Is the Toyota Supra Saying Goodbye? Here's What We Know

Remember all that hype for the return of the legendary Toyota Supra? Buckle up, because according to a recent report, we might only have two more years to enjoy this modern incarnation.

Here's the story: the joint project between Toyota and BMW that birthed both the Supra and its Bavarian cousin, the Z4, seems to be nearing its end. Production for both vehicles at Magna Steyr in Austria is reportedly slated to conclude in 2026, with no clear successor in sight.

While BMW hasn't exactly kept their Z4 plans a secret – recently extending production and adding a manual transmission option – rumors suggest this might be the final curtain call for the Z4 as we know it. BMW hasn't publicly hinted at a future replacement.

But what about the Supra? Toyota remains tight-lipped, offering a simple "no comment" through their representatives. The question then becomes: can Toyota keep the Supra aloft without BMW's engineering wings? A solo Supra would require a whole new chassis and engine, a hefty investment that might not make financial sense considering sales have dipped by 50% this year. However, a glimmer of hope remains. Toyota Group Vice President Dave Christ hinted that the company can "figure out how to build" a car if they truly want to, according to Automotive News.

However, there's a flicker of hope. As quoted by Automotive News, Toyota group vice president Dave Christ remains optimistic: "I think if we want to build something, we'll figure out how to build it."

The Supra, along with many recent Toyota sports cars, was championed by former CEO Akio Toyoda. With his departure, the focus might shift towards more practical considerations. Toyota's GR performance division already offers a variety of enthusiast-oriented options, and the Supra's relatively low sales volume (just 24,022 units sold in the US since 2019 compared to a staggering 30,323 Camrys sold in just March 2024) might make a heavy investment difficult to justify.

While the current Supra borrows heavily from BMW (chassis, engine, and even some interior elements), it's undeniably a fantastic sports car with a head-turning design. Hopefully, this isn't the end of the road for the Supra nameplate. Perhaps Toyota can find a new partner to share the development burden and keep this automotive legend alive.