Toyota hints at 2019 Supra return with new image

Toyota has revealed a hazy rear image of a 'modern racing concept' to be revealed at the Geneva motor show next month that it says will signal its "commitment to bringing its most iconic sports car back to the market". This is thought to be a reference to a forthcoming new Supra.

The image shows the silhouette of a sizeable rear wing on the back of a highly sculpted sports car. Although the accompanying release, headed "The Legend Returns", makes no reference to the highly anticipated Supra, the concept is likely to be a precursor to the reinvented sports car.

While the Supra, which has been developed in partnership with the BMW Z4, has been spotted several times testing on the roads in camouflage, BMW has already revealed its Z4 concept ahead of a production unveil later this year.

Meanwhile, the new Supra is set to be revealed early next year, five years after the FT-1 concept was shown at the Detroit motor show.

The Supra will be branded Gazoo, the name of the car maker’s Toyota racing arm, Gazoo boss Koei Saga confirmed to Autocar in January last year.

In pictures: the history of the Toyota Supra

With that in mind, the Supra’s full name could be either Toyota Gazoo Supra or Toyota Supra Gazoo.

Toyota is following in the footsteps of many manufacturers that are creating stand-alone brands for their performance divisions, such as Mercedes’ AMG, Audi’s Audi Sport and the recently announced Cupra from Seat.

Toyota Gazoo Racing: what the heck is a Gazoo anyway?

The Japanese car maker has already started its performance-focused drive, launching the Yaris GRMN hot hatch last year. The Supra is expected to top the Gazoo model line-up.

The Supra is set to use a BMW-derived powertrain that will also be used in the Z4: a turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder engine delivering 340bhp. Drive will be channelled through an eight-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox that features steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.