‘The McLaren F1 was a car for gentlemen. The GT-One was a car for lunatics who’ve misplaced their will to live.’
While McLaren built the F1 to conquer the world, Toyota quietly built something to leave it entirely.
The GT-One wasn’t just a rival – it was a 600bhp carbon-fibre fever dream.
And for two lucky drivers, it even came with number plates.
And if you think that sounds ridiculous, wait until you hear how close it came to conquering Le Mans…
In 1992, McLaren introduced the F1. It has a V12 engine, three seats, gold leaf in the engine bay, £540k price tag.
It’s declared the greatest car ever built.
Mid-90s. Japan. Toyota looks up from the Corolla order book and says, ‘Shall we win Le Mans?’
Enter the GT-One (TS020) – a carbon-fibre hallucination with headlights.
Not quite a road car. Not quite a race car.
It’s more of a violent physics experiment with wheels.
In 1998 and 1999, the GT-One nearly conquers Le Mans. Twice.
But punctures happen, as they do at 200mph, and glory slips away.
Toyota gives up and wanders off to try F1 instead.
Homologation rules required a ‘road’ version.
Toyota built precisely two.
Same twin-turbo 3.6-litre V8, barking out 600bhp.
Claustrophobic cockpit.
Rumoured top speed of 230mph.
Toyota didn’t just try to rival McLaren.
They accidentally built something even madder.
‘Owning a GT-One is like adopting a pet tiger. Majestic, rare, and determined to ruin your day.’
