Toyota Is Ending Its Collaboration with Subaru for a New Sports Car in Favor of Mazda: Report

      Toyota/Mazda, edited by The Drive

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      My ex-wife humorously dubbed my 1990 Miata as “the other woman.” I purchased it long before I gave her a ring, which might explain her sentiment—and perhaps why she's now an “ex.” The Miata is still part of my life. Why does this matter? Recently, a report surfaced suggesting that a Miata could be causing issues in another marriage, this time in the context of the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ.

      Yes, we’re referencing Best Car here, so take this with a considerable grain of salt, but the Japanese magazine asserts that Toyota and Mazda are planning to co-develop a successor to both the GR86 and MX-5 using a shared platform. It's worth noting that this report does not mention the Subaru BRZ at all. Considering recent sales figures, this omission might not be accidental. The more affordable versions of Subaru’s performance models were affected by tariffs, and the pricier options are not selling well.

      At first glance, the BRZ seemed less logical for Subaru compared to the FR-S and GR86 for Scion/Toyota. The entire concept was inspired by the AE86 (the rear-wheel-drive Corolla from the 1980s, for those not well-versed in chassis codes). Moreover, looking at Subaru’s traditional lineup, there are no rear-wheel-drive 2+2s available.

      If you’re a Miata enthusiast, you might recall a similar situation from the past. When Mazda brought back the rotary for the RX-8 in 2003, the Miata played a vital role in its foundation. Some attribute the RX-8’s elongated, four-seat design to the NC’s relative heft compared to other Miatas. The third-generation roadster weighed nearly 2,500 pounds in its lightest configuration (the 5-speed Sport model), while the 4th-generation ND was roughly 150 pounds lighter after implementing all its “Skyactiv” efficiency upgrades.

      Speaking of the RX-8, I can’t help but speculate on what Mazda could achieve with another 2+2 variant of the Miata platform, especially if Toyota is eyeing a successor to the Supra. I would choose a Mazda six-speed over a BMW’s any day.

      I have contacted all three automakers for a response regarding the Best Car report and will update this story if I receive any feedback.

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