toyota says the GR GT weighs less than 1750kg despite its hybrid setup, thanks to an aluminium chassis and extensive use of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic body panels.

The two-seat coupe rides on 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, while Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes and double-wishbone suspension feature front and rear.

Toyota says the GR GT was developed with a ‘driver-first’ philosophy, with aerodynamic performance prioritised ahead of styling.

Inside, there’s a driver-focused cockpit trimmed in red leather, along with a flat-bottom steering wheel, paddle shifters, and a digital instrument cluster with a dedicated Track mode.

The first GR GT customer deliveries are expected to begin in 2027, after the interview and selection process has been completed.