Toyota-BMW joint sports car will be new Z4 but not Supra, source says

The Toyota FT-1‘s surprise showing at the Detroit Auto Show has led to speculation on a revived Supra co-developed with BMW in a newly minted partnership. However, according to new report, while Toyota is helping BMW with the next Z4, the German automaker is not involved in the FT-1 project at all.

“BMW is not involved in the new Supra. I just wanted to make that clear,” source close to Toyota tells Australia’s Motoring. “What I can say is that Toyota is involved in the development of the all-new BMW Z4.”

However, the source implies that, as has already been speculated, Toyota will also sell its own version of the Z4, albeit in a significantly different body. The source goes on to say that basic the body design and and chassis will be developed by BMW. Lightweight construction will be a priority, with extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum à la‎ the i3 and i8. The engine, too, will likely be a BMW unit of less than 2.0 liters, according to the tipster.

Toyota’s contribution to the project will be a performance version of its next-generation hybrid system. Tentatively called the Toyota Hybrid System II, it will use a capacitor system like the one used in the Toyota TS030 race car developed for Le Mans. In return, Toyota is receiving four-cylinder diesel engines from BMW. Production has just begun on Toyota’s new Verso hatchback, which is powered by a BMW 1.6-liter diesel four.

If these reports are accurate, it would appear to indicate that the Toyota version of the Z4 is not going to be called the Supra, and that a sports car worth of the Supra name may either be developed independently by Toyota or not at all.

Photo by Mark Elias.

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