The BMW Z4 and the Toyota GR Supra — two of the most recognizable rear-wheel-drive sports cars sold today — are both nearing the end of their production cycles.
Neither company has officially announced replacements.
Insider reports, interviews, and manufacturing plans predict the discontinuation of both models around 2026, without any confirmed direct successors.
Here’s what’s happening, why it matters, and what the outcome means for fans of true enthusiast sports cars.
BMW Z4: Production Ending Soon
The BMW Z4 — currently in its third generation (G29) — is built at Magna Steyr’s plant in Graz, Austria.
BMW partnered with Toyota on the Z4’s platform, sharing its architecture with the Toyota GR Supra.
What’s confirmed:
- BMW has already announced that production of the Z4 will end in March 2026.
- • There has been no announcement of a replacement model.
- BMW executives have indicated that the market for two-seat roadsters is shrinking.
- BMW is focusing future investment on electric vehicles (EVs) and high-volume crossovers.
The Z4 is unlikely to get a direct successor.
BMW is not currently planning a traditional gas-powered Z4 replacement, despite the possibility of building sporty EVs in the future.
Toyota GR Supra: Future in Question
The Toyota GR Supra — built alongside the Z4 at the same factory — shares much of its engineering with BMW’s roadster, including engines, transmissions, and chassis components.
What’s happening:
- Toyota has not officially announced the end of the Supra yet.
- However, because Supra production is tied to the Z4 at Magna Steyr, it will naturally end when the Z4 does.
- Toyota insiders suggest there are no immediate plans for a next-generation Supra.
- Toyota’s sports car focus is shifting to lighter models like the GR86 and future electric sports cars.
This means the current GR Supra will likely cease production by 2026, ending its five- or six-year run.
Why Are BMW and Toyota Ending These Models?
Several reasons are behind the decision:
- Declining Sales: Two-seat sports cars have become a niche market globally. SUVs and crossovers dominate sales charts.
- High Costs: Low-volume production runs are expensive, especially when built by third-party contractors like Magna Steyr.
- Shifting Strategy: Both BMW and Toyota are investing heavily in electric vehicles, hybrid performance, and larger mainstream models.
- Changing Enthusiast Markets: Younger buyers are less interested in traditional two-seat sports cars compared to previous generations.
While enthusiast demand remains strong, it is no longer enough to justify the cost of an entirely new development program for niche models like the Z4 and Supra.
Could Either Return?
There is always a chance that either brand could revive the nameplates in the future — but not immediately.
BMW
BMW’s next-generation performance cars will focus heavily on electric M models.
The company is unlikely to return to building small gas-powered convertibles anytime soon.
Toyota
Toyota has hinted at a long-term commitment to the “GR” performance brand.
Future sports cars — especially lightweight electric coupes — could carry the GR badge, but they will look very different from the current Supra.
A fully electric Supra could happen — but it would be years away and involve entirely new technology.
What Enthusiasts Should Know
If you want a new BMW Z4 or Toyota GR Supra, now is the time to act.
- Final model year production will be limited.
- Special editions could be released toward the end of the production run (BMW and Toyota often celebrate final years with limited-run models).
- Resale values for clean, low-mileage examples may rise over time as they become rarer.
Both the Z4 and Supra represent some of the last true rear-wheel-drive, internal combustion two-seaters that enthusiasts can buy new.
Finding something similar becomes much harder once they disappear, unless you look at used markets or very high-end brands.
Final Thoughts: The End of an Era
The BMW Z4 and Toyota GR Supra were never mass-market cars.
They were passion projects — built for people who loved driving.
In a world shifting toward electric SUVs and crossovers, it is no surprise that pure, two-seat sports cars are becoming rare.
Still, the loss of these models marks the end of a chapter for driving enthusiasts everywhere.
If you have a passion for authentic sports cars, the opportunity to purchase a new Z4 or Supra is rapidly diminishing.
And when they’re gone, it could be a long time before anything like them comes back.
