Toyota Chooses to Collaborate for Fun Cars
When Toyota revived the Supra nameplate, it didn't arrive without controversy. The GR Supra, as it's now known, is the result of a partnership with BMW, sharing much of its hardware with the Z4. While the car brought back a long-lost name from Toyota's performance past, purists were quick to argue that it wasn't a "real" Toyota. That debate has lingered, even as the Supra proved itself both on the road and on the track.
Toyota, however, has made it clear that it can build sports cars entirely on its own. The reason it hasn't is not due to limitations, but rather because joint development often makes financial sense in a market where dedicated sports cars are difficult to justify on their own.
Toyota
BMW Builds "Some Seriously Good Cars"
Speaking with Drive, Toyota Australia's Sales and Marketing boss Sean Hanley addressed the topic directly. He confirmed that Toyota can develop standalone Gazoo Racing sports cars without outside help: "The answer is yes; we can do this on our own. This is exactly what GR is about."
At the same time, Hanley pointed out that partnerships have been valuable learning experiences, citing the Supra's development with BMW as an example. "They build some seriously good cars," he said, adding that Toyota benefited from that collaboration while BMW likely picked up insights as well.
Hanley would not commit to whether Toyota's next sports car would wear the Supra badge, only noting that the nameplate carries significant weight and that Toyota would never rule out its continuation. For now, the brand remains open to different possibilities, even as it stresses its independence.
A Mazda-Toyota Partnership?
Toyota's future sports car strategy remains uncertain at this point. Rumors and prototype sightings point to a road-going version of the GR GT3 Concept, which debuted in 2022, potentially serving as a new halo model. Lexus, too, is expected to benefit from this push, potentially with a hybrid V8 performance car inspired by its Sport Concept.
Beyond that, attention is turning to the entry-level side of Toyota's sports car lineup. According to a report from Best Car, Toyota may collaborate with Mazda on the next-generation GR86, creating a shared platform with the MX-5 Miata. Take this rumor with a tub full of salt for now, but we won't be surprised if it does happen, given Mazda's reputation for making lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sports cars.
