Blackfire Posted September 24, 2018 Posted September 24, 2018 We knew for some time that Toyota was developing a new sports car in partnership with BMW, but at this year's Geneva Motor Show, the good news was confirmed with the GR Supra Racing Concept. Then at Goodwood, Toyota showed off a camouflaged near-production Supra, promising it'll carry on a long tradition of rear-wheel drive, straight-six powered sports cars. There are still a lot of unknowns, though. So here, we've compiled what we know about the 2019 Supra—based on our conversations with chief engineer Tetsuya Tada at Geneva and Goodwood—plus some of the more credible rumors we've heard. This story will be continually updated as more information is learned. It was last updated 7/18/2018. It's Getting Straight-Six and Four-Cylinder Power Toyota is developing the rear-wheel drive platform for the Supra with BMW, and one advantage to this partnership is access to smooth, straight-six power. At Goodwood, Toyota confirmed that the Supra will get an inline-six. Chief engineer Tada has been insistent the Supra will come so equipped.Specs haven't been confirmed yet, but we uncovered documents from transmission supplier ZF that indicate the Supra's six will offer up 335 hp. This is BMW's single-turbo 3.0-liter B58B30 unit, the same found in the M240i and many other cars from the German brand. Those documents from ZF also indicate that the Supra will get a four-cylinder option, too. Specifically, BMW's turbocharged, 2.0-liter codenamed B48B20, which will make 262 hp. Toyota has been reluctant to confirm this engine, but at Goodwood, Tada told us it's a reality. He noted this engine is lighter and offers better weight distribution, and, it's the perfect platform for engine swaps, since it's cheaper. So if you're gonna put a 2JZ in this new Supra, start with the four-cylinder. There Might Not Be a Manual Option Those documents from ZF indicate that both engines will be offered with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with no mention of a manual. In our conversations with Tada, he hasn't ruled out the possibility of a manual Supra, but it seems unlikely. Perhaps if there's demand for a manual down the line, Toyota may offer one, but for now, we're preparing for an automatic-only Supra. It Shares a Platform With the New BMW Z4 The Supra will be the result of a BMW-Toyota collaboration first announced in 2012. The two companies are working together on engines and lithium-ion batteries, and this rear-wheel drive sports-car platform. In addition to the Supra, this platform will underpin the upcoming BMW Z4, which was first shown in concept form last year.
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