4 Minutes
Aftermarket flair meets Toyota's newest performance icons
Miami-based wheel specialist Wheels Boutique has taken Toyota Motor Corporation's latest performance debuts and given them a fresh digital wardrobe. Their CGI renders show the second-generation Lexus LFA Concept and the Toyota Gazoo Racing GR GT sporting aftermarket alloy wheels, and the results make both machines feel unexpectedly timeless.
TMC's December reveal was bold: three new performance models including a concept iteration of the Lexus LFA, the road-going Toyota GR GT, and a GR GT3 racing variant aimed at FIA GT3 competition. The choices underline Toyota's attempt to balance electrification, hybrid performance and customer racing options.
Shock, admiration and a little controversy
Reaction has been mixed. The new LFA concept, reportedly an all-electric direction for the storied nameplate, surprised purists who remember the original V10 as an emotional high point. Meanwhile, the GR GT — described by Toyota as a hybrid 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing north of 640 hp — is mechanically intriguing despite styling some find restrained.
One industry takeaway is clear: Toyota is hedging its bets. An electric Lexus LFA targets brand prestige and futureproofing, while the GR GT and its GT3 race variant aim squarely at track enthusiasts and customer racing programs. The strategy opens the door to direct competition with other performance hybrids on the market, such as the Corvette E-Ray.
What Wheels Boutique changed in the CGI renders
Wheels Boutique used CGI to show how wheel choice and color can dramatically alter perception:
- Lexus LFA Concept in a vibrant green with black six-spoke alloy wheels — a combination that lifts the concept from formal to timeless.
- A silver Lexus LFA render updated with silver-polished wheels that complement the dual-tone paint and contrast against a black roof.
- Toyota Gazoo Racing GR GT given a retro nod with white dual five-spoke alloy wheels, which add visual punch to a car some consider visually muted.
These virtual modifications highlight how aftermarket wheels influence stance, perceived era and character — even in CGI. For builders and tuning shops, that digital playground is now part of early-stage design dialogue.
Performance and market context
Specs announced so far point to distinct positions:
- Lexus LFA Concept: repositioned as an electric supercar concept; technical specifics remain scarce but intention is clear — a flagship EV for Lexus.
- Toyota Gazoo Racing GR GT: a new hybrid 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing over 640 hp, plus a GT3 variant for customer racing.
Toyota's approach reflects broader industry trends: legacy nameplates reinvented as electrified or hybrid performance models, while manufacturers protect motorsport programs and customer racing revenue.
"The renders underline how much visual identity can be shifted by wheels alone," says one aftermarket designer. "You can make a modern supercar feel classic or push a retro idea forward without changing the body."
Final thoughts: yay or nay?
Whether you approve of an electric LFA or prefer the visceral appeal of a V10, the CGI wheel builds make both cars easy to admire. They also serve as a reminder: aftermarket parts and digital visualizations are powerful tools for shaping fan reaction long before keys hit customers' hands.
Which do you prefer — the LFA's bold concept direction or the GR GT's hybrid V8 promise? And what wheel choice would you pick for each? Share your thoughts below.
Source: autoevolution
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