Like a bad reality show, the figurative clock is ticking for the Toyota/BMW courtship that may or may not be spawning a sports car.
Reuters reported (via Automotive News Europe) that Toyota spokesman said the companies would make a decision on whether to pursue the joint project further.
“By the end of the year we will approve whether or not we will make it,” a Toyota spokesman told Reuters. “The whole study before that, on what kind of platform, on what kind of architecture, that’s been progressing quite well. We haven’t yet decided to give the green light to the project, but it’s coming up.”
The sports car would be only part of the Toyota-BMW courtship. So far, according to the report, the two companies have developed fuel cell technology, lighter weight components for cars and a potential architecture for a sports car.
“They are all on schedule and on track,” said Johan van Zyl, head of Toyota’s European operation.
It’s hard to believe that Toyota and BMW would figuratively fuel the missile if they weren’t ready to fire, so its hard to believe that a jointly developed car wouldn’t come out of the partnership. BMW CFO Friedrich Eichiner even told Reuters that his company was in talks about “intensifying” the partnership, but didn’t give any details.
But the inability of both companies to formally make a marriage out of their 3-year-old tech agreement could indicate hesitation to take to market another two-seater sports car that will sell in limited numbers, and be hopelessly dwarfed by crossovers everywhere.
“It’s hard to believe that Toyota and BMW would figuratively fuel the missile if they weren’t ready to fire”
Don’t fuel the missile if you’re not ready to fire. Words to live by.
If you drive a Trifecta Buick, you likely have too much fuel on your hands. The missile is somewhere to store the fuel you’re producing.
“Don’t fuel the missile if you’re not ready to fire.”
Also, don’t rub the lamp if you don’t want the genie to come out.
You can’t fire the missile unless you go “weapons hot” (arm it). I like the BMW I6 TT, but I hope it is reliable or a Toyoda 3.0 TT will work. 1000HP with stock block is Supra!
Hmmm, that would be a cool idea. Toyota could use the “cool” factor, whilst BMW really needs the reliability factor. (Yup, I’ve made the mistake of owning one.) And, IMHO, both could use some styling help, however.
What they need to do is study it for a couple more years, then produce about 10 concept cars. Then after spending a couple years designing and testing the car, throw it all out for something better. Miss all cost targets, and finally sell an overpriced, overthought yet somehow underwhelming car for each brand, then cancel it after a couple years. Works every time.
Ah, like the SubaYota BR8something, you mean?
This has already been done by both Yota and BMW enthusiasts alike. 2JZ single turbo powered BMW e36 M3. Very cool.
As with the joke about English cooks and German cops, the question is here is whether we’ll get something with Toyota styling and BMW reliability, or vice versa.
BMW: “Wait, you’re not going to make this car a Scion, right?”
Toyota: “Well, we can neither confirm nor deny…”
BMW: “Okay we’ll be in touch.”
As long as it doesn’t morph into a crossover.
I just … why?
My best guess is BMW is in it to learn something about how Toyota achieves quality/durability, and Toyota is in it to learn something about top level performance. Producing a joint vehicle is secondary.