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BMW and Toyota recently signed an agreement and part of it will see both automakers working together on a new sports car architecture. From this architecture, each automaker will release a new model. For BMW, the platform will be used for the next generation Z4 and for Toyota, it will be used for the next generation Supra. But, the supposedly new platform isn't exactly new. The new platform that will be used for the new Z4 and Supra is the same rear wheel drive platform that underpins the Toyota 86 and the Subaru BRZ and the platform will go through some further development to suit the new car

In Japan, Honda is not so well known when it comes to hybrid cars. Over there, Toyota or Lexus is more popular for its hybrid offerings. Although Honda has been producing hybrid cars for quite a while, they are not popular as Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive vehicles. But things are about to change as Honda has announced three new hybrid systems that will be used in the near future. Let's start off with the Sport Hybrid Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive system. This particular one is aimed specifically at small, compact cars. It is a single motor system and Honda promises the best fuel economy in its class and better acceleration than any existing Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) vehicles. This system features a 1.5-litre Atkinson Cycle engine with a seven speed dual clutch transmission which contains an integrated high output electric motor powered by lithium ion batteries. During heavy acceleration and high speeds, the system uses both engine and motor power. While in low and medium speed, the car functions as an electric vehicle; provided there are sufficient battery charge. Honda stated that this system will improve efficiency by thirty percent when compared to its previous IMA vehicles and at the same time it delivers a more linear acceleration. Next up is the Sport Hybrid Intelligent Multi Mode Drive which is for larger sized cars. This system features a two motor system which offers three different types of driving modes. Firstly is the EV Drive which allows the vehicle to function in pure electric mode. This will give a good range in planned plug-in versions. Next is the Engine Drive mode which is used for medium to high speeds. And lastly is the Hybrid Drive mode which mixes power from the engine and the two electric motors. This is particularly useful during heavy acceleration and stop-and-go traffic. Lastly, the hybrid system which might interest some performance enthusiasts; is the Sport Hybrid Super Handling All Wheel Drive system which utilises three motors. This system uses two electric motors to drive the rear wheels and an engine and a seven speed dual clutch gearbox with an integrated electric motor for the front wheels. This particular system is ideal for performance and fuel economy. It is said that torque could be precisely optimised for traction on the rear wheels across a wide range of road surfaces and conditions. A fitted 3.5-litre V6 engine will support the electric motor to give a V8 engine-like acceleration with a V6 engine fuel economy. Honda mentioned that this system can deliver the performance benefits of an all wheel drive performance vehicle while minimising the weight penalties of such conventional systems. These three new hybrid systems are expected to feature in Honda vehicles in the near future. Image credit: Honda and Net Car Show

Many love the Toyota 86 (or Scion FR-S in some markets) sports coupe. While numerous reviews of it stated that it is a fun car to drive but many were disappointed with the performance. People have been hoping for a forced induced variant but Toyota has been very clear about one thing about the car from the very beginning and that is there will be no forced induced version of the car. Instead, they are considering a more unique way of increasing power for the car and that is to introduce a hybrid system. Tetsuya Tada, chief engineer of the Toyota 86, has said that the company is considering a hybrid system to boost power for the Toyota 86. Before anyone starts to ask whether the 86 is going to be a sporty looking Prius, the answer is no. It will not use the company's efficient Hybrid Synergy Drive system due to the 86's sporty image. Instead, the company is currently deciding on a new kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) for the car. The new system is heavily inspired by Toyota's TS030 Le Mans prototype. The TS030 (pictured below) is fitted with a KERS system that transfers captured braking energy to the rear wheels. Not much information was said but Tada did reveal that the system has been installed on a prototype 86 and will go through testing soon. He also mentioned that a hybrid system could set a high performance Toyota 86 as a sporty model and also as an environmentally responsible choice. Tada commented that 300bhp with a turbo and 200g/km of CO2 would be tasteless nowadays and if the company pursue such power without consideration to fuel consumption, then the market will not accept it. And also, a turbo will make the 86 lose its uniqueness.