New Supra for 2006??

See http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=9422 for full

story and pics and link to discussion on their boards, but for

convenience, the text of the story is:

TOYOTA TO TAKE ON NISSAN 350Z? Tuesday 9th November

New 330 bhp Supra to be lightweight, distributed 50:50

Toyota will blast back into the sports car market in 2006 with an

all-new Supra – and a ground-breaking MR2 replacement could follow.

The Japanese giant is jostling with Ford to become global number two –

and that's without a major sporting push.

Until now.

The Supra coupe has broken cover at the Nürburgring, along with an MR2

lookalike. The Supra – which bowed out of dealer showrooms in 1996 –

will largely follow its predecessor's blueprint. That means a

front-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive and a six-pot powerplant. At

launch the Supra will run a naturally aspirated V6, displacing 3.5

litres. Peak power is pegged at around 330 bhp, transferred to the

tarmac via a six-speed 'box.

As the spec suggests, the Supra will clash head on with the 350Z. And

like the Nissan, the Supra could be sold as a drop top too. If given

the green light, the roadster is set to adopt an SC430-style folding

tin top.

There's still some work to be done on the chassis, though. The

prototype seen here is based on a cut down version of the new Lexus GS

platform – but sources say engineers aren't yet happy with the

dynamics. If the chassis doesn't come up to scratch, the Supra may get

its own bespoke underpinnings. Either way, the aim is for 50:50 weight

distribution and an impressive 1,200 Kg kerb weight, thanks to the use

of lightweight materials including aluminium and perhaps even carbon

fibre panels.

Meanwhile, Toyota also appears to be testing the world's first

mid-engined hybrid, disguised as an MR2. Toyota showed such a sports

car – the CS&S concept – at the 2003 Frankfurt show. The Prius'

1.5-litre was mid-mounted and drove the rear wheels, while two

electric motors span the front axle.

"It's an area we are playing around with – it's my pastime", says head

of R&D Dr Akihiko Saito. With hybrid powertrains shrinking in size and

weight, there's a chance the next MR2 could go hybrid. Today's car

bows out of the US market at the end of 2005 although UK sales should

continue. The company is clearly looking at a radical successor – but

there is no definitive word on production yet.

To be fair,I've seen the pics on here recently, but that info. is new to me.

previous thread

It looks foul :eek2:

Looks like a cross between the NSX and the new shape Celica. I am indifferent to it. Take it or leave it. MkIV is much nicer

I thought that the pictures of the black one turned out to be something else and not a Toyota??

Looks a bit square and chunky like the new celica's which I hated. ALthough I did own a T-Sport but had a full TRD kit on it so it looked really nice

I suppose no matter how the New Supra looks, we can stick an aftermarket kit on it to make it look nice

Although, I don't suppose I'll be able to afford one for the first 3 years of its life anyways. So I'm looking at 2009

Looks a bit square and chunky like the new celica's which I hated. ALthough I did own a T-Sport but had a full TRD kit on it so it looked really nice

 

I suppose no matter how the New Supra looks, we can stick an aftermarket kit on it to make it look nice

 

Although, I don't suppose I'll be able to afford one for the first 3 years of its life anyways. So I'm looking at 2009

The picture looks heavily photoshopped

The headlights don't look particularly efficient (similar to Calibra ones, that don't give off enough light)

The rear looks like a Gen. 7 Celica

The spoiler looks like its made from Mecano

And a single windscreen wiper...Hmmmmm very Citroen

Sorry end of rant

The car will be covered in panels to disguise it's shape though. Jaguar did this when I was working on the XK8. Made it look like an estate

Great! If that is true, I can save my money instead of getting a MKV! I was worried that if the other rumours of a 500bhp V8 to take on the C6 Z06 etc were true, I would have to start saving for one!

But where will the MR2 fit in? I always saw that as the lighter more hardcore sports car (turbo), with the Supra having a bit more GT car in it.

I'm quite interested for when they start reveiwing the MKV and how they compare it to the MK4

Once launched would this bring the prices of mkiv's crashing down

why has the world gone off turbo charged petrol engines ? it cant be fuel consumption as surely a 3.5 litre na is going to be no more economical that a 3.0 turbo, is it just a fad, i'me confused, its bad news though as its a damm sight easier to crank up the power on a turbo, guess i'll have to stick with the mkiv

First pics, I prefer the MK4 straight off.. I like the curvy lines.. Not them clean straight cut ones like the Celica has.

I think they have just cut-and-shut the damn thing..

Front end - MR2 Roadster.

Backend - Celica.

Anyways, the boss says I have to keep this car for ever and ever now due to the ammount I spent on it

V6.. Na!? Gheyy (

NA powerplant makes baby jesus cry

Great! If that is true, I can save my money instead of getting a MKV! I was worried that if the other rumours of a 500bhp V8 to take on the C6 Z06 etc were true, I would have to start saving for one!

Deffo, 500bhp, hmmm even the bog standard C6 kicks the ass of most new supercars. The Z06 will be a beast, and a more affordable one!

Thers' an article in this months EVO mag about this car.

Team Vortex knows much more but are sworn to secrecy, all we can say is start saving, it wont be cheap...............................................

We know that!

But will it be fast? As in C6 Z06 fast?

Team Vortex knows much more but are sworn to secrecy, all we can say is start saving, it wont be cheap...............................................

It has a Lexus badge, I could have told you that.

Oh its SUCH a big secret....No-one has exclusive information...we all know as much as each other...Toyota and Lexus is a bit like Willie Wonkas Chocolate Factory.

No-one BUT no one has a golden ticket to knowledge that has not come via the media dept ..anyone who thinks they have is talking out of their BUMHOLE!

....and to add this isn't a Supra either...its as much a replacement for the Lexus coupe than anything else....so as far as I'm aware...apart from the media describing it as the new Supra....Toyota And Lexus havent...which also means they could still build an actual Supra...I'm considering the C6 if they dont,,,Zo6 will be out of my league otherwise that would be the one I'd go for!.

But who knows Toyota may still build a Supra with the Supra badge !!!! truth is NO-ONE KNOWS!!!

But who knows Toyota may still build a Supra with the Supra badge !!!! truth is NO-ONE KNOWS!!!

Vortex clearly know! I suspect thet are in talks with Toyota in view to supplying performance upgrades for it.