[Jason]

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BMW Toyota Joint Sports Car - Latest News and Speculations

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Motor Trend has posted some more info and speculations on the upcoming joint sports car project between BMW and Toyota (also see recent news.

The lead engineer will be none other than Tetsuya Tada, the chief engineer responsible for the very successful Toyota 86 (AKA FR-S / GT86 / BRZ). Tada San is a rockstar among fans of the Toyota 86. Some of his engineering philosophies can be seen in the interviews posted below. If the BMW-Toyota joint sports car project is engineered according to these principles, we are in for a treat.

He has already visited with BMW several times in the past year since the greenlighting of this project. "I am hoping for a synergy effect with BMW that will result in a product that none of us could have imagined; something more than anyone expects. I would like that to be something like a sports car," Tada San has been quoted as saying. "I would even go so far as to say that for the collaboration to work we have to bring a product which exceeds all these expectations."

Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda, himself an avid sports car enthusiast, is quoted as saying "I get so excited thinking about the cars that will result from this relationship." Toyoda and Tada San have been heralded by car enthusiasts for bringing a back-to-basics sports car in the form of the Toyota 86.

The powerplant for the joint sports car is speculated to be either a BMW or Toyota inline 4 engine, and not the 2.0L FA20 Subaru Boxer engine that powers the 86. Hence, the 86's platform will need modifications to fit a new engine.

Motor Trend further speculates that the engine would feature natural induction and be paired with electric motors. An AWD Toyota 86 with front in-wheel motors is rumored to be in the works and the article speculates that this setup could potentially be used on the joint sports car.

As rumored before, the BMW and Toyota versions of the car are expected to receive significantly different exterior styling. The render used in this story is simply a speculative fantasy render.

Finally, the concept(s) from this joint collaboration may be shown at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show in November.

Here are some interviews with the chief engineer for this project, Tetsuya Tada (on the Toyota 86):

[yousefnjr]

This is probably gonna be sweet, as long as it has an I6 excited to see what comes out of this

[AlpWhite11]

If its going to be a lightweight car built on the 86 platform then it won't get an inline 6. Article says inline 4 anyway.

[Bowser330]

Oh cool another little 4cyl sports coupe

What they "should' do is work together to develop the new Supra and make it a worthy competitor to the GTR. I6 TT AWD & lighter than the GTR.

[Blindside_137]

Originally Posted by Bowser330

Oh cool another little 4cyl sports coupe

What they "should' do is work together to develop the new Supra and make it a worthy competitor to the GTR. I6 TT AWD & lighter than the GTR.

This x1,000

[Tag]

"Motor Trend further speculates that the engine would feature basic atmospheric induction and be paired with electric motors."

Does that mean the engine will be a naturally aspirated hybrid engine? If so I've lost all interest in this.

[NYAWE60]

Originally Posted by Bowser330

Oh cool another little 4cyl sports coupe

What they "should' do is work together to develop the new Supra and make it a worthy competitor to the GTR. I6 TT AWD & lighter than the GTR.

That would be very easy. But clearly we can tell that both BMW and Toyota are all about how much their wallets can swell. The barrage of X coupes and gran coupes are a highly indicative of that. There really isn't much profit in 100K cars unless you're company name is Porsche. Even at $380K, Lexus lost significant money on the LFA project. It was built to show/prove to the world Toyota could and indeed did "do it". They built what I believe to be the most drivable supercar ever made. The last time that was done, again it was another Japanese company and that was Honda/Acura's NSX. Thats arguable, but its my opinion. Yes the GTR puts out better numbers, but the experience of the LFA is light years beyond the GTR. If this car is priced right, it will sell extremely well.

[pbw]

Not yet convinced...

[alexmtl_135i]

BMW + Toyota should probably do something more than another 4 cylinders sports coupe like the GT86. Make it 6 cylinders and much more powerful please !

[mammothboarderdc]

This really would be one hell of a car.

[TheBingoBalls]

I think it's refreshing to see something like this instead of the traditional competition where today, it's about who can output the most power. If this ends up being like the Toyaburu twins but on steroids, it's going to be one hell of a car.

[dreamspeed]

A I4 is fine if you are going the super lightweight approach a la Lotus but i think BMW fans would love something with an I6.

Maybe there can be a two different model ranges?

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by dreamspeed

Maybe there can be a two different model ranges?

Knowing BMW, there will be: a sports car, some sort of 4-door coupe version, and probably a jacked-up CUV version. To start.

[bunker]

Originally Posted by mammothboarderdc

This really would be one hell of a car.

...because all of us want a BMW that also looks like your neighbor's Toyota.

[mammothboarderdc]

Originally Posted by bunker

...because all of us want a BMW that also looks like your neighbor's Toyota.

It is a combined effort, meaning BMW will be paid to help Toyota build the car. All i am saying is it will be a pretty cool car. There is little information on this right now, can't judge yet haha

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by lem144

Knowing BMW, there will be: a sports car, some sort of 4-door coupe version, and probably a jacked-up CUV version. To start.

Followed shortly by a cabrio and then a gran cabrio

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by bunker

...because all of us want a BMW that also looks like your neighbor's Toyota.

This isn't aimed at the traditional BMW customer where brand and badge matters, those customers will continue to look at the BMW's and BMW's only. This is for people who want a fun car, someone who would consider a FR-S, BR-Z, 1-Series and maybe a Z4. For all we know, this collaboration car could be combination of all these cars.

From the limited info already released, if you think this is going to have a strong BMW presence where it will look more like a BMW than a Toyota, I think you're going to be disappointed. Right now signs point to a more Toyota based design with BMW providing the engine.

This is definitely a fun time with the 2-Series news and now this. Can't wait for more news!

Edit: Got too excited and see there will be two versions. But my argument still stands. Anybody looking for a car like this isn't too concerned with looks, brand, image. How many here would still buy the Toyoburu twins if it looked the same but had a BMW engine in it? I'm pretty sure quite a few of us would.

[Jpmory]

Originally Posted by Bowser330

Oh cool another little 4cyl sports coupe

What they "should' do is work together to develop the new Supra and make it a worthy competitor to the GTR. I6 TT AWD & lighter than the GTR.

+1

[bbg2d]

Originally Posted by Bowser330

Oh cool another little 4cyl sports coupe

What they "should' do is work together to develop the new Supra and make it a worthy competitor to the GTR. I6 TT AWD & lighter than the GTR.

Agreed +infinity.

[dreamspeed]

Some of you need to read the article again....it specifically says that the BMW and Toyota versions will look significantly different.

The BMW will look like a BMW and the Toyota would look like a Toyota...it's just the chassis, engine, etc that will be the same/similar

[keepittrill]

I thought they just announced a partnership with Honda or something?

[Jason]

Originally Posted by keepittrill

I thought they just announced a partnership with Honda or something?

Toyota. See http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=795699