How new Toyota Supercar stacks up in wind tunnel testing
Toyota GR Supra undergoing crucial aero testing in United States
Walkinshaw Andretti United, Brad Jones Racing to race new cars in 2026
New car to make competitive debut in Sydney on February 20-22
The countdown to the competitive debut of the new Toyota Supercars continues in the United States, where the car is undergoing crucial aerodynamic testing.
The new GR Supra Supercar will make its debut at the hands of Walkinshaw Andretti United and Brad Jones Racing in Sydney on February 20-22.
The Toyota first hit the track in September, and has completed testing and track time across a number of circuits, from Winton to Bathurst, and Gold Coast to Adelaide.
Amid ongoing engine validation work, the Supra aero package is being put to the test against its future rivals, the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.
Given the Ford and Chevrolet have both been the Windshear before, the Toyota has been given the bulk of running in the wind tunnel, with homologation team WAU also bringing extra parts.
The Camaro and Mustang have set baselines for the Supra to match. However, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) work has been conducted in the background since the Toyota was first revealed in October 2024, meaning all parties could hit the ground running at Windshear.
"In terms of the Supra, we've done 12 months of CFD work, which is the computerised version of wind tunnel testing,” Supercars Chief Motorsport Officer Tim Edwards told Supercars.com.
"Obviously, they've got the most work to do because they've not been here before. It's all new to them. But they've got a huge range of tools to work through. By tools, I mean different aero parts.
"That's also why we've given them the most time in the tunnel, because they've got the most parts that they need to cycle through until they find the combination that that matches the other two cars.
"The CFD was very close to what we’ve seen so far, which is great. But then, there are certain things that Toyota and Walkinshaw would like to go in a certain direction in, because they like the style of a certain part versus another.
"It’s a case of, 'we'll try that first, but if it doesn't work, then we'll use what we believe is the best choice from CFD findings'. Thankfully, none of these are drastically different. In some cases, you'd look at the two parts and you can hardly even see the difference.”
The Supra rolled out on track in Bathurst, Gold Coast and Adelaide this year, giving fans an opportunity to see the car at speed.
The car may look slightly different come Sydney, given discoveries made both in CFD and at the wind tunnel. However, Edwards said Toyota had already committed to planning for changes from the current product.
"As we moved through CFD, Toyota had already committed to certain changes,” Edwards said.
"For example, the front facia will be different to what's been seen. It does have some noticeably different styling cues to it, because we needed to change it for the results we saw from the CFD.
"The Toyota will look a bit different to people when they actually see the race-ready version of it.”
An outcome will be made at the end of the testing program, ensuring all parties can return to Australia and plan ahead for 2026.
Crucially, it ensures the Toyota, Ford and Chevrolet can start the new era on equal footing, giving each manufacturer equal opportunity to chase wins.
It comes after Ford and Chevrolet fought out one of the most competitive seasons in the history of the sport, with Chevrolet winning 17 races to Ford’s 16, alongside two of the top three closest finishes of all time — both decided between a Ford and a Chevrolet.
"Technical parity is the cornerstone of this sport. The racing and results we saw this year are proof it’s vitally important,” Edwards said.
"We are at the best facility in the world for aerodynamic testing. In between when we're running, there’s an IndyCar in the tunnel, or a NASCAR in the tunnel. This is where Hypercars are signed off. This is the best tool in the world, and that's why everybody uses it.
"We will come out with results that the three homologation teams have signed off on, with Supercars and Dynamique. It gives us the best possible chance of having aerodynamic parity.
"We're trying to eliminate any possible differences between the cars. Whilst in theory they match, if you can make something the same, then it eliminates that from ever being a conversation point further down the track."
