As the next-gen Toyota Supra’s development continues
in Europe, an engineering mule of the car has appeared in spy shots yet again.
Autoplus.fr reader Yves C recently spotted the next-gen Toyota Supra in
Eygalieres, France.
The 2018 Toyota Supra currently in the works is the
fifth generation model of the iconic sports car. The first 21st century Toyota
Supra is a joint project between Toyota and BMW, with the latter benefitting
from the collaboration with the Japanese automaker’s input in the next-gen BMW
Z4/BMW Z5.
The next-gen Toyota Supra will sit on the same
platform as the next-gen BMW Z4/BMW Z5. Engineered by BMW, the new platform has
components from the current BMW 3 Series as well as its high-performance
derivatives, including the BMW M3 and BMW M4. It will support rear-wheel drive
and four-wheel drive drivetrain layouts. Toyota 86 chief engineer Tetsuya Tada
is overseeing the car’s development.
The 2018 Toyota Supra is said to sport powertrains
developed in-house. The base model would get a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine in
two different tunes: around 242 bhp and nearly 300 bhp. Those will for even
better performance will a range-topping option for a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
engine that will deliver more than 400 bhp. A hybrid variant is also planned –
it is expected to consist of a 3.5-litre V6 engine and an electric motor, with
power being sent to the wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. The
hybrid model should offer more than 350 bhp on tap.
The next-gen Toyota Supra will roll-out of Magna
Steyr’s plant in Graz, Austria beginning in 2018. Manufacturing of the next-gen
BMW Z4/BMW Z5 will take place at the same facility.
