Toyota Supra spy shots - update

Because it's not a real test mule until it's been on the Nurburgring, right?

Now this is progress! Only the other day pictures landed of what is believed to be the next Toyota Supra, jointly developed with BMW. Today it's been photographed on the Nurburgring, apparently completing a couple of laps before returning to Toyota's technical centre.

There's not a great deal more to tell for now, but the car does at least look at home on circuit. Michelin tyres are visible - a Pilot Super Sport or Cup 2 would seem the obvious assumption - with fairly substantial calipers on the front brakes too. It hunkers down through the mini-Karussell and looks nicely poised on the previous corner too. Of course we can't be sure for now, but the signs are good!

So what would you like to see from the next Supra? With BMW's input there's surely the possibility of a straight-six return, for example. Is a manual option necessary? Should it be more GT in style or instead a faster and more capable sports car in the GT86 mould? Over to you!

ORIGINAL STORY, AS REPORTED 20/09/2016:
Those with good memories will recall when Toyota and BMW agreed to collaborate on a sports car. Since then there's been little to report, bar some speculative 'Z5' spy shots, but this looks more encouraging.

According to our spy photographer this car is the new Toyota Supra, a new hybrid sports car jointly developed by Toyota and BMW. Now apparently this car takes inspiration from the FT-1 concept; we'll have to assume it looked more like that in the flesh because we're struggling to see it here! That being said, there is plenty to be encouraged by; the proportions and design imply it's front-engined and rear-wheel drive, the car relatively compact and with short overhangs. There are a few interesting details as well at this early stage - note the kicked-up bootlid spoiler, double-bubble roof, twin exhaust outlets and Ferrari-style rear lights. The front end looks a little more, well, Japanese and slightly nondescript at the moment, but there's plenty of time for that to be sorted.

The hybrid powertrain idea was part of the plan from the start, the expertise from both brands making it a natural fit for a new sports car. Interestingly though the only front-engined, rear-drive hybrids offered by either at present are the 330e and 740e saloons. Will the sports car be influenced by those or the more exotic BMW i cars? Toyota of course has its fair share of hybrid experience too...

Whatever the final decision, the new Supra project (and the BMW it will also spawn) is one to be very excited by. In a performance car scene dominated by hatches and crossovers, to see a new coupe in development has to be good news. And wouldn't it be cool to have a Supra, an NSX and a GT-R on sale at the same time again? Long live the Japanese fast car!

[Photos: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien]

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