[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Rumor: BMW and Toyota Joint Project to Spawn Hybrid Supercar

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Ever since BMW and Toyota announced their joint sports car project using the latest in fuel-cell technology and lightweight construction, the biggest question has always been what type of sports car will come from the project. At one point, BMW said that it was considering among 4-6 different concepts, and some late rumors suggested that a revived Toyota Supra and new BMW Z5 Roadster could be result.

If the latest report from Motoring.com proves to be accurate, the offspring of this joint project will instead be a hybrid halo sports car, in the vein of the Lexus LFA, but with a hybrid powertrain. They speculate that the powertrain may be some variant of the BMW S63Tu (from current M5/M6) with a hybrid system, while the chassis would feature carbon fiber technology from BMW, the first auto manufacturer to foray into the mass production of carbon fiber.

To add to the speculation, the site claims to have recently seen a BMW i8 hybrid sports car sitting in the carpark of Toyota's proving grounds near Mt. Fuji.

Again, keep in mind that this is speculation and has not been confirmed nor denied by BMW nor Toyota.

Note: The image used for this article is only a fantasy i8 rendering we posted last year.

[aajami]

Come on, Scott. Give us more details about this partnership already.

[ManiacGT]

Surely a super car would be limited market... we need a mass market sportscar, a smaller z4 that's smart to drive and quick not some unaffordable pie in the sky.

[e39>all]

Inline 6 with 7 turbos, confirmed!

[Venom692x]

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

Surely a super car would be limited market... we need a mass market sportscar, a smaller z4 that's smart to drive and quick not some unaffordable pie in the sky.

Agreed. Dissapointed

[Billup]

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

Surely a super car would be limited market... we need a mass market sportscar, a smaller z4 that's smart to drive and quick not some unaffordable pie in the sky.

x2. There's already a supercar market, why not make something for the regular person?

[Beck]

You people crack me up. There's been tons of bitching about how BMW doesn't make a halo supercar to take on the Audi R8. Then when potential news of just such a car gets reported there's bitching about it. Make up your damn minds.

[Oliver1]

What does BMW need Toyota for? Just let //M make an M8 version of the i8.

[330xtrai]

Well you got to take into consideration why most companies make supercars, to get more technology to trickle down on their normal cars so it is a good thing. But still +3 that idea though.

[RoboM]

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

Surely a super car would be limited market... we need a mass market sportscar, a smaller z4 that's smart to drive and quick not some unaffordable pie in the sky.

Super car is just a starter. There will surely be more regular things for all of us in the future if that first super car succeed.

[BMWRL]

Originally Posted by Beck

You people crack me up. There's been tons of bitching about how BMW doesn't make a halo supercar to take on the Audi R8. Then when potential news of just such a car gets reported there's bitching about it. Make up your damn minds.

Agree!

[nysour335i]

so i heard this is going to be the new SUPRA, this is something that grabs my attention, but supercar.....IDK

[lasovan]

it really is funny how people are never happy. Almost everyone's complaining about bmw for not having a halo supercar. Now finally we've got some news/rumors about it but some seem to complain and say that what bmw need is an affordable halo sports car. What about developing both?

[professor_yo]

Originally Posted by RoboM

Super car is just a starter. There will surely be more regular things for all of us in the future if that first super car succeed.

Not necessarily. The LFA, on Toyota's end, was a success. But there were no "regular things" for us...people had to find a way to pony up the 400k otherwise lose their opportunity to get one of Toyota's best vehicles.

[ALPINA B5]

a bmw engine with an lfa sound. bmw driver ergonomics with lexus attention to detail. perfect.

[Ashley Schaeffer BMW]

Finally!

BMW already makes enough cars for the "normal people". It would be nice to have something along the lines of an R8 from BMW. Although hybrid?? ugh, a hybrid supercar is an oxymoron.

[alexmtl_135i]

As long as it doesn't look like the i8... I'll probably be happy with whatever they come up with

[631twentyeighteye]

hybrid and supercar don't belong in the same sentence imho.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

Surely a super car would be limited market... we need a mass market sportscar, a smaller z4 that's smart to drive and quick not some unaffordable pie in the sky.

Yes. Something affordable no? There is no one in the affordable sports car market besides the frs. Well maybe 2-3 times the cost at around 60-70k.

Cheaper than a cayman S but performance of a 991??

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by 631twentyeighteye

hybrid and supercar don't belong in the same sentence imho.

Porsche 981 spyder.

Ferrari La Ferrari

Mclaren p1

Upcoming GTR

Formula E series next year

.....and your point is?

You guys saying hybrids dont belong in supercars are crazy. I mean this is not your prius or leaf. This is supplemental to the beastly motor it SHOULD have for more power and instant torque down low. You will never be driving around town in hybrid mode - maybe in parking lots or in the cul de sac.

[pkimM3r]

Halo car would be great.

I need to make more money so i can just get a gt3 and call it a day!

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by Oliver1

What does BMW need Toyota for? Just let //M make an M8 version of the i8.

Cost. BMW has already admitted that the super car segment is a very small one with low profits (if any) so while it would be great from an image standpoint, financially it doesn't make sense. Enter Toyota. Having to benefit from having a super car to take on the R8's while only spending a fraction of the cost you normally would on your own, it becomes a very attractive investment.