Toyota is preparing to bid farewell, once again, to its beloved sports coupe. A special “Final Edition” of the 2026 GR Supra is in the works as production of the fifth-generation model winds down. Built alongside the BMW Z4 at Magna Steyr’s plant in Austria, the current Supra will cease production in the spring of 2026. Due to its low production volume, Toyota has decided not to invest in the upgrades required to meet new global regulations.
But there’s some encouraging news: Toyota fully intends to introduce a successor. However, there will be a pause before the new Supra arrives—a situation that’s not unfamiliar. After all, the current GR Supra returned to the lineup in 2019 after a 20-year break. That comeback was possible thanks to a collaboration with BMW, resulting in the shared platform and the turbocharged inline-six engine that powers both the Supra and the Z4.
“It makes perfect sense for there to be a next-generation Supra,” said Cooper Ericksen, Toyota Motor North America’s senior vice president of Product Planning and Strategy, in a recent conversation. “But the specifics—when and how it happens—are still to be determined.”
The Gap Will Be Shorter This Time
Ericksen acknowledged there will definitely be a gap between the current Supra and its eventual replacement. “The real question is how big will that gap be,” he said. “Our intention is for it to be much shorter than the last one.” While taking less than 20 years would be an easy win, Ericksen seemed genuine in wanting to minimize the hiatus.
At this point, U.S. Toyota executives don’t have a clear timeline to share. The decision ultimately rests with Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan. It will also be up to TMC to decide whether to once again team up with BMW or develop the next Supra on its own.
David Christ, general manager of the Toyota Division in North America, expressed his own excitement about the possibility. “I’d love to be part of the next Supra’s planning,” he said, “but that’s a decision made way above my level.”
Toyota’s Current Focus
Toyota has no shortage of projects already in motion. As Ericksen pointed out, it’s a matter of resources. The 2026 RAV4, for example, is a brand-new vehicle built on an advanced electrical platform, with an updated multimedia system and new safety features. These advancements will be implemented across the 35 Toyota and Lexus models available in the U.S., a huge undertaking that demands significant resources.
“We’d love to do everything all at once,” Ericksen said. “But for now, our priority is ensuring we’re meeting demand for our core lineup.”
He compared the Supra’s future to choosing between remodeling an old house or starting fresh. “The Final Edition of the Supra marks a point where it no longer makes sense to keep investing in updates just to meet regulations,” he explained. “It’s time to build a completely new house. When we can make that happen is the big question.”
The intention and enthusiasm are there. “Our goal is definitely to bring out a next-generation Supra,” Ericksen said. “Whether or not there’s a partner involved, we’ll have to wait and see. Personally, I want to deliver a car that our enthusiasts will fall in love with all over again.”
