New apr Lexus LC500h GT300 Sighted At Fuji Speedway

Less than 24 hours after Japanese constructor, apr, first teased their newest flagship hybrid race car, the new GT300-specification Lexus LC500h made its first public on-track outing.

During Fuji Speedway’s sports driving sessions on Tuesday, the new apr Lexus underwent a shakedown test – the first on the way to its debut in the upcoming Autobacs SUPER GT Series.

スーパーGT 2023年のapr GT300マシンはLC500っぽい？#SUPERGT #supergt #sgt pic.twitter.com/CxM5RRFgyS

— ユウ (@N_Sein_01) December 27, 2022

These first photographs were captured by enthusiast “Yuu” (Twitter: @N_Sein_01) during the morning sessions.

apr Lexus LC500 JAF-GT GT300(?)
撮影日時:2022.12.27 FSW S-4走行枠
スーパーGT GT300クラスに参戦するaprの来シーズン用と思われるLC500
せっかくなので先ほどのものとは別の写真も投稿
音はGR86 GT300とほとんど同じように聞こえたが…#SUPERGT #supergt #SGT pic.twitter.com/ZanFNtjpJ9

— ユウ (@N_Sein_01) December 27, 2022

They noted that the LC500h “sounded almost identical to the GR86 GT300”, confirming what has already been reported – that it will have the Toyota 2UR-GSE V8 engine mounted in the front, coupled to a hybrid system.

Aesthetically, the drooping rear body work resembles that of many apr-influenced GT300 originals that have competed in recent years, including the outgoing Toyota Prius, their GR86, and the GR Supra GT300 models.

Putting the car through its paces today were Koki Saga, the veteran driver of apr’s hybrid Prius over the past 11 seasons in SUPER GT, and young Kazuto Kotaka, who drove the Prius part-time last season while chasing the Super Formula Lights championship.

Further details should be known in very short order – the car will have a full feature in the upcoming issue of auto sport Magazine, scheduled for digital release tomorrow!