FT86 to Supra?

[switchlanez]

Closest thing you'll get to a Supra successor is this. I see the hybrid element coming to fruition considering Toyota has shown serious development efforts (LFA w/ electric power in endurance racing + GRMN Hybrid testing for years).

Originally Posted by MotorTrend

According to our man in Japan Peter Lyon, Toyota R&D is working on a Supra successor that is being tested with a 3.5-liter V-6 hybrid system generating over 400 hp. Rumored to be wearing a design close to the FT-HS concept’s body (pictured below) revealed at the 2007 Detroit show, the rear-drive coupe is expected to target the Nissan GT-R in terms of performance and price. But our insider tells us that Toyota bean counters “are not too pushing to get this car out quickly,” and are waiting to see how the GT86 goes. If it gets the go-ahead, we won’t see it until 2015.
In contrast, Toyota engineers ARE putting more effort into readying a test mule of the MR-S based 4WD GRMN coupe boasting the same Lexus GS sourced 3.5-liter hybrid system. If this project gets the green light, we can expect to see it in showrooms by late 2014.





However, there seems to be one issue for Toyota product planners. They are in the final developmental stages of a Lexus IS coupe that will be powered by the same powertrain, a fact that creates a differentiation problem for Toyota.

Based on Re_Invention's strong argument about the G35 vs. 350Z and the boldfaced text above, I'd expect the rumored IS coupe to come out next, if anything. That, then the GRMN Hybrid, FT-HS (possibly using FR-S as a base but hybrid), or LF-LC would take precedence over a gas-powered 86-based "big brother." Especially with the new NSX coming out.

[tripjammer]

OMG is she included? Is that why the Toyota 86 is so expensive in Japan?

[serialk11r]

switchlanez yes, and I think it's much more likely that Toyota would drop a new powertrain into say an IS coupe, or MR-S based chassis, rather than a Subaru produced chassis.

[ZDan]

The MR-S is irrelevant in this thread on two major counts:
1. you're talking about making a variant of a car that doesn't exist any more.
2. MR = nothing to do with a possible new Supra, possibly based on FR-S

I appreciate the MR-S (from the previous page, looks like our thoughts on it are practically identical!). But as for a new car based on it, you might just as well talk about simply dusting off/reviving the MkIV. The MR-S is LONG GONE, and they'd more likely design a new one rather than try to dust off a 13 year old model. It's not like the tooling and assembly lines are set and ready to go.
And if they did make a new one (or manage to make a case for investing the time/money/effort into setting up OLD tooling again, which I'd *highly* doubt), it wouldn't be a "Supra" anyway, it'd be a new MR-whatever.

[serialk11r]

You're probably right about that, but I keep wondering about the GRMN MRS hybrid concept...I'm probably being stupid and I realize it's probably just something they went like "hey, we have an MRS lying around, and some GS450h parts lying around...let's make a racecar out of this!"

[tripjammer]

Originally Posted by ZDan

The MR-S is irrelevant in this thread on two major counts:
1. you're talking about making a variant of a car that doesn't exist any more.
2. MR = nothing to do with a possible new Supra, possibly based on FR-S

I appreciate the MR-S (from the previous page, looks like our thoughts on it are practically identical!). But as for a new car based on it, you might just as well talk about simply dusting off/reviving the MkIV. The MR-S is LONG GONE, and they'd more likely design a new one rather than try to dust off a 13 year old model. It's not like the tooling and assembly lines are set and ready to go.
And if they did make a new one (or manage to make a case for investing the time/money/effort into setting up OLD tooling again, which I'd *highly* doubt), it wouldn't be a "Supra" anyway, it'd be a new MR-whatever.

+1

[switchlanez]

^Oh, I was referring only to the FT-HS being the likely successor (guess I should have made that clearer). But the GRMN Hybrid is still relevant because we can't ignore resources/efforts in other projects on the radar when discussing the viability of a Supra successor. I agree the MR-S body is a mule but see its hybrid performance engine being transplanted into several different performance models (Toyota or Lexus, MR or FR Supra successor).