For the first time, ever, Toyota finally, publically confirmed the existence of the next Supra at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. As part of a joint-development venture with BMW and its upcoming Z4 roadster, the purpose of the new Supra is to carry Toyota back into an era of all-out performance with a little help of Toyota’s Gazoo Racing Team. The GR Supra Racing Concept on display at Geneva this year is the best look at the successor to the legendary Japanese sports car yet.
The GR Supra Racing Concept pictured above is probably much, much wider than what the production car will be. And you can probably count on them axing that massive rear wing and diffuser, too. But, much in the same way it worked with Subaru to make the GT86/BRZ, Toyota joined forces to work with BMW for the Mk V Supra. But, speaking with Top Gear, project chief Tetsuya Tada says there will be much fewer similarities between the Japanese and German sports cars. “They are not the same kind of car; we will continue the heritage of the Supra, a pure sports car. There are fewer common elements than you would imagine. It’s not like the GT86 and Subaru.” And based on the images we’ve already seen of the BMW Z4, that just leaves what’s under the hood and how it’ll handle.
Toyota will borrow BMW’s turbo straight-six (possibly from the M3) will provide the power and will also share similar suspension to the Bimmer, albeit tuned differently. If the Supra does get the M3’s powerplant, that means Toyota will be playing with around 450 horsepower. Add that to the front engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, and it’s clear Toyota is shouting at the world, loud and clear, it’s don making boring, half-assed road cars. As for the actual production version, that revealing will happen at next year’s Detroit Auto Show. It’s about time.
