Ever since people (every time I write the people I think of Bane) got to know that Toyota is developing an all-new Supra, the car community was abuzz with speculation, alleged rumors, and information about the new car. Then, we figured out that Toyota is actually developing its new Supra with the BMW. It was like a bomb went off in the world of cars. Now, all are interested to know just how deep this connection goes? While the information we have about both cars confirm that they will, truthfully, share, a lot, comments from the representatives of both companies suggest that BMW and Toyota went their separate ways after agreeing on the basic architecture.

In an interview with CNET, Supra Program Assistant Chief Engineer Masayuki Kai commented this:

“We agreed on the packaging. Like where is the hip-point of the driver, what’s the wheelbase, the width, where’s the fuel tank, where’s the A-pillar, this was around the middle of 2014 … After that, we completely separated our team. After that, no communication with each other.”

Are Toyota and BMW Mad at Each Other?

Of course, they aren't, but not sharing every tidbit of tech and the layout of the cars based around the same architecture, is actually a strategy that will ensure that the two companies produce two different cars. Two teams on two different continents are trying to make two different cars using parts from the same bin. I am sure that they managed to do just that.

“Basically, the platform is the same … so we assume that we are using the same components, but as I mentioned, we are not sure that they will use the same components,” Kai explained.

With that said, BMW tried to craft a car that complements with the roadster nature of the Z4s from before, but takes it to the world of dynamic proves probably unknown to any BMW Z up to this point in time. This is its whole point of existence - to become as sharp, as fast, and as fun as this platform allows. In that regard, Toyota crafted many segments of the car up to their standards and ideas. First of all, the car isn’t as big, nor, I am sorry to say, as flamboyant as the one before. But it does sport specific tuning settings for the suspension, throttle response, shift points of the ZF transmission, and even some, less noticeable, engine mods.

"Tuning of the shifting, some of the shift-shock, shift-speed, all if this is specifically designed for our Supra... For the engine, we tuned the engine for throttle response and a little more sport," Masayuki Kai was clear.

Similarities Between The new Supra And The Z4 Are Fundamental

Regardless of what Toyota and BMW engineers say about the two cars, it is quite clear that they share a lot. As I am writing about dimensions right now, let me tell you right away that the new Toyota Supra will only be a tad longer and wider compared to a rather compact Toyota GT86. Not a big car, obviously. Yet, it will be dramatically more powerful. The 3.0-liter, inline-six rests under the front bonnet and motivates the Supra with more than 300 horsepower. They did not confirm anything about power as of yet, but consider it to be a bit more than 330 horsepower. That before the GRMN comes out. I expect that one to have 430+ horsepower. Right from the production line.

While everyone is quite sure that the new Supra is getting the ZF eight-speed transmission, some rumors did appear about the possibility of manual integration.

Apparently, Toyota even produced a manual Toyota Supra prototype with a steering wheel on the right. According to Kai, they are still assessing the market and weighing on what they will do with the transmission. Maybe we'll get a manual after all. However, the market isn’t as favorable to manuals. At all.

Further reading

Read our full speculative review on the 2019 Toyota Supra.

Read our full review on the 2014 Toyota FT-1 concept car.