Saturday 3rd December 2016

New Toyota Supra spy shots

It's really starting to take shape now!

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If the prospect of a new Toyota Supra (and BMW Z5) doesn't appeal to you, then bad news: they're going to be covered a lot! Because to many enthusiasts the prospect of another front-engined, rear-drive Toyota is a very exciting one, and they don't seem shy in showing off the prototypes either.

Crucially as well, this car shows off new details from the last time a Supra test mule was seen. From the rear there's a stronger FT-1 influence, with twin exhausts visible and a very pronounced ducktail spoiler also. And ducktails are always good, aren't they? The wheels look of the sensible production variety too, though hopefully some larger items will also be available on the options list. Note too that the double-bubble roof seems to have remained - more good news!

From the front the Supra now appears to have a more production bumper and light arrangement, although there's not a great deal to tell beyond that. Autocar has already rendered what it believes a Supra could look like; this car looks a little more conservative than that for now, but let's give it some time... Encouragingly it looks different to the Z5, further suggesting they will be individual cars rather than badge engineered twins.

With no more details as yet - remember Toyota has announced nothing since the original 2012 agreement - any other information will have to remain speculative for now. It will be interesting to see where the GT86 fits into the Toyota sports car line up, for example. And surely this will be the perfect car to incorporate some of Toyota's hybrid expertise from the WEC? That's all to be discovered in the coming months ahead of a rumoured 2018 launch. More news when we have it!

[Spy shots: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien]

[DM525i]

That looks very much like a Z4 coupe in profile. Are the wheels a BMWesque design? It looks quite small which is no bad thing. Are BMW and Toyota joining forces on this?

[rampageturke]

Having a bit of deja vu here, didn't we have this article a few months back and everyone mentioned it was BMW-esque?

[GroundEffect]

DM525i said:

That looks very much like a Z4 coupe in profile. Are the wheels a BMWesque design? It looks quite small which is no bad thing. Are BMW and Toyota joining forces on this?

Yes. I've heard the Supra and Z4 are the same basic car.

[Kaj91]

rampageturke said:

Having a bit of deja vu here, didn't we have this article a few months back and everyone mentioned it was BMW-esque?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Presuming Ed]

I could do with a car to replace my 981 Cayman and would love this to be it but it looks a little small and from the class below rather than as a direct replacement for the old Supra. What are the engine options?

[Debaser]

Definitely looking forward to this.

[samdale]

Ways this will be a success (In order of probability):

1: BMW Z5 4 pot, sold to the vying masses of middle management.

?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
...10: 400+hp turbo 6 pot Toyota aimed directly at the Nissan GTR. Excellent tuning potential to match the likes of the 2JZ, VR38 etc. Over-engineered gearbox, again to match/exceed the MKIV Supra/GTR. Possible 4WD/hybird tech to take the newly re-born Toyota/Nissan battle to somewhere near where it was 20 years ago.


In short, I'm not very confident we'll get the car we all want from Toyota, but very confident that BMW will sell plenty of whatever they make of it.

[GTEYE]

That looks quite small....

I wonder if there will be room in the range for the GT86, as this looks only very slighter larger.

[PHMatt]

samdale said:

Ways this will be a success (In order of probability):

1: BMW Z5 4 pot, sold to the vying masses of middle management.

?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
...10: 400+hp turbo 6 pot Toyota aimed directly at the Nissan GTR. Excellent tuning potential to match the likes of the 2JZ, VR38 etc. Over-engineered gearbox, again to match/exceed the MKIV Supra/GTR. Possible 4WD/hybird tech to take the newly re-born Toyota/Nissan battle to somewhere near where it was 20 years ago.


In short, I'm not very confident we'll get the car we all want from Toyota, but very confident that BMW will sell plenty of whatever they make of it.

Z5M
585bhp V8 twin turbo.

Supra - 1.4 petrol mated to hybrid engine.

[jon-]

I know the FT-1 was a concept, but it looked bloody awesome.

This looks like another yawn box from a conservative Japanese company.

Such a shame.

[Black S2K]

Presuming Ed said:

I could do with a car to replace my 981 Cayman and would love this to be it but it looks a little small and from the class below rather than as a direct replacement for the old Supra. What are the engine options?

Don't worry - it will be massive.

Toyota version is rumoured to have a 2.0 Turbo & hybrid 4WD (bit like the NSX - or exactly like the 2018 S2000?) or there will be the usual BMW engine options.

BMW Z5 will be a roadster, too.

I'd presume it's rather different from a Cayman/Evora/whatever-type proposition, somehow.

[tim milne]

Why's it got such skinny tyres?

[macky17]

"Autocar has already rendered what it believes a Supra could look like; this car looks a little more conservative than that for now, but let's give it some time... "

A little more conservative? It looks like a different car altogether. Hoping this is just a generic test mule. Yes, I'll give it more time but I've just lost about 60% of my enthusiasm for this thing.

[KarlMac]

I would have thought this would be pitched against the GTR/NSX rather than the mx5/s2000/z4 - it just doesn't scan right does it?

Definitely a place for Toyota to include the GT86 + a larger more powerful FT86, no so much if their going to be the same size

Edited by KarlMac on Tuesday 29th November 15:37

[Evolved]

Naaaaiiillleed it!

[OwenK]

With the more "homely" proportions compared to the FT1 and small skinny wheels and tyres, this is now looking a lot more like a GT86 mk2 than it is a Supra. Which would also make sense as apparently the Subaru alliance is falling through.

[Conscript]

tim milne said:

Why's it got such skinny tyres?

The wheels in general don't look 'right' to me, so perhaps these aren't the wheels intended for the final product?

From what we can see, I think it looks quite promising, proportionally. Only the front end looks a bit awkward, but of course, it's hard to tell under dazzle paint.

[AndrewEH1]

That is one ugly duck! Let's all pray it is basic mule body work and lights and not representative of the final product.

[samdale]

PHMatt said:

Z5M
585bhp V8 twin turbo.

Supra - 1.4 petrol mated to hybrid engine.

Not sure I'm following you...

Are you saying a twin turbo V8 would be a commercial success and therefore likely??
Sadly your suggested supra drive train is more likely for both cars.

[Joe..]

I've been looking forward to this... Loved the FT-1 concept!