New Supra and Z4 will share platforms

[dsubrosa]

Rumors about heavy carbon fiber use in the FT-1 would make this pretty logical that BMW is spearheading the platform development. Just stay out of the inside of the hood eh?

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[daboss]

Toyota will use BMW's chassis with their CF expertise and BMW will use one of toyota's superior engines. maybe something similar to the turbo V6 in the GT-R.

 

[divinesteer]

Update: Well, that didn't take long -- Toyota tells us that the driver in the above video was "not an official representative of Toyota," noting that he does "not have the authority to speak on behalf of Toyota" and that he was "probably just reiterating what he's heard" in other automotive publications. Toyota's rep added that there are "no surprises" on the North American auto show circuit this year. We remain hopeful that there's a new Supra in the works, and we'll be sure to bring you any news as it becomes available.

We’ve been hearing about a supposed Toyota/BMW hybrid sports car partnership for quite a while now, and drooling over the Toyota FT-1 concept -- perhaps the starting point for a revival of the legendary Supra name -- for months now.

The above video seems to confirm both the BMW partnership and the hot Toyota.The video shows an otherwise standard hot lap in a Lexus RC F -- until the topic of Supras comes up. That’s where it gets interesting.

“When that new Supra comes out, that should be pretty neat,” states the driver, casually confirming what we’ve all been hoping for since the Detroit auto show debut of the FT-1 concept.

Other details we gleaned from the brief exchange, which starts at about the 2:10 mark in the video:

-The car will have a “BMW chassis, so it should be pretty good.”

-And “I hear that they’re gonna use the [upcoming new] Z4 frame.”

We've contacted Toyota representatives to substantiate the claims made in the clip, but at this point all they're saying is that "nothing is on our auto show calendar any time soon, at least not in the United States." However, the details jibe with what has been rumored for several years -- and who would know better about upcoming Toyota/Lexus product than an official test driver, anyway [update: Toyota claims the driver was hired for the event and is not an official driver for the automaker]?

Autonews contacted Toyota and they debunked the rumor. Make of it what you will...

 

[EvoX]

I missed the video

 

[supraninja]

Interesting this was from a RC-F and M4 event. Anyone else thinking this could be some kind of joint study that might indirectly relate to the FT-1?

I doubt it. Probably just benchmarking

 

[supraninja]

My guess is the BMW chassis is real, whether or not the driver actually knew what he was talking about. The rest of it sounds like he was just regurgitating rumors that we have all heard around the interwebz.

 

[Mr. M]

Sucks that there's no surprises for any of the US shows but that still leaves open the possibility of Europe/Asia.

 

[Faxanadu]

Then that leaves Geneva in march, Frankfurt in Sept and Tokyo n Oct.

We can leave out Frankfurt since there is no way one month apart they would show it there over Tokyo. . . therefore I think we're looking at Oct 2015 boys.

 

[Boomshakalaka]

Toyota will use BMW's chassis with their CF expertise and BMW will use one of toyota's superior engines. maybe something similar to the turbo V6 in the GT-R.

This. The i8 could be a preview of things to come for the Supra. A CF chassis coming in around 3200 pounds and 450+ hp would be killer.

 

[FT1freddy]

Just read some possible great news for MKV Supra's weight, a hot topic around here.

Car Magazine article claims that the next 6 series will drop 500 pounds by way of its platform constructed from carbon fiber and exotic materials . Obviously possibly great news for the Supra since Toyota's developing a platform together with BMW.

The next-generation BMW 6-series and M6 are being given a sharper focus to become proper Porsche rivals when they launch in 2017, the new issue of CAR magazine reveals.

Today’s 6-series - in coupe, cabriolet and Gran Coupe four-door form - are powerful grand tourers that feel more at home on the autobahn than on winding B-roads. But there’s an awareness in Munich that the cars are pretty to look at but overweight, inadequately packaged and relatively soft-edged.

These drawbacks must and will be addressed. See more of this story - and news of the more powerful BMW i8S - in the latest December 2014 issue of CAR magazine. Click here for a free preview.

BMW 6-series (2017): what’s new on G15
Chairman Norbert Reithofer has promised a proper Porsche fighter and a car worthy of the brand’s DTM laurels, CAR hears.

Once again, there will be three different bodystyles from 2017: the 6-series coupe (G15), 6-series cabriolet (G14) and 6-series Gran Coupe (G16).

