From the BMW-co-developed Supra to the Subaru-twinned GR86, Toyota is no stranger to sports car collaborations. Now, a new report from Forbes, citing Best Car, suggests another major partnership is in the works: Toyota is reportedly teaming up with Mazda to develop the next-generation GR86 and the Mazda MX-5.
According to the report, Mazda has dispatched a group of its senior engineers to Toyota, and they will use the current ND-generation Mazda MX-5 platform as a starting point for both upcoming sports cars.
However, this partnership will reportedly be different from Toyota’s previous collaborations. Unlike the Supra and GR86—which are mechanically very similar to their BMW Z4 and Subaru BRZ counterparts—the next-generation Toyota GR86 and Mazda MX-5 will be much more distinct from one another.
The GR86 is expected to retain its 2+2 coupe layout, while the MX-5 will keep its classic two-seater roadster configuration, although both cars are slated to be built in Mazda’s plant in Hiroshima.
This isn’t Mazda’s first rodeo when it comes to platform sharing. The company previously worked with Fiat to develop the Fiat 124 Spider, which was essentially a rebodied MX-5 that used a Fiat powertrain but was also assembled alongside the ND-generation MX-5 in Hiroshima.
Reportedly, both the next-gen GR86 and MX-5 will also feature powertrains from their respective companies. The former could utilise an electrified Toyota 2.0-litre inline-four engine, while the MX-5 is rumoured to feature a hybridised Mazda 2.0-litre four-cylinder, with both engines set to deliver around 200 hp.
Mazda’s Chief Technical Officer, Ryuichi Umeshita, has however previously hinted at a different direction. Speaking to Road and Track, Umeshita stated that the all-new MX-5 would feature a 2.5-litre Skyactiv-Z engine with power outputs similar to the current ND model, while also suggesting that his team has been studying the feasibility of both a battery-electric (BEV) and a traditional ICE-powered MX-5 for the future.
With both cars reportedly set to debut around 2028, we’ll have to wait a few more years to see what Toyota and Mazda are cooking up. Still, the near future looks to be a very exciting period for Toyota, as the company has also confirmed it will be reviving the Celica and may even bring back the MR2. That said, no matter what happens, at least we know we’ll still be able to zoom-zoom around in the next-generation Mazda MX-5!
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