Japanese Students Will Build Their Own Toyota GR GT3 Concept

Jan. 01, 2023 9:37 AM ET by Jared Rosenholtz Tokyo Auto Salon / Comments

If Toyota won't make it for real, build it yourself.

Earlier this year at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota revealed an extreme racing concept car called the GR GT3. The concept was later spotted with a Lexus badge, hinting that it could morph into a successor for the LFA or RC. Toyota hasn't announced anything official regarding a production version, but the students at the Nihon Automobile College (NATS) couldn't wait to see a working example.

The Japanese school will produce their own version, dubbed the NATS GR Stance, which will debut at next year's Tokyo Auto Salon. Based on the student's previous creations like the Suzuki Jimny monster truck and Cosmo Mazda Miata, we imagine the GR Stance will be pretty impressive.

Unlike the concept, the NATS car will be based on the previous generation Toyota 86, which will then be surrounded by custom bodywork to make it look like the GR GT3. The proportions may not be exactly up to par with the concept, but they aren't far off.

The college posted a few photos of the students working on the car, and the unfinished results are still highly impressive. We can't tell what the front looks like, but the rear end has a proper race car feel with a massive wing, diffuser, and concept-inspired taillights. It also gives off some serious RC F meets LFA vibes.

Inside, the dashboard is clearly based on the 86, but the cabin is mostly stripped out. Some racing touches include a roll rage, racing seats with harnesses, additional gauges, and a rally-inspired shifter. NATS doesn't plan to leave the engine stock. The students will install a GReddy turbo kit, which should drastically increase the output from the original 200 horsepower.

The finished car will be revealed at the 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon, which is open from January 13 to 15. We can't wait to see what it looks like all put together.

Japanese Students Will Build Their Own Toyota GR GT3 Concept

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Japanese Students Will Build Their Own Toyota GR GT3 Concept

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