While the Gran Coupe gets a longer wheelbase for a more spacious interior

, the other two 6-series variants will actually come down in size. This will help BMW’s ambitious weight-saving efforts, said to shave about 200 kilos off the grand total.

While the new 640i Coupe will likely tip the scales at around 1560kg, the corresponding soft-top is expected to check out of the calorie counter at 1700 kilos. Hardly a bantamweight, then…

A new architecture for the new 6-series
All future 6-series derivatives are based on an advanced modular architecture which used to be known internally as 35up for 3-series, 5-series and bigger. This matrix has recently been renamed CLAR, which is short for cluster architecture.

The new acronym was chosen to stress the extra flexibility provided by fewer but more versatile submodules (clusters) which are more extensively adjustable in content, size and adaptability.

CLAR also stands for a more advanced material mix which introduces some carbon fibre elements, additional high-strength steel sections, selected magnesium and titanium accents, and a broader variety of aluminium alloys. Result? Lighter weight - and a lower centre of gravity, as the weight can be positioned carefully around the structure.

In combination with shorter overhangs and a wider track, this should make the high-end two-door models notably more agile and inspiring, engineers hope. In addition to air breathers, air curtains and downforce-enhancing front and rear air blades, insiders are predicting an active

aero kit which would be standard on the M6 and optional on the rest of the range.

Engines in the new BMW 6-series (2017)
It is clear that the Bavarian Motor Works will continue to put a strong emphasis on the evolution of the legendary straight six, codenamed B57, B58 and S55. Motors already confirmed to CAR include:

BMW 640i 3.0-litre in-line six (B58) 347bhp
BMW 640d 3.0-litre in-line six (B57) 333bhp
BMW 650i 4.4-litre V8

476bhp
BMW M6 4.4-litre V8 bi-turbo 600bhp

Four-wheel drive xDrive models will be offered across the board, but a hybrid is at this point not pencilled in.

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Secret...ew-Six-codenamed-G15-is-lighter-and-sportier/

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[JJR]

Wow 500 pounds! I can't remember hearing of that type of weight losss from one generation to another for any recent car.

Definitely encouraging news for FT-1. Good find.

 

[Craigy]

Thanks for sharing!!

For what it's worth, the 6 series starts in the high 70s, realistically every 6 series is an $80-90k car on up to over $100k. So it is possible this car could be getting stuff that won't be happening in BMW's sportscars (such as upcoming Z4 / Z5 which will supposedly share a platform with FT1), etc. Almost all of the reports/rumors suggest that the Toyota/BMW platform is supposed to be a sportscar platform, which the 6 series is not really fitting. Could the 35up CLAR be similar?

Nevertheless, if Supra is going to get a CFRP or CLAR type platform, this news means that it could translate to a 300-400 lb weight savings over conventional architecture. The article mocks a 1560kg (3,440 lb) 640i as "hardly a bantamweight" but in reality that's less than the current M4, which would be very shockingly little weight for a 6 series which typically crack 4,000 lbs.

That realistically places the Supra in legitimate sub-3,000 lb territory which would be incredible.

 

[910ps]

Incredible figure. If this ends up being accurate, Toyota and BMW competitors should be scared. That's a huge % of weight lopped off. My anticipation level for the Supra specs just went up more!

 

[black-supra]

Liked! Toyota's decision to team up with bmw is sounding better and better. The timing sounds about the same as for the Supra too. We could very well be reading details of the Supra's chassis.

 

[Big George]

Thanks for sharing!!

For what it's worth, the 6 series starts in the high 70s, realistically every 6 series is an $80-90k car on up to over $100k. So it is possible this car could be getting stuff that won't be happening in BMW's sportscars (such as upcoming Z4 / Z5 which will supposedly share a platform with FT1), etc. Almost all of the reports/rumors suggest that the Toyota/BMW platform is supposed to be a sportscar platform, which the 6 series is not really fitting. Could the 35up CLAR be similar?

Good point about the price but lots of the 6 series price must be the luxury and technology amenities since it sits pretty high up in the BMW heirarchy?

Also the article says that it's a modular platform, which the Toyota-BMW platform is supposed to be. Article also says it's for 3-series and higher sized cars, so seems like this platform can be scaled down in size for the mid-sized 3 series. And it also uses carbon fiber as a material. So... could this possibly be the same platform that BMW and Toyota are developing together? Modular - check, carbon fiber - check, mid-sized - check.

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