V8 Supercars

Holden has taken the wraps off the 2018 Holden Commodore V8 supercar, revealing computer-generated images of its next-generation racer for the Australian Supercars Championship. The 2018 season will see Holden continue using its current naturally-aspirated V8 engine, which has been a huge success for Holden teams.

The familiar cyan blue of Volvo’s Polestar performance division won’t be seen on the starting grid of the 2017 Australian Supercar Championship, with the Swedish company confirming it will not renew its current commitment when it expires at the end of this year.

Lexus Australia has ruled out any initial entry into the V8 Supercar racing series, although the company’s local chief has again confirmed interest in the coming ‘Gen2 Supercar’ regulations. Revealed in December last year, the Gen2 program will see a number of changes made to the long-running racing series from 2017, opening the door to coupe bodies and different engine cylinder counts, among other revisions.

The confirmation that the V8 Supercars racing series will be overhauled for the 2017 season to allow vehicles of various body styles and those powered by turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines to compete with traditional V8 sedans has opened the door to a host of new brands. So who's in, who's out, and who's a chance? CarAdvice has spoken with the companies competing in the 2014 championship as well as a selection of likely types to get their take.

Lexus Australia has confirmed it has approached V8 Supercars and has participated in “high level” discussions to join the local racing series. Following the international launch of the Lexus RC F in the US in September, Lexus Australia chief executive Sean Hanley said the introduction of a brand new 5.0-litre V8-engined road car sparked his interest in participating in the series currently made up of Holden, Ford, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.