The contrast between capitalism and socialism always makes for an intriguing discussion, particularly within the realm of motorsports.
Sometimes, distinguishing between different philosophies becomes challenging, even within elite motorsports. While Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda, and Alpine provide distinct Formula 1 power units, these internal combustion engines share many similarities—they're all 1.6-liter V6 models, adhering closely to the regulations set forth by the FIA. Consequently, when it comes to engine design, they follow nearly identical blueprints.
That isn’t how things work in Supercars. Despite being designed for equal competition, these vehicles showcase significant differences in their engine specifications from various manufacturers. The Chevrolet LTR, which drives the Camaro lineup, is a 5.7-liter pushrod V8, whereas the Mustang uses Ford’s 5.4-liter quad-cam Coyote engine. Now entering its third season under Gen 3 rules, both powerful yet distinct engines have managed to achieve near-parity in terms of performance. This was further confirmed when Triple Eight, known as the top-tier team in Supercars, will move to join the Ford team next year primarily due to business considerations rather than technological ones.
The recent announcement about the impending relocation has sparked an intriguing proposal from veteran T8 team manager Mark Dutton. He proposed that starting next year—when the new Toyota model makes its debut—the entire series might benefit from having all engine suppliers consolidated into one provider for every car competing in the championship. Not surprisingly, Mr. Dutton recommended his own team’s current partner, KRE Racing Engines, which has been closely aligned with Team 8 since its inception and presently oversees the preparation of all Chevrolet engines used in the competition.
There wasn’t much shock when his proposal didn't receive warm support from several other team leaders in the pit lane, and it quickly turned into an irrelevant issue regardless. GM has lately affirmed its plan to prolong its agreement with KRE, whereas Ford hasn’t yet stated anything about which suppliers will provide engines for their teams next year; it certainly won't be KRE.
Therefore, capitalism prevails. However, comrades, what if there is some validity in Dutton’s proposal, yet infused with a socialist perspective?
Mark Dutton from Triple Eight Race Engineering driving a Holden
Photo by: Dirk Klynsmith / Motorsport Images
Toyota’s arrival in 2026 , featuring two-car teams competing with the GR Supra, is sure to shake things up. As the 2025 season progresses, along with its two Mustangs entered in the races, Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood , Walkinshaw Andretti United is working on the Supercars variant of the Supra for testing later this year. Along with developing the chassis and aerodynamics, they are also preparing a Supercars-spec version of Toyota’s 2UR-GSE V8 engine. This fully aluminum, four-cam powerplant is identical to the one used in Lexus models and has already been utilized in various competitive series.
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We've observed this recently with the advancements in Chevrolet and Ford engines; numerous aspects must be perfected. Beyond horsepower and torque, as well as their delivery mechanisms, considerations include vehicle weight, center of gravity, and fuel efficiency—alongside an extensive checklist of integration elements—all before the inaugural race scheduled for 2026. This endeavor will demand substantial labor, dedication, and financial resources.
Here’s my query: Regardless of each element being executed perfectly and the Supras remaining competitive from the start of the 2026 season, what advantage does using a custom V8 engine in the Supra Supercar offer?
In the end, it’s not as though there’s a Toyota engine in the Haas F1 vehicles. Despite the substantial involvement of the corporation with the American-based squad, the cars' engines originate directly from Maranello.
Toyota boasts a legacy of partnerships with various brands. Before unveiling its Supercars initiative, the company's most prominent racing venture in Australia was the Toyota 86 Racing Series, which is currently referred to as the GR Cup. Interestingly, the 86 model features a horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine that shares more heritage with Subaru rather than Toyota. Furthermore, these vehicles are assembled at Subaru’s facility in Gunma, Japan.
Why must the Supercar be equipped with Toyota’s engine? Not only does the road-going Supra lack a V8, but it also isn’t powered by a Toyota motor. Instead, under its hood lies the BMW B58 turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, which can be found in various German saloons and SUVs, as well as in the Ineos Grenadier.
2024 Toyota GR Supra Super Car Release Announcement
Photograph by: Glenn Hunt Photo
An agreement between Toyota and Ford, allowing the GR Supra to be equipped with a rebadged Coyote V8 engine as part of their Supercars program, could bypass extensive challenging development and balance-of-performance adjustments, making such an arrangement highly logical.
Heck, if Toyota were to strike an engine deal with Ford, the resulting collaboration might as well be dubbed 'Toyote'.
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