Geneva show: Toyota teases Supra racecar

AHEAD of next month’s Geneva motor show, Toyota is teasing a “modern racing concept” which will resurrect “its most iconic sportscar” that is long-rumoured to be the iconic Supra.

With the single teaser image released showing a shadowy rear end, a large, fixed rear spoiler can be glimpsed, as well as a steeply-raked window, double-humped roof and sculpted rear haunches.

Although little else is known about the vehicle, the Japanese car-making giant is saying the show car “will signal Toyota’s commitment” to reviving a seminal sportscar name.

The fifth-generation Supra will be the first to wear the badge since the popular two-door sportscar was discontinued in 2002 after being cemented into popular consciousness by the first Fast and the Furious film.

Although no powertrain options have been revealed, fresh rumours suggest the showroom-ready, rear-drive Supra will kick-off with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing either 145kW or 185kW of power.

A range-topping 3.0-litre force-fed inline six – the same engine configuration as the previous-generation flagship – is said to propel the most powerful Supra, producing 250kW/450Nm with an additional 50Nm available on overboost.

However, it is still to be confirmed if the Supra will receive a high-tech hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive that will enable it to take the fight to the reborn 427kW/646NM Honda NSX and 441kW/652Nm Nissan GT-R Nismo.

The new Supra is being co-developed alongside BMW’s Z4 successor, which will share the same underpinnings but is expected to be offered in convertible form and powered by BMW’s range of 2.0- and 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines.