Toyota is bringing some serious muscle to the Repco Supercars Championship in 2026, and it’s not what you might expect. The road-going Supra might be powered by BMW’s four- and six-cylinder engines, but the race-spec version? It’s getting a brawny, naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 – straight from Toyota’s own engineering vault.

This engine isn’t a fresh face, though. If you know your Toyotas, you’ll recognize it as the 2UR-GSE, an aluminum masterpiece that’s powered some of Toyota and Lexus’s finest machines. The RC F, LC 500, and IS 500 F Sport are all rocking this same 5.0-liter unit, and it’s no slouch. The Hilux Dakar Rally truck that conquered the dunes in 2019? Yep, same engine.

Under the hood of the Supra race car, this V8 is set to shake up the Supercars Championship, battling it out with Ford’s 5.4-liter Mustang Coyote and Chevrolet’s 5.7-liter Camaro, though the latter is set for a mysterious engine swap post-2023. Toyota’s entrance into the championship brings back a level of excitement we haven’t seen since 2019, with at least three manufacturers going head-to-head once again.

But let’s talk about the competition. Toyota isn’t just dipping a toe into the action – they’re diving in headfirst. Walkinshaw Andretti United, the powerhouse team, will field two of the four GR Supra race cars, driven by none other than Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood. This marks a significant shift, as WAU will be switching from Ford Mustangs to Toyota Supras from 2026, cementing Toyota’s commitment to making waves in the Supercars Championship.

It’s not just a flashy move either; Toyota’s been quietly working with the Walkinshaw Automotive Group in Australia, converting Tundra trucks to right-hand drive for the local market. So, their motorsport partnership seems to be another step in strengthening ties Down Under.

The 2026 season promises to be a proper showdown, as Toyota joins a grid that will now feature Ford and Chevrolet. It’s shaping up to be a thrilling few years for racing fans, with Toyota’s naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 roaring to life on the track.