A bunch of new spy photos of the pretty exotic 2018 Toyota Supra shows off the new production body, and this is our best look at the new vehicle. Toyota’s new sports car is being developed in cooperation with BMW whereas it will share its platform with the upcoming replacement of the Z4.
Design
According to the latest photos, the new Supra, which will be launched next year, is going to take some of the design cues of the Toyota FT-1 Concept introduced in 2014. Even though it is camouflaged, we can see the strong central nose of the FT-1 concept and a new front bumper with three large air intakes implemented into it.
The short front and rear overhangs give this car a coupe-like appearance and when this is paired with the concept’s inspired double bubble roof the result is a body with a lot of steep and sharp curves and bends. The rear end will be similar to the rear segment of the FT-1 concept, and it will sport a rounded ducktail spoiler. Moreover, we can see two thin horizontal taillights which remind us of the original model, and there are also two large exhaust pipes placed on each corner.
The last Supra was launched in 2002, so the return of this iconic car will be exciting. Also on the test mule, we can find a hard-top instead of the fabric roof from the Z4, but don’t expect to buy the 2018 Toyota Supra in any other form than a coupe.
Toyota Supra Hybrid
According to senior Toyota executive, that was one of our sources, the Supra could come with hybrid power. The new model will slot above the GT86 once it goes on sale, whereas the Japanese and German manufacturers are looking to develop the chassis primarily with each carmaker getting to choose their own engine and transmission.
Toyota Europe president and CEO Johan van Zyl was asked whether Toyota plans to expand its hybrid or plug-in hybrid to sports cars. He replied: “I would imagine that in the future that will definitely happen. We already have some sporting models with hybrid powertrains on the Lexus side. But on the Toyota side, I think we will find that if we can have a World Endurance Championship racing car with hybrid technology, it can happen on a road car. I do not have any doubt whatsoever that in the longer-term future there will be a real Toyota sports model using electrification.”
The hybrid tech will be similar to those of the Le Mans race cars. The 2018 Toyota Supra could use electric motors on the front and rear axle, combined with the petrol engine that will send power to the rear wheels. Regenerative braking provides electric power that will be stored in a lithium-ion battery, allowing both BMW and Toyota to offer a plug-in hybrid.
Toyota-BMW Joint Venture and Engine
Toyota made some new trademark applications in Europe and the US for the Supra name back in 2016, whereas the cooperation between the two carmakers started in 2011 when they announced hydrogen fuel cells, shared battery technology and a new sports car platform. Both companies will profit from the developed tech, but they should not be direct competitors as the Supra will be bigger than the Z4. As we have already said, it will sit above the GT86, which is one of the integral cars in the Toyota range.
Rumor has it that the new Supra is expected to arrive with the I6 engine from BMW thus disregarding the 4-cylinder engines of lesser Z4 models. Whichever engine comes under the hood, we want to see great performance figures. Toyota’s first dual-clutch transmission will be employed, and it will replace the CVT gearboxes we got used to.
2018 Toyota Supra Price and Release Date
Toyota still has to confirm the price and the exact release date of the new 2018 Supra, but the car may be introduced at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show in October. However, they should go on sale sometime in 2018, and when it comes to the UK market, don’t expect one until 2019. The base trim will likely cost around $40,000 while the range-topper might reach $50,000 and even go slightly above that mark.
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