The Reborn Toyota Supra Will be a Turbo Four Plug-in Hybrid

The BMW-Toyota partnership is now in full swing developing the next-generation Z4 and reborn Supra, respectively. What’s already known is that BMW is fully utilizing the knowledge of body construction it gained while developing the i3 and i8. Specifically, this involves the use of hybrid steel and aluminum platform design and carbon-reinforced plastic body panels. Toyota’s new sports car will benefit from this as well.

Styling wise, the new Supra will draw many of its lines from the striking FT-1 Concept, but according to Australia’s Motoring, the final design hasn’t been locked down just yet. However, what we're hearing now is that it’s very likely the next Supra will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four cylinder engine developed by BMW. What’s more, Toyota will then take this engine and match it up with its own 'super conductor hybrid' technology, thus making it a plug-in hybrid. All told, output should easily reach about 350 horsepower. This is very similar technology to what was seen on the Toyota TS040 Hybrid race car that just competed at Le Mans.

There will be three electric motors – two at the front and one at the rear, thus confirming the car will be AWD and not the previously rumored RWD. What’s more, this will be the first Toyota to feature a dual-clutch gearbox – another present courtesy of BMW. Expect to see both the Supra and the new Z4 in showrooms by the end of 2017.