New Supra and Z4 will share platforms

^ I think it may save a few bucks but not 100% sure, maybe save on destination fee's?

But to me this is also another clue as to why they might be sharing an engine/drive train

“The concept works, the platform can deliver and now we have two proud sets of engineers - one group German, one group Japanese - who are each fighting and arguing for the car they want.”

The platform seems to be complete. But why would the two companies engineers now be 'fighting and arguing for the car they want' if the only thing they were going to share was the platform which is complete. If they were building their own engine/drivetrain/suspension etc. that makes the car why would this be going on?

i wouldnt be surprised if both cars were built in the US. the new NSX is going to be built here too.

It may not matter in terms of reliability since both companies have good quality control in all its plants but I can't help but think that whichever company ends up building the cars at its plant will have more of a 'stamp' on this joint project, at least in the public's eye.

It's very interesting that the cars will possibly share production. All I hope is that the BMW doesn't in any way hold back the Supra.

US production makes sense to avoid import duties from Japan/Germany as we will make up the bulk of the car's market and there are no trade agreements among our countries. However it would prevent us from being able to take advantage of the strong dollar and relatively weak yen/euro. And cars going back to Japan and Europe would face tariffs.

Seems like most factors would point to Mexico being the source of any new car given their free access to most of the world's biggest markets, but it's unlikely that these cars will be produced in large enough volume for those savings to be worthwhile.

I can't help but wonder why they would be built at the same plant. It's so strange to me, two very different companies, but I guess that is what this whole joint development was meant to be? Because it sure doesn't seem like Toyota did much of anything (so far from the rumors). Maybe they contributed more capital etc to the production of these cars.

yup, pretty much the same with the 86/BRZ. Toyota will just be funding most of the project.

gymratter said:

yup, pretty much the same with the 86/BRZ. Toyota will just be funding most of the project.

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That true? Never read anything on each company's financial share of the project.

^ Toyota styled the car and helped with the engineering of the car. The car chasis and motor was provided by Subaru. Toyota provided their D4S Direct Injection for the engine. I believe the car is built by Subaru at a Subaru plant as well.

910ps said:

That true? Never read anything on each company's financial share of the project.

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i was being a little over the top. of course Toyota contributed more than just the funds, but yeah a lot of people think that Subaru did most of the work. there is or at least was a huge debate over at FT86club on the matter.

Supraman said:

^ Toyota styled the car and helped with the engineering of the car. The car chasis and motor was provided by Subaru. Toyota provided their D4S Direct Injection for the engine. I believe the car is built by Subaru at a Subaru plant as well.

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i believe Toyota also provided the auto tranny?

^ I know what you meant. It does feel like this Bmw partnership is headed the same way though, minus the styling interior/exterior of the car.

gymratter said:

i was being a little over the top. of course Toyota contributed more than just the funds, but yeah a lot of people think that Subaru did most of the work. there is or at least was a huge debate over at FT86club on the matter.



i believe Toyota also provided the auto tranny?

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Oh I thought you were talking about Toyota funding most of the BMW joint project.

910ps said:

Oh I thought you were talking about Toyota funding most of the BMW joint project.

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oh idk about that. but i wouldn't be surprised if Toyota did end up funding most of the cost.

S O B said:

Man lots of cars already share the same engine now they're going to share the same platform. It's really just going to be the same car with a different shell eventually Or same sausage different lengths as the saying goes.

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I find that mostly applies to sedans and not so much the special sports cars in a company's lineup. Luckily nothing in Toyota's lineup will be mistaken for the Supra when it comes out.

Sad news IMO. Why not just stick a BMW badge up front too.

Could Toyota add or improve anything on a BMW engine to make it more "Toyota"?

Been lurking at Bimmerpost for any info on the project. These were posted from a BMW insider who posts often there.

This is two companies who are at the pinnacle of engineering and lightweight material application that have pooled all available resources to develop an architecture which is mainly developed at BMW that will not only be cost effective in its application but will surprise many in what will be offered for the price.

The BMW-Toyota synergy is the envy of the German car industry.

From: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?p=18311087#post18311087

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This is a jointly developed architecture based upon BMWs new modular matrix CLAR. It is developed intentionally for Sports cars, the difference here is that both companies have pooled resources to provide an exciting mix of lightweight material technology. Both BMW and Toyota are proficient in the manufacturing of CFRP to a high degree.

The car will be advanced like an i8 and again cost less than you would expect it to.

We will NOT see it in a Camry or any other Toyota. The only other road car a joint BMW-Toyota platform will be shared with is a MINI.

From: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?p=18316995#post18316995

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The pricing sounds like it will be very competitive for what the car brings, and it will be advanced, but what bothers me is he says the car is being built on a platform based on BMW's CLAR platform. That's what platform used for the newest 7 series coming out which has composite construction featuring CFRP, ultra-high-tensile steels and aluminum. Sounds great and all but it only saved 200 pounds on the 7 series and isn't full carbon fiber like the i8 or i3 like I hoped it would be.