Daily Drive: Toyota’s Hybrid V8 Roars In, Lexus Revives LFA as an EV, and Kia Sharpens Its Small-Car Game

I woke up to a very 2025 sort of morning: a twin-turbo V8 supercar with hybrid assist, a legendary nameplate reborn with batteries, and Kia quietly plotting to flank both with practical hybrids and a sleek new fastback EV. It’s the kind of mix that makes sense right now—performance for the posters, electrons for the commute, and a dose of market reality in between.

Headliners: Toyota GR GT and Lexus LFA, Two Very Different Ways to Go Very Fast

Let’s start with the sledgehammer. Toyota’s 2027 GR GT has been revealed with a twin-turbo V8 and hybrid assistance, and the number doing the rounds is at least 641 hp. What jumped out immediately—beyond the stance—is the engineering: a lightweight aluminum frame and a clear brief to take on the establishment. It reads like Toyota’s version of “we heard you like supercars; here’s one built our way.”

Then there’s the other kind of poster car: the Lexus LFA is officially back in name, but this time as an EV. No V10 wail, but the intent is loud enough. Lexus is framing it as the spiritual successor rather than a carbon-copy sequel. If the original LFA was Japan’s analog love letter to throttle response, this one is positioned to be the quiet assassin—instant torque, surgically precise, less theater and more lap time. The timing looks “later in the decade,” and specifics like motors and battery remain under wraps for now.

Racing angle: GR GT3 arrives to throw elbows

Toyota also pulled the covers off a GR GT3 race car, effectively the motorsport mirror to the road-going GT. You don’t homologate something this serious unless you plan to make a racket in global GT racing. If the production car is the poster, the GT3 is the calendar—12 months of contests where it really counts.

Kia’s Two-Track Plan: EV4 Fastback in January, K4 Hybrid Under Study

Kia’s next EV volley is the EV4 fastback, landing in January with Tesla Model 3 squarely in its sights. Think sleek roofline, cabin tech-forward, and the sort of tidy footprint that fits right into urban garages. I like this segment for real-world errands—grocery runs, school pickups, 300 km weekenders—because the packaging tends to be honest: space, aero, range. If Kia nails the ride/steering balance the way it has in recent EVs, it could be a sweet spot for buyers who don’t want an SUV.

At the same time, the brand is reportedly studying a K4 Hybrid for Australia. It’s Euro-focused—a proper Corolla rival—which usually means tight damping, sensible seats, and a boot shaped for actual luggage. If the drivetrain matches Kia’s recent hybrid form (smooth transitions, decent real-world economy), it could be the commuter car that makes you stop doomscrolling in traffic and just… drive.

Market reality check: Hybrids are having a moment

American EV demand has cooled from its sugar high, and that ripple is pointing to a hybrid-heavy near-term future in markets like Australia. Translation: expect more HEVs and PHEVs filling the gap while infrastructure and pricing mature. It’s not the binary EV-or-bust era that some predicted—it’s a portfolio play, and Kia is positioning for it.

• Kia EV4: Fastback EV aimed at Model 3 territory, January arrival
• Kia K4 Hybrid: Euro-flavored small car under study for Australia
• Macro trend: Hybrids rising as EV growth tempers in the U.S.

Ute and Truck Dispatch: Ambition Meets Reality

Kia conceded its Tasman ute isn’t hitting those “ambitious” sales projections out of the gate. New nameplates in ute-mad markets are a tough gig—brand loyalty, fleet ties, and strongly entrenched rivals can blunt the initial hype. The hardware can be right and the ramp still slow. It’s a marathon segment; updates and sharper specs over the first 18 months often make the difference.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen’s Amarok is set to go V6-only for 2026—except for the possibility of a cheaper new petrol variant. It’s a very Amarok move: lead with the creamy diesel six that buyers love, then leave the door open for a price leader if the market wants it. For towing, big drives across wide-open nothing, and that “effortless” feel out on country roads, the V6 call tracks with what most Amarok owners actually do.

Tech Tease: Could Rear Brakes Be… Optional?

Mercedes is talking up electric motor tech with such strong regenerative capability that it could make traditional rear brakes feel redundant in some scenarios. Emphasis on could. Even if this doesn’t turn into a production car with no rear rotors, the trajectory is clear: stronger regen, fewer friction braking events, and clever control systems doing the invisible housekeeping. For city driving, that means smoother stops and less pad dust on those pristine alloys. For performance? Heat management heaven on a track day.

Enthusiast Corner: Restomods, Stingers, and a Jimny That Won’t Be

• Another Australian-built, million-dollar air-cooled 911 restomod is here. It’s catnip for the detail-obsessed: artisan panels, modernized dynamics, and a price tag that buys you a bespoke driving experience and a lifetime of petrol-station conversations.
• Kia’s latest concept has the rumor mill buzzing about a Stinger GT spiritual return. No promises, but the proportions and swagger have some familiar energy. If it ever materializes as a production car, sign me up for a long weekend in the Alps.
• Suzuki says a Jimny pickup isn’t happening, for reasons that go beyond the usual “just build it” chorus. It’s not about enthusiasm—there’s tons of that—it’s the realities behind engineering and business cases that we often don’t see.

Motorsport Mood: Title Fights Are Never Linear

A quick glance at the F1 paddock musings from Norris, Piastri, and Verstappen: everyone knows a championship can twist on the smallest detail. Safety cars, strategy gambles, one stubborn tire blanket—blink and the points swing. The GR GT3 news fits that energy; we’re heading into a year where factory-backed GT programs will be a proper street fight.

Quick Hits: What Stands Out Today

• Toyota GR GT: Hybrid V8, at least 641 hp, 2027 on-sale target
• Lexus LFA EV: Iconic name returns as an electric halo, details TBA
• Kia EV4: January debut to challenge Model 3 with a sleek fastback
• Kia K4 Hybrid: Corolla-rival under study, Euro-flavor intact
• VW Amarok: V6-only direction in 2026, with a possible petrol price-leader
• Mercedes EV tech: Regen so strong it questions rear brakes’ future
• Tasman ute: Ambitions dialed back as the market plays hard to get

Conclusion

Today’s news is a tidy snapshot of where the car world sits: combustion still has a crown (if electrified), EVs are maturing into smarter shapes, and hybrids are the practical bridge in between. Toyota’s GR GT brings the noise. Lexus’s LFA EV brings the nuance. Kia’s planning covers the commute and the driveway. And out on the horizon, tech like mega-regeneration hints at how different the next decade will feel from behind the wheel.

FAQ

• How much power does the Toyota GR GT make? Toyota is quoting at least 641 hp from a hybrid twin-turbo V8, with more detail to come as it nears its 2027 launch.
• Is the new Lexus LFA really an EV? Yes. Lexus has confirmed the LFA name for an electric supercar concept, with specifications and timing still to be finalized later in the decade.
• When is the Kia EV4 arriving? January. It’s a fastback EV aimed squarely at the Tesla Model 3 set.
• Will Volkswagen drop four-cylinder Amaroks? For 2026, Amarok is moving to V6-only in most trims, though a more affordable petrol variant is being considered.
• Why aren’t Tasman ute sales matching projections? Kia says early results are below “ambitious” targets—typical challenges include fierce competition, brand-new nameplate headwinds, and the time it takes to build fleet and retail momentum.