JZA80 Group Forum - by German Supra MKIV Group e.V.

Bekanntlich wird die von BMW neu entwickelte Sportwagen-Architektur auch zur Basis für die neue Toyota Supra, aber beide Hersteller sind offenbar nicht frei von Sorgen bezüglich der Positionierung. Zwar ist die Supra klar außerhalb der üblichen Toyota-Palette unterwegs und darf dementsprechend auch teurer sein, dennoch bliebe zwischen zwei technisch ähnlichen Fahrzeugen von beiden Marken ein relativ großer preislicher Abstand, der sich zumindest aus Sicht von BMW relativ schwer erklären ließe.

Um entsprechenden Problemen weitläufig aus dem Weg zu gehen, haben sich BMW und Toyota nach aktuellem Kenntnisstand dafür entschieden, mit beiden Fahrzeugen trotz ähnlicher Technik unterschiedliche Zielgruppen anzusprechen: Während die Toyota Supra J29 stets als Coupé auf den Markt kommt, bleibt der BMW Z4 G29 über seinen gesamten Lebenszyklus hinweg ein Roadster mit Stoffverdeck. Die charmante Idee, beiden Modellen nach der Hälfte des Lebenszyklus die jeweils andere Karosserievariante als Ergänzung zuzugestehen, ist allem Anschein nach vom Tisch.

Toyota is preparing to announce a fleet of new sports cars set to act as Toyota’s equivalent of the Lexus F series.

Automotive News reports that the Japanese automaker is looking to spice up its lineup with more emotional cars and that the first all-new model in the family will be the long-awaited Toyota Supra.

Details remain scarce about the new Supra but it is thought to be just one of many sports cars Toyota intends on announcing in Japan next month. Beyond the addition of bespoke sports cars to the range, the automaker will strengthen its family of GRMN models after unveiling the Yaris GRMN earlier this year.

It is possible that beyond reviving the Supra, Toyota could resurrect the MR2 and launch a second enthusiast-oriented sports car.

Stay tuned for more details about Toyota’s plans in the coming weeks.

Relax everyone, apparently the upcoming Toyota Supra will have a manual transmission after all. Although a lot of specification information did not feature a manual transmission, the BMW Z4 (co-developed with Toyota) does indicate a manual option. In addition, a member of IH8mud.com forum spoke with a Toyota official and they confirmed the rumored manual transmission.

However, said Toyota official also informed forum members that the upcoming Supra will not have a BMW inline-6, rather a turbocharged V-6, possibly 3.5-liters. This was a rumor floating around for awhile and although it intrigued many, it has been proven incorrect. The co-developed engine will reportedly push over 400 horsepower, plenty of ponies to get the small coupe going. Obviously, no real performance stats or even final design renderings have been released, but it is possible we will see the Supra's debut at the Tokyo Motor Show this year.

There is also a possibility of a hybrid powertrain but that seems a little less likely as no true clues have led us to believe this.