Report: Cooperative BMW-Toyota Supra successor due by end of 2017, to utilize hybrid powertrain

MotorTrend reports on some details surrounding the much-anticipated, yet so far rumored return of the infamous Toyota Supra. The rumor was substantiated even more when news about an agreement between BMW and Toyota collaborating on a sports car surfaced not too long ago.

So far, MT speculates that Toyota may reveal a production Supra by the end of 2017 as a hybrid model at the Tokyo Motor Show. The possible powertrain to be is a turbocharged 2.5L inline-four good for at least 400hp.

However, there is a distinct possibility that a mid-engined Supra could also see fruition with a 3.5L V6 hybrid powertrain.

Insiders supposedly shared with MT that the next generation BMW Z4 will also benefit from the lessons learned about this BMW and Toyota collaboration. On the other side, Toyota will apparently base this new Supra off of the current Toyota GT86 platform, except in larger proportions and with reinforcements to better handle the extra power. And BMW will be there to step in with expertise on suspension settings and handling with the Toyota. However, I don’t know exactly why after the brand built their outrageous Lexus LF-A, which Jeremy Clarkson recently said was the best car he has ever driven in a recent Top Gear episode.

So far, Toyota’s GT86 engineer, Tetsuya Tada, is said to be spearheading the project and that a concept car is due at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. In the meantime, BMW is also said to be working sacrilegiously on a hybrid V6 unit for this Supra successor…wait…did I just read that right?

– By: Chris Chin

Source: MotorTrend