Recent automotive news has been buzzing with speculation around future Lexus coupes, and new reports suggest a surprising twist: a Lexus coupe might be in development alongside the highly anticipated next-generation Toyota Supra, with a potential release in 2026. This co-development could mark an exciting return to form for both Toyota and Lexus sports car lineups.
According to Japanese automotive publication Best Car, the upcoming Toyota Supra, internally known as the “A100,” is expected to break away from its current partnership with BMW. This means the new Supra is poised to be a fully in-house Toyota project, engineered and manufactured by Toyota themselves. This shift is significant for Supra enthusiasts who have long desired a purely Toyota-bred successor to the legendary nameplate.
The powertrain for this new Supra is rumored to be a newly developed 2-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged hybrid engine, offered in different performance tunes. Early design renderings suggest a silhouette that maintains the recognizable proportions of the current generation Supra, hinting at an evolutionary rather than revolutionary design approach. Transmission options are expected to include an advanced 8 or 10-speed automatic, possibly incorporating lightweight carbon fiber components for enhanced performance. The hybrid battery is anticipated to be positioned in the rear, contributing to improved weight distribution and overall vehicle balance, crucial for sports car handling. The timeline points towards a 2026 debut, coinciding with the expected end of production for the current Supra generation.
The connection to Lexus emerges with the speculation that this new Supra platform will also underpin a brand new Lexus coupe. Rumors have been circulating about a Lexus coupe positioned strategically between the RC and LC models, and this new information strongly suggests that this model is indeed on the horizon and intimately linked to the Supra project. Developing these models in tandem makes strategic sense, allowing Toyota and Lexus to share development costs and resources, a common practice observed across both brands’ lineups.
While powertrain details are expected to be similar between the Lexus and Supra variants, a key differentiator is anticipated to be the seating configuration. The Lexus coupe is rumored to adopt a 2+2 seating layout, offering a degree of rear passenger accommodation, while the Supra is expected to remain a focused two-seater sports car. Historically, Toyota and Lexus coupes like the Supra, Soarer, and SC have shared platforms and engineering, fueling hopes that the “SC” nameplate could be revived for this new Lexus coupe, bringing back a beloved moniker from Lexus’s sports coupe heritage.
Source: Best Car
