Working together between various automakers is not uncommon. Cost and production time savings, as well as the utilization of shared technologies and resources, are frequent advantages of collaboration. Ford has already partnered with Mazda, Toyota has done it with Subaru, and BMW is currently collaborating with Jaguar Land Rover on electrification technology. Toyota and BMW have a long-standing cooperation that recently gave rise to the most recent version of the revered Supra, Toyota’s illustrious mid-sized sports car.
The new Supra, which is now in its fifth generation, doesn’t resemble the BMW Z4 with which it shares parts at all. It has fascinating shapes and pointed-looking headlights, whilst the Z4 has a curvier, more rounder style. The Supra’s bold dimensions can look a little off-putting from certain perspectives. It also sports a distinctive front fascia, as opposed to the safer, more traditional BMW look of the Z4’s.
Even though both vehicles are two-door sports cars, the Supra has a hardtop while the Z4 is only available as a convertible.
However, the new Supra contains a sizable amount of components with BMW stamps underneath. For instance, the inline-six engine, which Toyota engineers specifically modified for the Supra, is derived from BMW. The chassis is identical to the Z4’s, and BMW likewise provides the eight-speed automatic transmission. The Magna Steyr facility in Graz, Austria, produces both vehicles.
The cooperation makes sense both economically and culturally. Toyota understood it had to offer the new Supra a straight-six engine in order to maintain the tradition set by earlier iterations of the Supra.
So instead of spending the time and money necessary to design and construct its own new straight-six, Toyota opted to use BMW’s.
According to Motor Trend, BMW decided against building a new version of a low-volume convertible because the costs associated with doing so would have been too high. BMW was able to release the new Z4 and the new Supra last year thanks in part to financial support from Toyota.
In This Article...
A BMW or a Toyota Supra?
In case you somehow didn’t know, the new Supra is essentially a BMW Z4 on the inside. It has a BMW drivetrain, interior, and parts. It is propelled by a B58 twin-turbo straight-six engine from BMW.
In what country is the Toyota Supra made?
The new Toyota GR Supra is currently in full production. But what happened to the first one that came off the assembly line, as shown in the picture above?
The first A90 Toyota GR Supra was identified by the VIN 20201, which stands for the model year 2020 and the vehicle’s position in the production line.
This exceptional vehicle was given a specification that blended matt grey paintwork with red door mirrors and matt black alloy wheels, while the red inside was enhanced with carbon fiber trim inserts. This combination created a vehicle that was particularly one-of-a-kind. Additionally, the engine cover bears the signature of Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota, if you lift the bonnet.
Toyota intended to debut the fifth generation of this enduring model line after nearly 20 years with something unique to mark the occasion. As a result, the vehicle was put up for auction at the yearly Barrett-Jackson sale in Scottsdale, Arizona. Toyota contributed all sales revenue to the American Heart Association and the Bob Woodruff Foundation charity after the winning bid of $2.1 million.
Tetsuya Tada, the chief engineer, and Nobi Nakamura, the chief designer, were part of the GR Supra development team that made multiple trips to the assembly line to monitor the quality control procedure.
Where is the new Toyota GR Supra built?
Magna Steyr manufactures the new Toyota GR Supra at its site in Graz, Austria. Early March 2019 saw the start of the sports car’s production. The largest automobile contract manufacturer in the world, Magna Steyr now manufactures cars for four well-known automakers.
The Supra is a mere BMW Z4?
Under their epidermis, they are identical twins with distinguished names. But should you choose the German roadster or the Japanese coupe if you only have roughly $90,000 to spend?
Nowadays, making an economic case for a sports vehicle is more difficult than ever, so it’s not hard to imagine that neither the third-generation BMW Z4 nor the fifth-generation Toyota Supra would have been possible without cooperation between the two automakers.
Thankfully, two illustrious automotive traditionsincluding one that dates back to the 1930s with BMW’s roadstersremain intact. And in conventional shape, without any attempt to undergo a horrifying crossover mutation to entice SUV enthusiasts (hello Ford Mustang Mach-E).
Since the last Supra was delivered in 2002, BMW’s open-top sports vehicle has gone by the name Z3, even though both models’ production came to an end in the same year. The Supra is back for a number of very excellent reasons, including Toyota’s success with the 86 compact sports coupe, another collaborative venture with Subaru, and the fervent cries of Supra fans.
