BMW And Toyota Confirm Green Tech And Joint Sports Car Project

BMW and Toyota will strengthen ties in 2013, expanding their existing shared engine arrangement to include partnering on new technologies and a new sports-car platform.

The partnership, finalised this week, follows the announcement of a Memorandum of Understanding early last year that opened the door to greater collaboration between the two giants. 

The bulk of the partnership will centre on developing green technologies. Low-emissions systems are a major priority for both companies, including Toyota's pioneering Prius brand, and BMW's ActiveHybrid range and the new i brand.

Development of a new hydrogen fuel-cell system will lead the project, producing a new system that will include the fuel cell stack, hydrogen battery, motor and tank. The carmakers have set a 2020 deadline for production. 

Electric and hybrid vehicles will get a boost with the development of a new "post lithium-ion" technology.

The two carmakers will soon begin joint research on developing a new lithium-air battery "that will sport an energy density much greater than that of existing lithium-ion batteries". 

Lightweight construction and materials will remain a focus for both, and new investment in reinforced composites will be a key part of this project - particularly with the new joint sports platform. 

Suggesting a possible return of Toyota's hero Supra coupe, the carmakers have kicked off a feasability study on a new sports-car platform, which is expected to run until the end of 2013.

What does that timeline mean for fans? If a pair of new Toyota and BMW sports models come out of this project, don't expect to see them before 2017.

• Supra | Toyota | BMW | Sports Cars | Enthusiast