The automotive world is buzzing with news from Japan suggesting a groundbreaking partnership between Toyota and Mazda to develop the next generation of sports cars. While these two giants have previously joined forces on hybrid technology, recent reports from Japan’s prominent car magazine, Best Car, hint at a much more ambitious and exciting venture: a collaboration on entirely new sports car models. This revelation has certainly turned heads, suggesting Mazda is working on a previously undisclosed sports car project in partnership with Toyota.
Mazda’s Potent 3.3-Liter 6-Cylinder Engine Takes Center Stage
Toyota, known for its successful GR Supra co-developed with BMW, is reportedly considering a significant shift in engine sourcing. Instead of continuing with BMW’s inline 6-cylinder turbo engine for the Supra’s successor, Toyota is eyeing Mazda’s newly developed 3.3-liter 6-cylinder turbo gasoline powertrain. This engine, currently powering models like the Mazda CX-70 and CX-90 in the U.S. market, is particularly appealing to Toyota due to its rear-wheel-drive configuration compatibility. Industry insiders anticipate this engine to deliver around 360 horsepower, placing it squarely in competition with the current Supra’s performance figures.
While Toyota is attracted to Mazda’s engine prowess, Mazda is simultaneously developing its own sports car, leveraging the same rear-drive powertrain. Although a direct 2-door rival to the future Toyota GR Supra is a possibility for Mazda, sources suggest they are leaning towards a more distinctive offering: a 4-door coupe model. This strategic choice, utilizing the same straight-6 engine, aims to broaden the appeal of sports cars, offering customers a choice between Toyota’s traditional 2-door and Mazda’s innovative 4-door coupe. Best Car proposes this approach would enhance market reach by providing a wider spectrum of sports car options.
Mazda’s Sports Car Trio: A New Era of Performance
Mazda, headquartered in Hiroshima, is already known to be developing the 5th generation Miata MX-5 and an innovative rotary-hybrid sports car. The addition of this 6-cylinder powered sports car would complete a compelling trio, solidifying Mazda’s commitment to the sports car segment. While some may debate the classification of a 4-door model as a “sports car,” the shared platform and engine with the next GR Supra firmly position it as a competitor, arguably expanding the conventional definition of a sports car. This perspective appears to be embraced by Mazda, signaling a forward-thinking approach to sports car design and functionality.
Mazda and Toyota’s collaborative journey began in 2017 with a capital alliance, as Toyota acquired a 5.1% stake in Mazda, becoming its third-largest shareholder. This partnership deepened in 2021 with a joint venture at the Huntsville, Alabama plant, where Toyota produces the Corolla Cross and Mazda assembles the CX-50 on the same production line. The depth of this relationship is further exemplified by the Alabama-built CX-50 incorporating Toyota’s acclaimed THS hybrid system, and the Mazda2 hybrid in Europe being based on the Toyota Yaris platform.
Vision Coupe Styling: Inspiration for Mazda’s New Sports Car
Rumors of Toyota-Mazda sports car collaboration first surfaced around 2015, coinciding with Mazda’s unveiling of the stunning rotary-powered RX-Vision concept car, quickly followed by the equally captivating 4-door Vision Coupe concept in 2017. Speculation arose regarding shared platforms and powertrains between these concepts and future production models.
Further fueling these rumors, Toyota revealed the GR GT3 concept at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon, exhibiting striking similarities in proportion to the RX-Vision, intensifying speculation about a shared platform. The anticipated Mazda sports car, slated for a 2027 debut, is expected to draw significant styling cues from the Vision Coupe, likely adapting its length for enhanced practicality in everyday driving scenarios. This blend of concept car aesthetics and real-world usability promises an exciting addition to the New Cars Sports Cars market.
