BMW and Toyota will jointly develop a sports car, extend technology ties

BMW CEO Reithofer, right, with Toyota President Toyoda, said today: “Toyota and the BMW Group share the same strategic vision of sustainable individual future mobility. Together we have a great opportunity to continue leading our industry through this transformation.”

by Paul McVeigh
Automotive News | June 29, 2012 - 12:01 am EST
UPDATED: 6/29/12 7:17 am ET - announcement added


MUNICH -- BMW and Toyota Motor Corp. today said they will develop a sports car together and cooperate in fuel cell technology, powertrain electrification and lightweight technologies.

BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer and Toyota President Akio Toyoda signed an agreement at BMW's Munich headquarters to expand long-term strategic collaboration between the two automakers.

In March, BMW and Toyota agreed to collaborate with BMW on lithium-ion battery research in exchange for a steady supply of BMW-made diesel engines starting in 2014.

The expanded deal signifies a second major transatlantic pact of a German premium carmaker after Mercedes parent Daimler collaborated with Renault-Nissan.

It could also serve to help ward off German rival Audi, which can enjoy bigger economies of scale thanks to its parent Volkswagen AG.

"Toyota and the BMW Group share the same strategic vision of sustainable individual future mobility. Together we have a great opportunity to continue leading our industry through this transformation," Reithofer said in a statement.

Toyoda said in the same statement: "Toyota is strong in environment-friendly hybrids and fuel cells. On the other hand, I believe BMW's strength is in developing sports cars. I am excited to think of the cars that will result from this relationship."

Reuters contributed to this report.

PRESS RELEASE: BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation agree to further strengthen collaboration

Tokyo/Munich . Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), met today with Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, at BMW Group headquarters in Munich to announce the planned expansion of their existing cooperation initiated in December last year. The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at long-term strategic collaboration in four fields: joint development of a fuel cell system, joint development of architecture and components for a future sports vehicle, collaboration on powertrain electrification and joint research and development on lightweight technologies.

Also today, Norbert Reithofer and Akio Toyoda of TMC both signed a Joint Statement to reconfirm their companies' shared intention to strengthen the long-term, strategic collaboration between them.
Reithofer said: "We aim to further strengthen our competitive position in sustainable future technologies. We signed an MoU to this effect today. Toyota and the BMW Group share the same strategic vision of sustainable individual future mobility. Together we have a great opportunity to continue leading our industry through this transformation."

Toyoda added: "BMW and Toyota both want to make ever-better cars. We respect each other. And I think this is shown by our taking the next step only six months since the signing of our initial agreement. Toyota is strong in environment-friendly hybrids and fuel cells. On the other hand, I believe BMW's strength is in developing sports cars. I am excited to think of the cars that will result from this relationship."

In March 2012, the BMW Group and TMC signed a binding agreement on collaborative research in the field of next-generation lithium-ion battery cells. In addition, the BMW Group and Toyota Motor Europe entered into a contract under which the BMW Group will supply highly-efficient 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre diesel engines to Toyota Motor Europe, starting in 2014.

Today's MoU represents the companies' agreement in December last year to identify and discuss other possible collaborative projects.

CLICK HERE for the press release.

Source;
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120629/COPY01/306299999/1193/bmw-and-toyota-will-jointly-develop-a-sports-car-extend-technology

Lexus LF-LC 2+2 sport coupe Concept Leaked

This compliments this previous post;

http://www.thehondaportal.blogspot.com/2011/12/lexus-to-unveil-sport-coupe-concept.html

Lexus to Unveil Sport Coupe Concept Vehicle at North American International Auto Show in Detroit

TORRANCE, Calif., Dec.21, 2011 – Taking the new Lexus design direction one step further, the LF-LC 2+2 sport coupe will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit at 1:25 pm Eastern time on January 9, 2012.

"Crafted from a clean sheet of paper at the request of Lexus headquarters in Japan, the LF-LC blends both high technology and organic shapes to connect the driver to the machine," said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. "The clean lines of the vehicle emphasize motion, creating a distinctive look for this futuristic sport coupe."

Conceived as a design exercise to explore the future of Lexus design, the LF-LC was created at the company’s Calty design studio in Newport Beach, Calif.