According to the legend, Toyota flew its head engineer to Munich to suggest a joint venture that would help the business cut expenses when it decided to finally produce a new generation Supra.
Therefore, despite the fact that the Supra is a coupe and the Z4 is a convertible, both vehicles share the same BMW base as well as other essential BMW parts. Additionally, the same company, Magna Steyr in Austria, constructs both vehicles.
BMW’s six-cylinder engine is one of those shared components, but it can only be had in a Z4 with the $124,900 M40, which is significantly more expensive than the base price of the Supra with its 3.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine.
Why did Toyota commission BMW to build the Supra?
BMW’s involvement, according to Toyota’s performance chief, was compelled by necessity in part because BMW possessed the tools required by Toyota for the Supra, particularly Bimmer’s roaring 3.0-liter inline-six engine.
Which Toyota is powered by a BMW?
The turbocharged B48 2.0-liter inline-four or the turbocharged B58 3.0-liter inline-six are the two BMW-sourced engine options for the Supra.
The Toyota Supra is dependable.
Is the 2020 Toyota Supra Reliable? The estimated reliability rating for the 2020 Toyota Supra is 73 out of 100. A predicted reliability score from J.D. Power of 91 to 100 is regarded as the best, 81 to 90 as great, 70 to 80 as medium, and 0-69 as fair and below average.
Supra: Is it a decent car?
How Good Is the Toyota Supra? If you’re looking for a high-end sports car, the 2022 Toyota Supra is a fantastic choice. The Supra is a thrill to drive, whether you’re carving down switchback roads or simply driving down the freeway, thanks to its snappy turbocharged acceleration, dynamic handling, and balanced ride.
Which engines are used by Mercedes?
In the Vito medium van with front-wheel drive, Mercedes utilizes 1.6-liter four-cylinder diesel engines and Renault transmissions. Entry-level Mercedes A- and B-class cars, as well as the CLA and GLA crossovers, use a 1.5-liter diesel engine made by Renault in Valladolid, Spain.
Supra or Z4: Which is superior?
First and foremost, the BMW Z4 is only available as a soft-top convertible, whereas the Supra is only available as a hardtop coupe.
The Toyota Supra is a sports car that provides unmatched steering control, incredible speeds, a distinctive driving experience, an exclusive Sport Mode, and always garners more attentionall at a lesser price.
The performance-oriented BMW Z4 offers constant torque, an optional open roof driving experience, a plush interior, more color options, and a larger infotainment systemall at a higher price.
Which One is Right For You?
The 2020 Supra is your best option if you’re seeking for a refined, contemporary Toyota.
For those seeking a high-speed cruiser with an excellent range of interior comforts, the BMW Z4 is a terrific option.
Final Verdict
The choice largely depends on your particular preferences and how often you really utilize a car.
The simple response is that the BMW Z4 is the best option if you want a convertible. The Toyota Supra is a simple pick if you don’t need the wind in your hair.
Z4: Is it quicker than Supra?
The Z4 M40i was an obvious option for the BMW used in this comparison. It is powered by a nearly identical turbo 3.0-liter six with 382 horsepower. You might wonder why the Supra was introduced to consumers with a lower-powered version of this engine and then had it updated after a year on the market. That is a valid question. The test results we got at our test facility are directly on top of one another, therefore it doesn’t really matter. In the sprint from 0 to 60 mph, the two automobiles are separated by two tenths of a second (3.7 seconds for the Z4 and 3.9 for the Supra). Through the quarter-mile, the BMW slightly widens its lead, clocking 12.3 seconds at 116 mph versus the Toyota’s 12.4 seconds at 112 mph. The Supra is 160 pounds lighter than the Z4 at 3375 pounds, helping to mitigate the Toyota’s lack of horsepower.
What vehicle has a Supra’s engine?
The 3.0-liter inline-six turbocharged engine in the all-wheel-drive BMW M240i XDrive produces 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The M240i’s engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which is the only way to change ratios. The vehicle is a quick compact car from the firm that creates the ideal driving machine, weighing in at 3,871 lbs.
The same 3.0-liter inline-six turbocharged BMW engine that powers the Toyota GR Supra produces 382 horses and 369 lb-ft of torque. The Supra is a two-door coupe, just like the BMW, and it features an eight-speed automatic transmission and the same engine with the same power numbers.