Lexus Could Get Its Own Version Of Toyota GR’s Next Sports Coupe

The GR Supra is nearing the end of its seven-year run, but fear not, as Toyota officials have already confirmed that a new generation is on the way. While there’s plenty of speculation about what form it could take, including the possibility of a hybrid powertrain, some intriguing, though not entirely unexpected, news has surfaced from Japan.

Apparently, the next Supra might be developed alongside a Lexus model, which could add an interesting twist to the brand’s luxury sports car lineup.

More: Lexus Kills Off The RC And RC F Coupes After 11 Years

Toyota’s luxury arm, might be looking to fill the void left by the soon-to-be-discontinued RC and the aging LC grand tourer, which has been around since 2017. This could be the perfect opportunity for a new, low-slung, Supra-sized coupe to take its place. We’re talking two doors, a 2+2 seating layout, and all the performance and style you’d expect from a car in this segment.

Not The First Supra-Based Lexus

If these rumors from Japanese media outlet Best Car hold water, this wouldn’t be the first time Lexus has borrowed from the Supra’s blueprint. Back in the early ’90s, the A80 Supra shared its underpinnings with the Toyota Soarer and the Lexus SC, which were both grand tourers in their own right. It’ll be interesting to see if the new model revives the SC nameplate, or if Lexus opts for something fresh, leaving the past where it belongs.

While it’s too early to dive into design details, the Lexus model would likely feature a distinct design to differentiate itself from the Supra. It could borrow some styling cues from the Electrified Sport Concept that debuted in 2021, though with more restrained proportions and updated features. Since it’ll carry the Lexus badge, it will also need to offer more luxury than its Toyota counterpart to justify the higher price tag.

Hybrid Setup Makes Sense – Unless They Go With Mazda’s Six

Lexus Electrified Sport Coupe Concept from 2021

The latest reports suggest the next Supra will ditch its BMW Z4-sourced platform in favor of something new and Japanese. In terms of powertrain, the most likely option is Toyota’s newly developed turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combined with a self-charging hybrid system.

Given Toyota’s extensive experience with hybrid tech, this seems like a no-brainer. Power would likely be sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed or ten-speed automatic transmission, possibly paired with a carbon fiber propeller shaft for good measure.

As for the Lexus version, it’s safe to assume it’ll be nearly identical under the skin to the Toyota, though engineers may tweak the suspension to give it more of a grand tourer feel.

More: See The Two Final GR Supras Europe Is Getting

And then there’s that wild rumor floating around about Toyota possibly using a Mazda-sourced inline-six engine in the next Supra. Some reports even suggested that Mazda might develop a Supra-based car as a spiritual successor to the discontinued RX-7. Let’s just say this is all a bit too speculative for comfort. When it comes to future models, the rumor mill is as unpredictable as a Netflix cancellation, so it’s probably best not to get too carried away just yet.

When Can We Expect the Next Supra?

Toyota hasn’t given an official timeline for the debut of the next-generation Supra, but some industry insiders predict it’ll make its debut in 2026 or 2027. If that’s the case, then a Lexus variant could follow shortly after.

More: Toyota Just Confirmed The Supra’s Fate But Left Out The Juiciest Part

If Toyota’s North American execs are to be believed, the gap between the current and next-gen models won’t be as long as the 17-year hiatus between the fourth and fifth generations, so thankfully, we won’t have to wait that long this time around to find out.