Automotive
Toyota is preparing to take the Supra in a daring recent direction, and it’s a move which may rattle purists while still holding the potential to silence them with raw performance. In line with recent reports out of Japan, the next-generation Supra will now not depend on BMW’s engines and as a substitute will go fully Toyota, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid setup expected to make around 400 horsepower.
For a lot of enthusiasts, the name “Supra” carries weight. It calls to mind the legendary A80 Supra of the Nineties, a automotive that earned a cult following due to its indestructible 2JZ-GTE inline-six and tunability that bordered on the absurd. When the Supra returned in 2019 after a 17-year hiatus, excitement was tempered by controversy. Toyota partnered with BMW to develop the fifth-gen GR Supra, sharing its bones and engines with the BMW Z4. For some, this “Zupra” arrangement diluted the automotive’s identity, regardless that the top result was a dynamically sharp and thoroughly enjoyable sports automotive.
Now, as the present GR Supra prepares to bow out by 2026, Toyota appears able to reclaim full ownership of the nameplate. Reports from Japanese magazine Best Automobile, echoed by Forbes, claim the all-new Supra set for a late 2027 debut will ditch the BMW powertrain in favor of a totally Toyota-developed engine. Specifically, a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four paired with hybrid assist that would put out around 400 horsepower in production trim. In test mules, that figure may already be reality.
To the die-hard Supra fanbase, the thought of a four-cylinder Supra—even a high-output hybrid—might sound like blasphemy. In any case, the Supra has all the time been related to six-cylinder engines, from the inline-six in the unique 1979 model to the enduring 2JZ of the ’90s. But Toyota’s track record with hybrid technology shouldn’t be underestimated. From the Prius to Le Mans, they’ve proven they know the way to do electrification right. In the event that they manage to inject a few of that race-bred hybrid expertise into the following Supra, we might be a compact powerhouse that keeps up with far pricier machinery.
The engine rumored to take center stage is Toyota’s G20E—a red-topped 2.0-liter that’s already been teased in concepts just like the GR Yaris M, where it made upwards of 435 horsepower. And that was without hybrid assistance. Add a bigger turbo and a few electric torque-fill, and suddenly 600 horsepower isn’t out of the query. Toyota engineers have even noted that the block has room to grow, with space between the cylinders to permit for boring out the displacement. That’s not only future-proofing—it’s a blueprint for something genuinely potent.
Still, not everyone shall be sold. There’s speculation of a possible straight-six option, possibly sourced from Mazda’s e-SkyActiv G platform, though that’s said to be unlikely. With most automakers downsizing for emissions and efficiency, and even Mazda replacing its six-cylinder with the upcoming SkyActiv-Z four-pot, it’s clear where the industry is heading. A lighter, more agile Supra with hybrid punch is perhaps a greater fit for the times—even when it ruffles some feathers.
Let’s not forget that when the R35 GT-R launched, it faced criticism for abandoning Nissan’s historic inline-six in favor of a V6. Yet that automotive went on to dominate for over a decade. The Supra could follow the same path, especially if Toyota leans into what it does best: delivering performance through revolutionary engineering, not only nostalgia.
What’s most fun here is the shift toward independence. By constructing the following Supra without BMW’s help, Toyota has the possibility to win back those that never fully embraced the present model. If the brand new automotive manages to deliver thrilling dynamics, brutal acceleration, and that unique Toyota character, it won’t matter what number of cylinders are under the hood. The truth is, it would just redefine what a contemporary Japanese sports automotive might be.
In a world where performance cars are increasingly rare and infrequently out of reach, a turbo-hybrid Supra with Toyota DNA might be exactly what enthusiasts didn’t know they needed.
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Darryl Taylor Dowe is a seasoned automotive skilled with a proven track record of leading successful ventures and providing strategic consultation across the automotive industry. With years of hands-on experience in each business operations and market development, Darryl has played a key role in helping automotive brands grow and adapt in a rapidly evolving landscape. His insight and leadership have earned him recognition as a trusted expert, and his contributions to Automotive Addicts reflect his deep knowledge and fervour for the business side of the automotive world.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
