Is it really so bad that the Toyota Supra was developed in collaboration with BMW?

We live in an era in which collaborations between different brands to bring to market two different products with many elements in common are common. One of the most talked-about alliances of recent times has undoubtedly been that of Toyota and BMW. This union has produced two models that are as sporty as they are legendary, especially in the case of the Japanese brand, which has been able to bring back the iconic Supra. However, many fans of the Japanese sports car have expressed their displeasure at the German house’s involvement in its development, but is this really something bad or negative?

It was in 2002 that Toyota decided to say goodbye to the fourth-generation Supra and, from then on, its loyal enthusiasts could only dream of a successor. After a long gestation period, the Japanese brand finally took the step of presenting the fifth generation of its quintessential sports car, which also came accompanied by BMW.

A alliance that has stirred up the masses

The JDM world is characterised by a great cult around the most iconic and representative vehicles, such as the Mazda RX-7, the Nissan Skyline or the aforementioned Toyota Supra. Today, models such as the GT-R or the 370Z have managed to carry that culture into the present, and Toyota wanted to do the same with the new Supra.

However, enthusiasts of this automotive sector have felt this involvement by BMW as an outrage against their devotion and against the essence of the Toyota Supra. But let us examine carefully whether this participation really deserves to be condemned so harshly.

Toyota Supra and BMW Z4: similar but different

Well, it is true that both the Supra and the Z4 share important elements such as the engine, but we also notice significant differences. Starting with the styling, we quickly notice how Toyota has opted for a very Japanese design defined by sharp, pronounced lines, while BMW has chosen a more sober and restrained design and equipped the Z4 with the ability to hide its roof.

On the other hand, the Supra name belongs only to a Toyota, and the fact that it combines this with top-quality elements from BMW does not seem a reason for anger. Nor should we forget that the German firm has always had a broad range of sports cars which, represented by the letter M, have known – and still know – how to deliver high doses of fun and excitement to their drivers. With this in mind we can rest easy, since Toyota has decided to collaborate with a brand that knows what it is doing when it comes to creating pure, hardcore sports cars.

Thanks to the Bavarian house’s involvement in developing the Supra, we also enjoy an interior with impeccable finishes, something the previous generation of the Japanese sports car lacked. Yes, it is true that the evidence of the parts sharing could have been disguised a little better, but I don’t think we’ll be behind the wheel of the new Supra constantly thinking, “damn it, this is from BMW.” At the same time, the technological showcase it presents is worthy of the most modern vehicles, but the most important thing is found under the bonnet.

As tradition dictates, the new Toyota Supra also has a six-cylinder inline engine under its bonnet. To be more specific, it is a 3.0-litre turbocharged unit capable of producing 340 CV and 500 Nm of torque, figures sent directly to the rear axle. With these performance figures, the Japanese sports car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h.

The chassis, for its part, has been refined by Toyota with the aim of offering authentic dynamic behaviour and leaving behind its synergies with the Z4. In conclusion, we can say that, although BMW has taken part in creating the Supra, we should not regard it as something negative, since we are not only looking at a sports car that ultimately forged its own path, but one that has also been able to take advantage of the benefits offered by the German brand.

Technical specifications of this car

RoadsterBMW Z43 versions · from 60,500 €