Why Supercars could benefit from a little socialism between manufacturers

Capitalism versus socialism is always an interesting debate. Especially in motor racing.

At times it can be hard to see where one philosophy ends and the other begins, even at the top level of motorsport. Sure, Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda and Alpine all supply their own Formula 1 power units, but all the internal combustion engines are similar; 1.6-litre V6 as prescribed in the FIA’s rulebook. As engine architecture is concerned, it’s almost one size fits all.

That is not the case in Supercars. For such a parity-driven formula, there is a large variation in the specification of the engines used by the makes. The Chevrolet LTR that powers the Camaro fleet is a 5.7-litre pushrod V8; in the Mustangs it’s Ford’s 5.4-litre quad cam Coyote. In its third year under Gen 3 regulations, the performance of the two very different motors is close to performance parity, with that being recently underlined by the news that Triple 8, Supercars’ alpha team, will transition to become a Ford squad next year mainly for commercial rather than technical reasons.

That upcoming move recently prompted an interesting idea, put forward by long-time T8 team manager Mark Dutton. He suggested that the category may be well-served by having all the motors in use from next year (2026 debutant Toyota included) supplied by a single builder. Unsurprisingly, he suggested that his team’s supplier would be KRE Racing Engines, a long-time T8 ally and currently the sole preparer of Chevrolet engines.

It was of little surprise that his suggestion was not enthusiastically met by some of the other team leaders in the pitlane, and it soon became a moot point anyway. GM recently confirmed its intent to extend its deal with KRE and, while Ford is yet to comment on where its teams will source its engines next season, it will not be KRE.

So capitalism rules. Except, comrades, what if there is some merit in Dutton’s suggestion, but with a socialist twist?

Toyota’s arrival in 2026, with a pair of two-car teams running the GR Supra, is certain to stir the pot. As the 2025 season unfolds, alongside its two Mustangs being raced by Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood, Walkinshaw Andretti United is developing the Supercars version of the Supra for testing later this year. While the chassis and aerodynamics are being developed so too is a Supercars version of Toyota’s 2UR-GSE V8. That all-aluminium, quad-cam motor is the one found in the Lexus and already used in competition in other categories.

As we have seen with the recent development of the Chevrolet and Ford motors, there is a lot to get right. Apart from power and torque, and how those performance factors are delivered, there’s weight, centre of gravity and fuel consumption, and a long list of installation factors to tick off before the opening race of 2026. That will require a lot of work, effort and money.

Here is my question: why? Even if every single item is done just right and the Supras are in the hunt from the first race of 2026, what is the upside of having a bespoke V8 in the Supra Supercar?

After all, it is not like there is a Toyota power unit in the Haas Formula 1 cars. The company has taken a significant role with the US-owned team but the cars’ power comes straight from Maranello.

Toyota has a history of collaborations with other brands. Prior to its Supercars programme being announced, its most visible motorsport effort down under was the Toyota 86 Racing Series, now known as the GR Cup. The 86’s flat-four engine has more DNA from Subaru than from Toyota and the cars are even built at Subaru’s Gunma plant in Japan.

So why does the Supercar have to feature Toyota power? The roadgoing Supra not only doesn’t have a V8, it doesn’t even have a Toyota engine. Under the bonnet is the BMW B58 turbocharged straight-six that is found inside a range of German sedans and SUVs – and even the Ineos Grenadier.

2024 Toyota GR Supra Supercar announcement

Photo by: Glenn Hunt Photo

A deal between Toyota and Ford, for the GR Supra to use a rebranded Coyote V8 in its Supercars programme, would sidestep a lot of difficult development and parity work and make a lot of sense.

Heck, if Toyota was to do an engine deal with Ford, the end result could even bed called a ‘Toyote’.