Toyota GR86 Successor Will Underpin Next-Gen Mazda MX-5?

Both the second-gen GR86 (left) and GR Supra sportscar models were spawned through collaboration by Toyota with Subaru and BMW respectively.

Without doubts, Toyota struck the right chords when it chose to partner with Subaru and later BMW to spawn their respective shared sportscar models.

As a refresher, the former spawned the 86/GT86 and second-gen GR86, whilst the latter birthed the GR Supra. Whilst plans for a GR Supra successor remains uncertain, new rumours suggest Toyota may have figured out a new path to create a GR86 successor. 

New rumours have surfaced alleging Toyota will develop a GR86 successor jointly with Mazda and underpin which on the latter' MX-5 Miata(pictured).

Notable here too is who the automaking giant supposedly chose to partner with to create said entry level sports coupe’s successor – Mazda. Fuelling this further is the fact that both Toyota and Mazda have successfully collaborated in the past.

Regarding the latter, we’ll remind you that both firms struck a partnership back in 2015. A capital alliance with cross-shareholding resulted from which, followed by both subsequently sharing vehicles with each other too and more.

The next-gen Mazda MX-5 (Miata) will reportedly ride on a revised version of the current-gen model's platform pictured, with Toyota set to tweak it slightly too.

Now it seems both are set to share a sportscar. That because said rumours indicate that Mazda will develop its fifth-generation MX-5 (Miata) lightweight roadster with Toyota, and the latter will harness its platform for its GR86 successor.

The same source even alleges that Hiroshima-rooted Mazda has already sent a detachment of chief engineers (large project leaders) over to Toyota City in Aichi prefecture to jointly develop both the next-gen MX-5 and GR86 successor.

Current-gen Mazda MX-5 (chassis code: ND) in RF form pictured. The next-gen version is poised to keep its strict two-seater and open-top layout combination.

Production of both models will reportedly be tasked to Mazda at its main Hiroshima production plant. The facility was recently upgraded and re-tooled for increased output capacity thanks to Toyota’s cross-investment noted prior.

What’s unclear still is how far has this rumoured joint development reached. Nonetheless, to keep development costs down, all signs point towards both models riding on a revised version of the current-gen MX-5 (chassis code: ND) platform.

Toyota is instead poised to tweak the MX-5 base slightly to accommodate a 2+2 seating layout and hard-top design, and possibly a new hybrid 2.0-litre powertrain setup with at least 200 PS.

The key difference will be seat layout and body styles. Firstly, the MX-5 is poised to retain its strict two-seater and open-top combination. Instead, Toyota are expected to tweak the chassis slightly to house a 2+2 seating and hard-top layouts.

Both will also employ differing powertrains too, with Mazda appearing set to carry over the current MX-5’s Skyactiv 2.0-litre 4-cyl petrol mill. Toyota looks poised instead to field a new 2.0-litre hybrid setup rated at 200 PS at the very least.

It's unclear still how far has development for both cars reached at this stage, and when they will debut.

Also unclear at this point in when both models will debut. Our best guess would be towards the end of next year (2026) or sometime in early 2027.

Until then, what do you folks reckon? Are you excited to see how this upcoming new Toyota-Mazda entry-level sportscar will fare out? Hit the comments below…