Right now, the technical handshake between BMW and Toyota is coming to a head with the imminent release of two significant cars from both marques, each borrowing expertise and technology from the other.
BMW is developing their next roadster, the Z5, with Toyota’s help and for their help Toyota are gaining valuable sports car insight from the one of the most respected badges in that department that will be channeled into a high performance coupe, the Supra.
These are all details that we already knew, but what we didn’t was a firm timeline or rough specifications for either, particularly the Supra since the Z5 by comparison would likely follow the mould of its predecessor. That Toyota nameplate, on the other hand, ended 14 years ago in 2002.
A recent video that spied what looked to be a Supra test mule exiting BMW M’s test facility at the Nurburgring track in Germany. What was interesting was the powertrain noise that was heard as it accelerated away.
A distinct whirr was made audible of the kind we’re used to hearing from an electric motor, leading us to believe that the next Supra will indeed be a hybrid sports car, something that BMW could probably advise Toyota on through their experience developing the i8.
Additionally, the Supra is also expected to gain an advanced carbon construction similar to that used by BMW in the new 7 Series, i3, and yes, the i8. Both the Toyota coupe and BMW Z5 roadster are expected to launch somewhere around 2018 and to share a common platform, all-wheel drive configuration, and the same BMW engine.
There wasn’t much to dig through concerning the car’s exterior, though, except that it does match what many believe to be the general proportions of the next Supra as a compact sports coupe. No obvious indication about whether any cues seen on the Toyota FT-1 concept shown in 2014 has survived the journey into a production model, however, though it’s clear the silhouette has not.
When launched, the all-new Supra would sit above the 86 in Toyota’s range of sports cars, both models being developed closely with partners.
For more on Toyota vehicles, including pricing and specifications, check out our Showroom.
