Lexus Dealers Are Already Lining Up
Toyota has begun laying the groundwork to bring the GR GT to the U.S., with more than 100 Lexus dealers already expressing interest in handling sales, according to Automotive News. The automaker is said to be taking a more controlled approach, creating a customized sales and service process to ensure proper customer delivery.
This appears to be a much more deliberate rollout than when the Lexus LFA was launched – though, to be fair, Toyota did not initially anticipate demand would later grow. Now, the company wants to avoid past mistakes and plans to train prospective dealers at a dedicated facility at Eagles Canyon Raceway in Texas, with the program eventually extending to customers once the GR GT arrives in the U.S.
A Curated Retail Strategy
The report said Lexus dealers seeking a GR franchise will not need to build a separate new building. However, one dealer owner noted that the franchise is not intended for every market, but rather for those where “these prestige customers are.”
The target market for the Toyota GR GT is well-heeled enthusiasts. With an expected starting price north of $200,000, it would land in upper-Porsche 911 territory. Power comes from a new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 paired with a hybrid system, with output expected to reach at least 641 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. That is roughly 90 horsepower more than the previous halo car, the LFA.
This time, the successor also benefits from the global motorsports success of the Gazoo Racing brand. In fact, the aforementioned dealer owner experienced the vehicle firsthand in Japan and said he was “blown away,” describing it as “extraordinary.”
Designed for Real Enthusiasts
There is also a GT3-spec version of the GR GT, revealed last year, that is intended strictly for track competition. For now, however, the road-going customer car is expected to arrive in the U.S. next year. The report suggests buyers can expect a highly attentive, detail-oriented purchase experience – one that could help place the car in the hands of genuine enthusiasts rather than collectors who may never fully use it.
After all, GR GT customers will gain access to Toyota’s first GR Academy, where a fleet of 42 GR vehicles – including the GR Corolla, GR86, and GR Supra – will be used for hands-on training in disciplines like autocross and drifting.
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