The GR Supra might not endure much longer as reports suggest the partnership between BMW and Toyota is nearing its end. However, Toyota remains determined to collaborate with other automakers to develop exciting vehicles like the Celica and MR2 for enthusiasts—those who prioritize enjoyment over mere transportation. Tomoya Takahashi, President of Gazoo Racing, stated that collaborating with other carmakers is the only way for Toyota to continue producing dedicated performance vehicles in the future, as highlighted by Carsguide.
It appears that models like the fifth-generation Supra may have never reached production, potentially facing cancellation due to high costs associated with developing a new chassis and engine without a partner like BMW. The financial burden of creating a low-volume car independently was too great for Toyota, especially when it wouldn’t likely recoup the investment. Love it or hate it, the development of the GR Supra in 2019 was largely made possible by the platform and powertrain derived from the BMW Z4. This collaboration with BMW felt like a natural extension of the Supra lineage—after all, who better to assist in crafting a sports car powered by an inline-six engine than BMW?
Toyota has often collaborated with Subaru for the development of the GR86, benefiting significantly from the joint effort that produced this beloved vehicle, which shares a platform with the BRZ. Now, Toyota is seeking similar collaborations to share development costs for new models in the GR range. Takahashi mentioned that this isn’t just about ensuring the survival of a single manufacturer but about “protecting car enthusiasts.” He reiterated their mission to bring joy to car lovers, stating, “To achieve this, collaboration is sometimes necessary.” He also pointed out that, “The sports car market is shrinking. We cannot sustain sports cars as an individual brand, Toyota. Future collaborations between brands will increase, and we’re unsure of our partners yet.”
Takahashi emphasized that Gazoo Racing’s goal is to create enjoyable cars rather than simply fast ones. He mentioned that the thrilling acceleration of electric vehicles does not concern them. While Toyota does have the capacity to create enjoyable vehicles independently, as demonstrated by the GR Corolla and GR Yaris, these models are enhanced versions of cars initially designed for practical use, not solely for enthusiasts. For instance, the Yaris has a historical connection with Mazda, which marketed its own variant as the Mazda2. Given their past partnership, a collaboration between Mazda and Toyota for a future GR model seems feasible. Moreover, Mazda’s focus on bringing electric power to the forthcoming Miata suggests promising opportunities for cooperation between the two manufacturers.
Presently, it remains uncertain if Toyota will enter into another partnership, and if so, with whom, especially regarding the anticipated return of the Celica or an electrified MR2. However, it is evident that Takahashi feels the need for another GR SUV to expand Toyota’s performance division. He indicated to Carsguide that an SUV “may be necessary for GR’s growth in the future.” It’s likely we might see something akin to a GR version of the RAV4, but considering the trend of collaboration, an alliance with Suzuki to create a GR Jimny could be incredibly exciting. While this is quite unlikely and a GR Century seems more probable due to the impressive margins it could generate, it’s certainly a dream worth having. After all, Chairman Toyoda has a fondness for the Jimny, and a well-crafted off-roader with the GR stamp of approval would be fantastic.
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