The much speculated Japanese sports car, the Toyota Supra, has been spotted doing some hot laps at the Green Hell. After being spotted a few months back alongside the co-developed BMW Z4, the prototype of the Supra, spied again on the German track reveals more details of the upcoming JDM star.
Although still highly camouflaged, the Supra carries design elements from the FT-1 concept of the 2014 Detroit motor show. The two-seater sports car is rocking a double-bubble roof, boot lid spoiler, dual exhaust and massive air intakes in the front bumpers. The shape of the tail lights shape is also visible. The long hood and tight posterior of the Supra is clearly visible now that the prototype dropped some extra body panels to take on the ‘Ring.
The most interesting bit of news here is about what sits inside the cabin. The prototype is reportedly equipped with BMW’s transmission switchgear and infotainment screen. Even the steering wheel, climate control buttons, rotary dial controller and steering-mounted paddle shifters are scrounged from the Bavarian. The Supra is, therefore, expected to share the automatic transmission with BMW, thus putting forth a question on the availability of manual transmission. The Japanese car will also benefit from BMW’s expertise with carbon-fibre architecture.
Unlike the co-developed Z4, the Supra will boast of a hybrid powertrain. The BMW-sourced gasoline engine will be mated to its electric motors. Toyota’s expertise with the Toyota’s TS030 Hybrid Le Mans car will surely benefit the Supra in matters of alternative powertrain. No other details about the highly-anticipated powertrain are available as yet.
The all-new Supra will sit above the GT86 in Toyota’s sports car line-up. The Z4 is expected to be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show, while the Supra will follow shortly. Production of the Supra is scheduled to kick off only in 2018 at Magna Steyr facility in Graz, Austria.
