Your dream of an affordable Japanese sports car could become a reality sooner than you think.
Travel back to 1980 with this MGB sports car
Hello Scott from Bartow proudly showing off his peppy burnt orange MGB that has been completely rebuilt inside and out.
Fox – 13 News
- Toyota and Mazda are reportedly collaborating on new sports cars, the GR86 and Miata.
- This partnership could result in some of the best models ever for each Japanese sports car.
Toyota and Mazda currently produce two of the most popular affordable sports cars. What would happen if two Japanese automakers joined forces?
Toyota’s GR86 sports car costs less than $31,000. It’s lightweight, cheaper than the average new car, and fun to drive. Similarly, Mazda produces the Miata, a cheap and fun sports car model that costs less than $30,000. Two Japanese powerhouses are collaborating on a new sports car project that will benefit both companies and consumers.
Toyota and Mazda partner to develop sports car
According to a report in Japan’s Best Car magazine, Toyota and Mazda may be jointly developing the next generation of Toyota GR86 and Mazda MX-5 Miata sports cars. According to Forbes, Mazda’s chief engineers have already been dispatched to Toyota City, a city in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture, to work on a new sports car using the Miata as a “starting point.”
Since its release in 1989, the Mazda Miata has gained tremendous support around the world. Decades later, the affordable roadster has become a sports car staple due to its driving dynamics and accessibility to the average car buyer. Toyota has a reputation for producing sports car models without spending a fortune.
Why the Toyota and Mazda collaboration is exciting for car enthusiasts
Currently, multiple automakers are working together to produce vehicle nameplates that they could not have developed alone. Toyota and Subaru have teamed up on the Toyota bZ and Subaru Solterra electric SUVs. Honda and GM collaborated on the Honda Prologue and Chevrolet Equinox EV. When major automakers work together, they can create highly successful nameplates.
Collaboration doesn’t guarantee success, but Toyota and Mazda aren’t just working on an unknown new car nameplate. They are working on a sports car icon and have the opportunity to further improve it with input from each company.
U.S. News & World Report awarded the Toyota GR86 and Mazda MX-5 Miata scores of over 8.7 out of 10, recognizing them as two of the best new sports cars on the market. Collaboration could solve the shortcomings of both companies and bring them closer to perfection.
What to expect from Toyota and Mazda’s sports car collaboration
It is not clear how the two companies plan to utilize each other’s resources, but given the history of each brand, it is very likely that there will be some changes to both models. Drivers can expect several design tweaks to keep the GR86 and Miata affordable, lightweight, and reliable over time.
Toyota has expertise in producing long-life vehicles and can share design information with Mazda to incorporate longevity elements into the Miata’s design. Another change we can expect is a possible powertrain upgrade.
Toyota and Mazda have increased production of hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles in recent years. The new generation Toyota GR86 and Mazda Miatas may use a mild hybrid powertrain to increase power and improve efficiency by incorporating an electric motor.
The adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applies to these two affordable sports cars, and this collaboration has great potential. One thing consumers can be sure of is that the new sports car jointly developed by Toyota and Mazda will be a fierce competitor in its segment.
