This Is Why the New Toyota Supra Just Became So Much Better

That’s the first bit of good news here. But it’s the next part that will make just about everyone breathe a huge sigh of relief. According to a new report from Car and Driver, Toyota has decided to drop the hybrid drivetrain in favor of a BMW-sourced turbocharged inline-six. And it gets even better: the Supra’s rear-wheel-drive chassis will be developed mainly by BMW, too. So what exactly will Toyota bring to the table?

The Supra’s coupe body design. What will BMW get out of the whole thing? A decent amount of access to Toyota’s expertise with inexpensive hybrid technology for future models. Expected to arrive as a 2018 model, the new Supra will actually be roughly 10 percent smaller than the FT-1 concept, similar in size to today’s BMW Z4. Basically, the Supra and the next generation Z4 will be first cousins but with brand-distinctive traits in terms of handling and design. C&D also figures that, considering the investment, the new Supra/Z4’s platform could also underpin future BMWs and maybe even a Lexus.