Source;
http://www.lexus.com/concept/_pdf/Concept_Vehicle_Press_Release_12_21_2011.pdf

Next Gen Toyota Supra underway!

Lexus plans super LFA Tokyo Edition, new Supra underway
By Tim Pollard

Lexus will launch an LFA Tokyo Motor Show Edition at this autumn's 2011 Japanese show, CAR has discovered - and we can expect a brace of additional new Toyota/Lexus performance cars in the coming years, including a likely Supra replacement.

The Lexus LFA Tokyo edition will bring an M3-esque exposed carbon roof and (still hydraulically adjustable) carbon rear spoiler. Presumably this just means the weave is exposed, as the LFA is already made from carbonfibre.

CAR understands the LFA Tokyo will cost about €40k more than a 'regular' Lexus LFA.
What else is planned for the Lexus LFA?

A spider roadster was planned and its carbonfibre construction meant the open-top LFA was nearly as rigid as the coupe. But our sources in Japan have confirmed the roadster LFA has been canned owing to the economic uncertainty in markets around the world.

And what's this about new performance cars from Toyota/Lexus?

Toyota is working on two other performance cars separate from the FT-86 and LFA projects.
Information is sketchy at this point, but CAR understands one is a front-wheel drive car (possibly a go-faster CT200h) and one is a potential successor to the Supra.

Officially, a Supra replacement is denied. But we hear a skunkworks, unofficial project is underway to replace the RWD coupe and some insiders predict a 2014 launch.

It also sounds like future fast Toyota/Lexus models will switch from high-revving naturally aspirated engines - as in the LFA, ISF and FT-86 - to smaller, turbocharged engines. Interesting times at Toyota, as it attempts to play catch-up after a decade away from the performance heartland.

Source;
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Secret-new-cars/Search-Results/Spyshots/Lexus-to-launch-super-LFA-Tokyo-Edition-plus-new-Supra-underway/

Lexus LFA will be available on lease in the US and Canada

The 552hp Lexus LFA supercar will be available in North America on a lease basis for at least two years, after which, you can choose to purchase the car. Out of 500 units planned, about 140 are expected to be available in the US and 10 for the Canadian market. This is to prevent the cars from not being driven until they carry more value and subsequently sold. It also to avoid speculators from purchasing the car and selling it immediately for a huge profit.

Source;
http://paultan.org/2009/11/26/lexus-lfa-will-be-available-on-lease-in-the-us-and-canada/

Jalopnik: The All-Acrylic Lexus LFA Looks Cold As Ice

So cool that it needs no explanation....
This transparent sculpture, by Japanese architect Scu Fujimoto, displayed at Milan Design Week earlier this year, of the new $375,000 Lexus LFA super car just revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show is stunning. Old, yes, but still stunning.

What's most impressive about the piece is details like the seats, instrument panel, engine and the suspension can all be seen. According to Lexus, the sculpture is constructed from transparent acrylic boards that have been sanded and polished. All we know is it's simply epic.

Source;

http://jalopnik.com/5389872/the-all+acrylic-lexus-lfa-looks-cold-as-ice

Lexus LF-A Supercar Spyshots by KPG

All I can say is wow, and it has the price tag to match too....
Here's the full spy report from the folks at KGP:

"We just caught a near production-ready Lexus LF-A prototype almost completely free of camouflage, giving us our best look yet at the upcoming supercar very close to showroom trim. This is the first time that the LF-A's revised front air-intake design has been seen uncovered. The final shape of the finessed side intake is also more apparent on this clean, white prototype. Finally, remove the white tape from the tail-light, and you'll have the final shape of the LF-A's rear-end, and the fully-trimmed rear exhaust vents and rear diffuser.
The LF-A is expected to be built using a carbon fiber chassis, keeping weight down to approximately 3,300 pounds. A V-10 should produce at least 550-hp, channeled through a GT-R style auto-manual tranny. The LF-A will probably reach production sometime in 2010, with low production numbers perhaps commanding a $400,000 price tag."

Source;
http://jalopnik.com/5361642/lexus-lf+a-clearest-look-yet