Toyota and Mazda will unite efforts in affordable sports car production, claims Forbes citing its own unofficial sources. The new GR86 and MX-5 models will allegedly be related and made at the same factory, even though the powertrains will be different. Both are expected to reach the market in mid-2028.
According to these reports, Toyota was pleasantly surprised with the handling and performance of Mazda’s recently updated MX-5 platform. While the company agreed to borrow the architecture for its own sports car, it reportedly didn’t want any body style changes. This basically means that the MX-5 will continue to be available in compact coupe and roadster flavors, whereas the GR86 will retain its four-seat cabin. The chassis may have to be stretched a little to accommodate it, Forbes reports.
Most of the design work will be handled by Mazda, while Toyota pledges to provide the financing and technology access.
Neither company has commented on the leak yet. We are told that both cars will be hybrids based on the same 2.0-liter engine, but their horsepower output and other parameters will be different. Both are expected to go in production at the Mazda industrial site in Hiroshima, Japan.
It’s worth pointing out that the previous Toyota GT86 and GR86 generation (see the gallery and the video here) wasn’t developed fully in the house, either. It was co-designed with Subaru, which produced its own sports car called the BRZ. No reasons are being provided for Toyota’s apparent decision to ditch its partnership with Subaru in favor of Mazda. We’ll need to wait for an official announcement of some kind before drawing conclusions.
