My GT7 Log: Beyond Competition

Japan and South Korea are known as “frenemies.” They have a checkered past since Japan split Korea into two. This past did not stop the two countries from jointly hosting the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which was a true display of frenemies. The same goes for present-day WRC when Toyota Gazoo Racing and Hyundai N clash for dirt supremacy.

In honor of the recent Hyundai N x Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival, we celebrate the rivalry between the two Far East motoring superpowers by comparing the two Vision Gran Turismo concepts from Hyundai and Toyota.

The Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo is a concept car that paved the way for Hyundai’s high-performance division. This hybrid race car has a hydrogen fuel cell system that delivers 871 horsepower through four independent motors. This fuel cell and motor combination allows the Hyundai N 2025 to have a phenomenal driving experience.

The FT-1 Vision Gran Turismo is what happens when the FT-1 Concept, which served as the blueprint for the Supra revival project, transformed into a race car. It's a futuristic version of the Toyota Supra used in the JGTC (Super GT) races in the past, but it's not a JGTC car. While it's just a concept, the FT-1 VGT proves Toyota has a lot of potential and passion for motorsports.

After a quick introduction of the cars from Toyota and Hyundai, let's pit these Far East rivals around Suzuka Circuit, which is considered the sacred ground of Japanese motorsports. Let's roll the tape.

Here are the results...

FT-1 VGT - 2m05.872s

N 2025 VGT - 1m46.484s

It's a huge shocker of a result, judging by the fact that Hyundai's investing heavily in the world of electrification while Toyota's lagging behind and sticking to its old-school principles. Either way, while Hyundai has the upper hand against the Japanese motoring giant, the results don't really matter because this comparison is a demonstration of how capable these two Far East motoring giants are.

Hyundai and Toyota are known for shaking things up. They are both creating fun-to-drive cars as hinted by their high-performance divisions; Hyundai N and Toyota Gazoo Racing. While the N cars stick to the "never just drive" mantra, the TGR cars are all about "pushing the limits for better."

They've raced as competitors. But when they meet, a new thrill begins.

Beyond competition, united by passion.