Next Toyota GT86 and Mazda MX-5 Rumoured to Share Platform
Reports from Japan suggest Toyota will partner with Mazda for the next GT86, ending its Subaru collaboration and potentially shifting production to Hiroshima.
Toyota is reportedly preparing to abandon its long-running partnership with Subaru for the next generation of its affordable sports car, with sources in Japan indicating that the next GT86 will share its platform with the Mazda MX-5. This would mark a major shift for both model lines, which have previously followed separate development paths.
Multiple reports, including those from Best Car in Japan, suggest Toyota and Mazda are working together to co-develop their future rear-wheel-drive sports cars. The implication is that the next-generation Toyota GT86 (or GR86) and the next Mazda MX-5 will be built on a common architecture, with each brand fitting its own engine. Toyota’s current arrangement with Subaru, which produced the GT86 and BRZ twins, would come to an end if this collaboration goes ahead.
Mazda-Toyota partnership details
According to reports, Mazda engineers have been working alongside Toyota’s teams, with the aim of stretching the MX-5’s platform to suit a 2+2 layout for the Toyota. The base chassis is said to be Mazda’s lightweight 990S architecture, adapted for Toyota’s requirements. Production for both models could move to Mazda’s Hiroshima facility, with a possible launch date as late as 2028.
Toyota’s version is expected to use its own hybridised 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, while Mazda would update its existing unit, also with hybrid assistance. Despite the shared underpinnings, each car is expected to maintain a distinct character, with separate engine and tuning strategies. This echoes the previous arrangement where the Fiat 124 Spider used the MX-5’s chassis but featured a different powertrain.
Implications for buyers and fans
The rumoured collaboration raises questions about how much of each car’s unique character will survive the transition to a shared platform. The current GT86/GR86 and MX-5 have distinct driving experiences, with the Toyota offering a stiffer, more serious chassis and the Mazda focusing on lightness and simplicity. Some enthusiasts and commentators have expressed concern that a joint platform could dilute these differences, especially if both cars are built in the same factory.
Toyota was previously rumoured to be developing a smaller sports car below the GT86, previewed by the S-FR concept, but the focus now appears to be on maintaining a presence in the segment through collaboration. For Mazda, the project would secure the future of the MX-5, which is approaching the end of its current generation and faces pressure from tightening safety and emissions standards.
Technical updates for current GT86
While the next-generation cars are still years away, Toyota is planning a facelift for the current GT86, expected in April 2016. The update will see power rise to 211hp, along with Sachs dampers and a reinforced rear suspension as standard. These changes are intended to keep the model competitive until the new platform arrives.
- Toyota GT86 facelift: 211hp, Sachs dampers, uprated rear suspension
- Mazda MX-5: current ND generation, over ten years old
- Subaru BRZ: future uncertain beyond current generation
Neither Toyota nor Mazda has officially confirmed the details of the collaboration. However, the reports are consistent across several sources and align with both companies’ recent moves to share technology and reduce development costs. For now, fans of both sports cars will be watching closely to see how the partnership develops and whether the distinct personalities of the GT86 and MX-5 can be preserved.
