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In the past, Toyota has teamed up with Subaru to build the GR86 and BRZ, and more recently the brand’s first-ever electric SUVs, while a BMW collaboration has given rise to the Supra and Z4. According to a report in Japan’s biggest-selling magazine, Best Car, Japan’s No 1 carmaker is joining forces with small car experts Suzuki and Daihatsu to build a compact sports car.
Although Toyota can still produce its own in-house sports cars, like the recently released GR Yaris and GR Corolla, the consensus is that collaboration is the way forward if you build a cost-effective sports car.
So to realize the goal of creating a viable two-door, Toyota will lend its GA-B platform used on the GR Yaris while Suzuki will donate its turbocharged, 3-cylinder 1.0-liter gasoline engine to the process. However, as Suzuki fitted its turbo powerplant to drive the front wheels of its Swift Turbo model, the engine will have to be switched to a rear-drive, mid-engine configuration for the new 3-company project to deliver the best handling possible.
So to realize the goal of creating a viable two-door, Toyota will lend its GA-B platform used on the GR Yaris while Suzuki will donate its turbocharged, 3-cylinder 1.0-liter gasoline engine to the process. However, as Suzuki fitted its turbo powerplant to drive the front wheels of its Swift Turbo model, the engine will have to be switched to a rear-drive, mid-engine configuration for the new 3-company project to deliver the best handling possible.
As seen in the attached image, the joint project will have an overall mid-engined layout with short overhangs, sleek lines and a side air intake to feed air into the engine bay.
As with all co-developed cars such as the GR86 and BRZ, which employ the same platform, suspension, and powertrain, the only room for differentiation falls to the aesthetics department, and of course some minor suspension enhancements. While we can expect each carmaker to adopt the same basic exterior and interior designs, we can look forward to seeing them tweak their styling to add uniqueness and flair.
