[roastpuff]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/peterly...mx-5-and-gr86/

According to Best Car, several chief engineers from Mazda have been dispatched to Toyota City to work on the development of the next-generation MX-5 and GR86 using the current model MX-5 as a starting point. Toyota has reportedly put up significant funds to revise the current platform and make it compatible to both rear-wheel drive models.

This is a massive switch from the first two generations of GR86 which were co-developed with Subaru, a project under which Subaru made its own BRZ. In deciding which platform to use for its next-gen GR86, having cut ties with Subaru, Toyota initially considered using a revised version of the Lexus IS, which is its only mid-sized rear-drive platform.

...

Now while the two cars will employ a co-developed, almost identical platform, they will be powered by different engines. Toyota will use a 4-cylinder, 2.0-liter hybrid naturally aspirated unit pumping out upwards of 200-hp, while Mazda will reportedly employ of revised version of its current 2.0-liter, which according to one report, may be hybridized and should develop around 200-hp as well.

I kind of... like this?