Toyota-Suzuki joint sports car venture looks strangely familiar

When two Japanese carmakers collaborate, the result is largely expected to reflect their nationality, at the very least. In the case of Toyota and Suzuki, the outcome looks something like one might see sporting an Italian badge.  

Toyota and Suzuki are working on the third sports car that will join the 86 and Supra [Image: Best Car Web]  

It’s so striking, Japanese automotive magazine Best Car Web opted to feature it front and center on the cover of its latest issue. This is the new, resurrected Toyota MR2. Okay, allow us to rephrase that. This could be the new, resurrected MR2, but only if Toyota gets its way. 

The design looks familiar to say the least, seemingly lifted out of a page from Lamborghini’s book with the wedge-shaped silhouette, low-slung stance, and prominent nacelles on the profile. It will reportedly be underpinned by a mid-engine platform newly developed by Suzuki, which is also supplying the 1.0-liter engine under the hood. 

The design easily draws comparisons with those by Lamborghini

Toyota boss Akio Toyoda made no secret of his wish to approach the sports car category with a triumvirate of its legendary performance models from the 1990s. The first two have already arrived in the form of the 86 and the Supra, both of which emerged from joint ventures with Subaru and BMW, respectively. 

Supposedly completing the “Three Brothers” equation (coined by Toyota Gazoo Racing chief Tetsuya Tada) is the MR2, Japan’s first rear mid-engined production car which spanned three generations from 1984 until bowing out of the limelight in 2007. Iconic performance brand Lotus and German marque Porsche were both rumored to be attached to the project, but nothing came out of it.   

As the third partner in the project, Daihatsu brings its racing background as well as experience in producing small cars

Apart from Suzuki, the third partner in the current MR2 revival project is Daihatsu. Toyota owns a stake in both carmakers, which are expected to lend their expertise in designing Kei cars. Suzuki in particular brings experience with performance models under its belt such as the Swift Sport, Cappucino, and the Autozam AZ-1 from its alliance with Mazda.    

The as-yet unnamed sports car is said to be scheduled for a 2025 debut. Despite the prominent T badge on the image renders, it has been suggested that the new model will be marketed as a Daihatsu. It should sound funny, except for the fact that the company did have a racing background before being bought out by Toyota.  

Find more news on automotive partnerships at Philkotse.com.