[Jason]

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More BMW supercar rumors: mid-engine supercar project with Toyota?

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The BMW supercar rumor mill continues to churn. Just as BMW dispels the BMW-Mclaren supercar rumor, another report now claims that BMW and Toyota are collaborating on a mid-engine supercar.

Car and Driver claims that in addition to the project which will spawn a next-gen Z4 and Supra successor, BMW and Toyota have already created a mid-engined AWD prototype, featuring carbon fiber tub and aluminum frame. Electric motors drive the front wheels, like the NSX.

This project would give Lexus an LFA successor and BMW a competitor to the Audi R8. “BMW is getting trounced in the PR war of words in Germany, with Audi saying that BMW does not have a supercar whereas Audi does,” says a source close to Lexus. BMW wants to change that, with Toyota’s help.

Car and Driver's source claims that there are two power units currently under development. BMW's supercar would use a bespoke, M-developed twin-turbo straight-six paired with plug-in-hybrid technology from Toyota. Toyota is testing a detuned version of its Le Mans TS040 race car's 520-hp, 3.7L V8 for the Lexus version of the supercar. And with the 480 horsepower produced by the front and rear motors, the total power output would reach the magic number of 1000. The source says, however, that “while 1000 horsepower is possible, fuel consumption, emissions concerns, and engine-tolerance figures will see a more realistic target figure of 800 horsepower.”

The caveat is that a business case must still be made for the collaboration. The LFA successor and R8 rival would need to carry a sticker price of around $200,000. If made, it's suggested that the supercars would arrive in 2020.

Until there's more confirmation, we'll file this in the 'yet another BMW supercar rumor' bin, especially considering BMW's latest insistence that "we have shown how strong we are with electric boosting for performance and efficiency, plus we still have a great V8 engine here. What would we need McLaren to do for us?” Toyota's hybrid technology seems to be the major take-away of the rumored collaboration with Toyota, but it appears that BMW is plenty confident in their own electric boosting abilities.

[Ove]

If Bmw where to make a supercar i'd much rather see them do it themselves, then with the help of Toyota/Lexus.

[Law]

These rumors are getting quite old.
Tomorrow we'll see a post titled "BMW M boss denies rumors of BMW - Toyota supercar"

[1LegitM235i]

Originally Posted by Law

These rumors are getting quite old.
Tomorrow we'll see a post titled "BMW M boss denies rumors of BMW - Toyota supercar"

[Needbmwpartzz]

Originally Posted by Law

These rumors are getting quite old.
Tomorrow we'll see a post titled "BMW M boss denies rumors of BMW - Toyota supercar"

Or how about a bmw/Hyundai partnership announced by the ceo...... Haha just when you thought you could trust the rumour mill.....even announced plans can be tentative.

[goj]

I think the Z4/Supra collaboration is more than enough involvement with Toyota.

Do it yourself BMW! You have the capabilities!

[Nkc]

You (bmw) keep posting these miraculous monthly sales figures but don't got the dough and resources and most importantly the balls to create your own supercar? You got the hybrid tech from the i8, you got the whole carbon fibre manufacturing locked down, you even got one of the so called "best" engines out there, so what's holding you back? Oh yeah profits. Better keep the M division occupied with SUVs. Toyota/subaru makes sense, bmw/Toyota not so much.

[Niko ZV]

Originally Posted by Ove

If Bmw where to make a supercar i'd much rather see them do it themselves, then with the help of Toyota/Lexus.

+1

[KSERGEI-BY]

Originally Posted by goj

I think the Z4/Supra collaboration is more than enough involvement with Toyota.

Do it yourself BMW! You have the capabilities!

Let me remind you they actually NEVER done it alone
Nowadays, accountants runs BMW. They know how to sell a 318 with the 3cyl engine.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Originally Posted by KSERGEI-BY

Let me remind you they actually NEVER done it alone
Nowadays, accountants runs BMW. They know how to sell a 318 with the 3cyl engine.

+1

The bottom line goes like this....
If it doesn't make dollars it don't make sense.

[David70]

Is the R8 a "Supercar"?

From the article -

This project would give Lexus an LFA successor and BMW a competitor to the Audi R8

[JNoSol]

What does BMW get out of this with Toyota? BMW is capable of making a mid engine super car on their own. Engaging Toyota would only taint the soul and passion of BMWs.

Now McLaren would make more sense, they have a lot of success with their car's performance but lack the BMW design touch (new McLaren aren't lookers). The McLaren F1 was powered by BMW, greatest car ever made.

[Diver]

Originally Posted by David70

Is the R8 a "Supercar"?

From the article -

What's a supercar? A Z06 is almost as fast as a 918. An R8 might not be a 918, but it is a lot of car.

[FilipMPower]

Not happening. The i8 is the halo car, and there won't be an upgraded i8 or i8s, and definitely not a separate super car, for at least 5-6 years. Sure, the i8 might get a power bump when its LCI is unveiled, but Van Meel said it himself, the i8 is the halo car and that wont change during its life cycle.

Edit: Wont happen with toyota either, Van Meel also said that M is perfectly capable at making their own supercar.

[kprocivic]

Originally Posted by David70

Is the R8 a "Supercar"?

From the article -

Such a great question. I'm not sure if the early gens were, they are now though. Someone mentioned the zo6, I'll even throw in the gtr I call them super car killers.

[FilipMPower]

Originally Posted by David70

Is the R8 a "Supercar"?

From the article -

The first gen, especially the V8, hell no. Sports car. The V10 might push the supercar boundary though.

The 2nd gen V10 cars, definitely supercars in my book, compete with ferrari, lamborghini (same car anyway) and mclaren. Does it compete successfully? Probably not. Still Supercar.

[YungDro]

thread closed....

[raysspl]

At this point, I'm just like

[techwhiz]

Originally Posted by FilipMPower

The first gen, especially the V8, hell no. Sports car. The V10 might push the supercar boundary though.

The 2nd gen V10 cars, definitely supercars in my book, compete with ferrari, lamborghini (same car anyway) and mclaren. Does it compete successfully? Probably not. Still Supercar.

This

[IS3andME]

Originally Posted by FilipMPower

Not happening. The i8 is the halo car, and there won't be an upgraded i8 or i8s, and definitely not a separate super car, for at least 5-6 years. Sure, the i8 might get a power bump when its LCI is unveiled, but Van Meel said it himself, the i8 is the halo car and that wont change during its life cycle.

Edit: Wont happen with toyota either, Van Meel also said that M is perfectly capable at making their own supercar.

So capable that BMW won't unleash M Division to do so. Whereas AMG is on it's second sports/Supercar, and apparently readying a hypercar of its own.
And M Division is frustrated that it is not allowed to make a stand alone super/hyper car. BMW should just allow them to do something, just once. Even though it may not make money. Look at all the cars Piech had VAG do, and some are well known, but VAG lost money on each one sold. Example, The Bugatti Veyron.

[aajami]

"Toyota is testing a detuned version of its Le Mans TS040 race car's 520-hp, 3.7L V8 for the Lexus version of the supercar."

Sign me the hell up.

[chipotle_napkins]

I'm just done. I won't believe anything now unless its official

BMW is so unpredictable.

"BMW planning to make a 70hp segway"
"Head of BMW has canceled plans for segway. Focusing on a quad turbo soccer mom van"