The next-generation Toyota Supra has been discussed, anticipated, and drooled over for years. The last iteration of the sports car, the Mark IV, gained a passionate following following its debut in 1992, and become a tuner car icon in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s.
It’s anticipated successor has been speculated since 2006, when Toyota debuted its FT-HS Concept. The FT-HS mated a high-output gas engine to an electric motor, and although many rumored Supra follow ups have been discussed since then, the FT-HS connection might not have been far off.
Motoring is reporting that the Supra’s successor, which will be co-developed with BMW, will feature a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a three-motor supercapacitor system.
The Bavarians will supply the gas engine and build the electric motors, but the hybrid system will be designed by Toyota.
The 2.0-liter inline is likely the same unit from BMW’s upcoming Z4 replacement, which will share the Supra’s platform. It makes 190 horsepower, 245 hp, and 270 hp in its various states of tune, so combined power output with the electric motors is expected to measure around 350 hp. A dual-clutch automated manual transmission (also made in Germany) will deliver energy to the pavement.
Two torque-vectoring electric motors will be mounted up front and a third in the rear, suggesting an all-wheel drive layout for the supercar. Given its projected curb weight of less than 3,086 pounds, active torque vectoring and KERS-like system, the Supra’s replacement could give the M4 a run for its money.
There’s no conformation on the Supra’s styling yet, but expect it to draw some aesthetic cues from Toyota’s FT-1 Concept. Like the Z4 with which it shares a chassis, expect Toyota’s latest speedster to come out sometime in 2017.
The BMW-powered Supra isn’t the only fruit to come of Toyota’s collaboration with BMW; we reported in May that Toyota may be using technology from the BMW i8 on the next-gen LFA. We’ll try to hide our hysteria, but no promises.
