Toyota planning track-focused Supra, could BMW Z4 get the same?

By now, it’s no secret that the BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra are twins. In fact, we’ve known for so long, and the project was so mysterious for such a long time, that the two cars almost seem like myths. Especially the Supra, which has been teased for literally decades but has yet to come to fruition. Still, Toyota seems to be planning for the future of the famed sports car, as Supra boss Tetsuya Tada recently told Top Gear.

“At some point I would like to make a track-limited Supra with less weight. We’re already making a racing version so we know if you take out 100kg it’s a completely different car – you don’t even need any more power,” said Tada.

 

After hearing what’s been said about the new BMW Z4 and how capable its chassis is, along with the fact that it’s faster ‘round the Nurburgring than the BMW M2, a “track-limited” Supra sounds positively kick-ass.

One thing Tada said about the Supra, which can likely be said about the BMW Z4 as well, considering they share the same chassis, engine and gearbox, was really encouraging to hear. “The Porsche Cayman has been our dynamic benchmark from the start,” Tada told TG. “The Cayman has the advantage with its engine positioning but I’ve driven the cars back-to-back on track and we’re definitely in the same zone.”

Another bit in the story that was very interesting was Tada told TG both BMW and Toyota were considering a mid-engine layout for the Z4/Supra twins. But, ultimately, front-engine won out for its feel. “We stuck with front engine because of feel and control. We know how to control a front-engine car, we already have that capability. In the planning stages we suggested a mid-engined layout and BMW was happy to go with it, but I took the idea to Akio Toyoda and he told me off.”

The more I hear about this joint Z4/Supra venture, the more I like. But the part about Tada wanting to make a lightweight, track-oriented version of the Supra is music to my ears. We already know that BMW doesn’t currently have any plans to make a proper Z4 M (probably because the Z4 M40i is already so damn quick) but if Toyota makes something special out of the Supra, that could prompt BMW to do so as well. Obviously, nothing of the sort would force BMW’s hand, but if the Bavarians saw what was possible with a track-oriented Supra, could they possibly spring for a BMW Z4 M CS or maybe even CSL? We certainly hope so.

[Source: Top Gear]

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