Toyota GR GT hybrid grand tourer confirmed for the Philippines, could Malaysia be next?

Toyota Motor Philippines has confirmed that the upcoming Toyota GR GT supercar will be sold in the Philippines, marking the brand’s most ambitious performance move yet for the local market.

The announcement was made during a recent media briefing by Toyota Motor Philippines marketing head and Senior Vice President Sherwin Chua Lim, who said the halo model will eventually reach local showrooms.

The GR GT sits far above the GR Corolla and GR Supra in Toyota’s performance range, and its arrival signals that the brand is preparing a true flagship for its Gazoo Racing line.

Unlike earlier performance models that shared more components with mainstream cars, the GR GT has been developed in-house by Toyota’s motorsport division from the ground up.

Toyota’s approach for the car centred on functional performance first, with aerodynamics, cooling and high-speed stability shaping the design before styling was finalised.

Under the carbon fibre reinforced plastic body panels is an all-aluminium space frame chassis designed to maximise rigidity while keeping the centre of gravity as low as possible.

Power comes from a newly developed 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with a hot V layout and dry sump lubrication. That engine is paired with a transaxle-mounted single-motor hybrid system, giving the GR GT a parallel hybrid setup with a claimed combined output of 641 HP and 850 Nm of torque.

Drive is sent to the rear wheels only, via a newly developed eight-speed automatic transmission with a wet start clutch and a mechanical limited-slip differential.

The cabin is configured as a two-seater and is expected to feature Recaro bucket seats, a driver-focused digital interface and adjustable stability settings that let the driver dial in the level of electronic intervention.

Toyota said the production version is due for a global launch around 2027, alongside the GR GT3 race car. Pricing for the road car has not been announced yet.

Distribution and customer servicing will reportedly be handled through a specialised Toyota GR Performance dealership, rather than a regular showroom network. That points to very limited allocation and a more exclusive buying and ownership experience for the few local customers who secure one.

For the Philippines, the GR GT would become Toyota’s most extreme road car to date and a clear statement that Gazoo Racing is now being positioned as a serious halo performance name, not just a badge for sporty trims.

What about Malaysia?

Closer to home, local distributor UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has yet to confirm anything, but the confirmed launch at the Philippines hint at a larger ASEAN rollout. 

Stay tuned for more.