Today, a new set of spy photos have emerged, possibly confirming that the new Toyota Supra will have a hybrid option as well as be an all-wheel drive. The spy photos emerged just weeks after we saw the first spy shots of the new BMW Z5, which the new Supra shares its platform with.

Spy Photos Emerge

From what we have seen, thanks to the images of test cars hunted to date, the new Supra will feature a coupe body type with a long hood where mechanical front and rear cuts are placed, which reminds us of the traditional silhouette that the Toyota Supra has sported in years. The wheels are found very near the corners leaving a short front overhang, the rear being even lower, making this setup perfect for an all-wheel-drive vehicle.

Although these test cars were heavily camouflaged there are certain features that can be attributed to the prototype FT-1 with provisional optical elements and the strange central bulge in the nose.

As for the available engines, we know the new Supra might have a 6-cylinder BMW engine. It is the highest version which would have a hybrid scheme based on the 6-cylinder engine and would be supported by two electric motors. Theoretically, if the Toyota Supra will be an all-wheel drive, the combustion engine would drive the rear wheels, while two electric powertrains would couple to the front axle. This hybrid version would be the most powerful of the range and may be hovering around 500hp. Watch out!

Supra Had Been Missed

The Toyota Supra ceased production in 2002, although it had actually disappeared from most markets in the late nineties. The void left in the range was insurmountable for fans who have not forgotten the Japanese sports car. Not even the arrival of carbon fiber supercars from Lexus could not fill the gap left by the beloved tuner of Toyota.

Since the beginning of this decade and especially since the introduction of the project that would culminate in the Toyota GT 86, the name Supra has been present constantly in the media, generating rumors and news every so often. The introduction in 2014 of the Toyota FT-1 concept resulted in a media bombshell, because it only foreshadowed a sport similar to extinct Supra, Toyota was also forced to admit that yes, they are bringing back the Supra as it has been missed.

BMW Partnership

The current project that will bring the Toyota Supra was announced as a joint venture between Toyota and BMW. This project includes the design and development of joint platforms that would benefit from BMW 's own mechanics and all the know-how of Toyota regarding hybrid type thrusters.

In this case, the project will also build the successor of the BMW Z4, already known as Z5 and will be presented in roadster format during 2018, and should be the relief of the Supra, which should come only months after the BMW. The development of these models is taking place in Europe, under the guidance of BMW.

The all new Toyota Supra is in its final testing phases but do not expect it to arrive before 2018. Prior to the Supra, Toyota will unveil a new concept that will show us the definite model of the Supra and this is expected to be presented in one of the last major events of this year which could be at the Los Angeles Motor Show or Tokyo Motor Show.

Engines expected are a four And a six cylinder but with exclusive output unique to this car which assists the less is more philosophy from BMWi.

The Toyota will offer a hybrid and it not unthinkable BMW might do so later.

We've snapped Toyota's next-gen Supra testing on the road as Toyota sources suggest it'll get a hybrid powertrain

Senior Toyota sources have given the strongest hint yet that the company’s new Toyota Supra sports car could feature hybrid power.

The new Toyota Supra is likely to sit above the GT86 when it arrives in 2018 and is being developed in conjunction with BMW’s next generation of Z4. The cooperation between the two companies is said to have focused on chassis development, so engine and transmission choices will likely differ and that's where the possibility of a Toyota petrol/electric hybrid engine comes in.

When asked if Toyota’s quest to have a hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicle in every market sector would extend to sports cars,Toyota Europe president and CEO Johan van Zyl said: “I would imagine that in the future that will definitely happen." “We already have some sporting models with hybrid powertrains on the Lexus side. But on the Toyota side, I think we will find that if we can have a World Endurance Championship racing car with hybrid technology, it can happen on a road car.”

He added: “I do not have any doubt whatsoever that in the longer-term future there will be a real Toyota sports model using electrification.”

The rumour mill has been stirring for years, but Toyota's new Supra is finally nearing the showrooms. The hybrid sports car has been pictured undergoing testing in disguise with the images giving us a clear view of of its coupe shape.

An enthusiast's favourite, the last Supra went out of production in 2002, so the return of the iconic name is big news. Earlier this year we learnt that Toyota and BMW were to partner up and develop an all-new sports car together, which would become both the new Supra and the replacement for the Z4.

It was first believed that the styling of the new Supra would be heavily inspired by the Toyota FT-1 supercar, but these camouflaged spy images show a toned-down design. Still, it looks shorter than the prototypes of the Z4 test cars we've seen so far.

A long bonnet features a front bumper jutting out from beneath the headlights, while a sculpted rear-end is clearly evident. This test mule also features a hard-top rather than the Z4's fabric roof, and it's believed that the Supra will be strictly offered only as a coupe.

Earlier in 2016, Toyota made new trademark applications in Europe and the US for the Supra name, casting a fresh spotlight on the project. BMW and Toyota announced their joint venture all the way back in 2011 – declaring hydrogen fuel cells, shared battery tech and a new sports car platform were included in the deal.

While the BMW Z4 and new Supra will take advantage of the shared technology, the Supra will likely be the bigger car of the two. That will allow the Supra to sit above the GT86 model that's already a key part of the Toyota line-up, and offer much more in terms of performance.

Rumours suggest the new Supra will come fitted with a straight-six engine from BMW's powertrain stable, forgoing the four-cylinder engines of lesser Z4s. Whatever the engine the Supra's ace card should come in the form of hybrid-electric tech to boost performance.

It's likely that the Toyota hybrid tech will have much in common with its Le Mans race cars. The new sports car will use electric motors on the front and rear axle, with a petrol engine driving the rear wheels. Electric power will come from regenerative braking, and will be stored in a lithium ion battery. This will allow both brands to eventually offer plug-in hybrid versions of their new sports cars.

Interestingly, the system will implement Toyota’s first-ever dual-clutch transmission, in place of the CVT gearboxes we’re accustomed to in existing Toyota and Lexus hybrids.

By designing the motors in-house, and taking advantage of BMW’s carbon-fibre reinforce plastic weight-saving methods, Toyota is thought to be targeting a kerbweight of less than 1,400kg. However, it’s expected that the BMW will be the lighter of the two models. Both cars are expected to debut only a few months apart, but expect the Z4 to break cover first at the end of 2017.