BMW M4-Powered 2025 Toyota Supra GRMN Is Officially Happening, Will Remain RWD

Four years later, these rumors have finally begun to materialize, with Toyota beginning to test an early pre-production prototype of the upcoming Supra GRMN around the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

Regardless of their accuracy, these rumors are thus gaining momentum once more, and nearly all indications suggest the emergence of a special edition GR Supra dubbed GRMN (Gazoo Racing Masters of the Nurburgring), which should also mark the model's farewell.

Forged on the Nurburgring

The roots of Toyota's GRMN department trace back to the iconic Nurburgring Nordschleife, the infamous German racetrack that's both a proving ground and a battlefield for performance cars.

Gazoo Racing, Toyota's motorsport division, took on the challenge of conquering the legendary Green Hell from its inception, which is why the GRMN department incorporates the track's name.

In other words, it's no surprise that this is where Toyota has begun testing the Toyota Supra GRMN in public. On top of it, the German underpinnings of the regular Supra make it easier for its development to access the German parts suppliers shared by the Supra with the BMW Z4 and other BMW models.

Deceiving Looks

Despite low camouflage on the prototype, the model showcases subtle yet impactful visual modifications. Notably, there's a pronounced aero enhancement around the front end, including side splitters and an elevated rear wing, signifying an emphasis on aerodynamic performance.

Observant eyes will also catch the new lightweight wheel design shod with Michelin rubber and a more substantial brake setup tucked behind. The body appears to sit lower to the ground, hinting at a thorough suspension recalibration.

All these modifications appear to be primarily cosmetic, albeit not in the sense that you're thinking. Toyota GR's engineers might have just put them to make spy photographers believe they are only looking at a slightly revised GR Supra, not the heavily modified top-of-the-range swan song originally envisioned by rumors.

Those brake discs and oversized calipers are not unlike those on the BMW M4 CSL, so the production version might have a lot more revisions to the exterior than these spy photos show.

More Than Meets the Eye

While a level of skepticism should be maintained, most of the details speculated in recent months now seem quite plausible. However, the likelihood of some of the specifics depends on how persuasive Toyota was in securing BMW's most potent straight-six engine for this endeavor.

As you know, the fifth generation of the Toyota Supra shares its technical underpinnings with the BMW Z4 G29 roadster. However, it distinguishes itself by incorporating a distinctive Toyota body and coupe design, deviating from the strictly roadster-focused approach of its German counterpart.

Either way, all of the car's hard points are identical between the two models, and the talk hinting at an M powertrain on the Supra was quickly dismissed since the Z4 doesn't have a full-blown M version of its own.

It's a well-known fact that the Z4 and Supra are twins regarding their technical underpinnings despite bearing different badges. Both cars are crafted on the same production lines by Magna Steyr in Austria. The similarities, from powerplants to suspension setups and infotainment systems, are striking, and this is why the Supra uses a BMW model code, being designated as a J29 series internally, despite using the "A90" code for promotional and marketing materials to maintain continuity from previous Supra generations.

To M or Not to M

The absence of an M version for the current BMW Z4 had previously cast doubt on the possibility of a Supra featuring the formidable S58 inline-six engine. However, recent developments suggest a potential shift in this narrative. Speculations are rife that the Z4 may see an M variant in the near future, thereby rekindling hopes for a high-performance Supra equipped with the mighty BMW M3/M4 engine.

Recent whispers suggest an exciting prospect: the potent BMW S58, known for its prowess in the M3 and M4, might soon find its home not only in the Supra GRMN but also in the Z4 M, which may come later than the Toyota.

Indeed, the S58 engine represents a significant leap in performance for those seeking an adrenaline-fueled driving experience in a Supra. Presently gracing the BMW X3 M, X4 M, M3, M3 Touring, and M4, this twin-turbocharged, high-performance six-cylinder offers a range of power outputs. In standard guise, it already impresses with 473 HP (480 PS), while the Competition models up the ante with 503 HP (510 PS).

The M4 CSL roars with a formidable 543 HP (550 PS) for those craving even more power, and this S58 version is the one most related to the Supra GRMN, according to most recent talks.

The collaboration between BMW M's CEO, Franciscus van Meel, and Toyota's Tetsuya Tada, fondly recognized as Mr. 86 for his role in the Toyota 86 development, holds promise for an exciting future. Tada's influence appears to have been a driving force in persuading BMW M's head honcho to consider placing the potent twin-turbo S58 engine in the Z4 G29's M version and a limited-edition Supra GRMN variant.

Business Case

The viability of integrating the powerful S58 engine into both the special Supra GRMN and the Z4 G29's M version hinges on a strategic approach. Rather than purely focusing on exceptional performance, the BMW Z4 M must embrace its exclusivity and uniqueness as a key selling point.

On the other hand, the GRMN badge isn't necessarily based on exclusivity but on performance as a selling point. In translation, while the Z4 M will be the cool, fast roadster, the Toyota Supra GRMN should be as quick, if not quicker, than similarly powered BMW M models around the Nurburgring. Expect a huge diet and extra bracing to make the Toyota a lot stiffer and faster on track.

By embracing these two approaches for the Z4 M and the Supra GRMN, Toyota and BMW can cater to a niche market that appreciates the prestige of something exceptional and rare but also with outstanding performance.

While the most potent version of the GR Supra starts at around $65k in the U.S. and 60k Euros on the Old Continent, the limited-edition Supra GRMN should command well over 100k, making it almost double in price.

As the automotive industry increasingly shifts toward electrification, this GRMN variant could be the final chapter in the Supra's long history of relying on internal combustion engines. Hence, it needs to go out with a bang.