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Toyota and BMW have announced their plant to develop a new sports car together, lightweight tech, fuel cells and more. Both companies signed long term agreements to develop a new fuel cell system jointly, sports car architecture and lightweight materials. The agreement is an extension of an original understanding which was signed by heads of Toyota and BMW, this previous year in June.
Both firms signed the agreement which entails them collaborating on research and the development of lithium air batteries, which have been seen as the next step up from lithium ion cells. Both companies have expressed that they are sure fuel cell technology is going to be a solution that is necessary to ensure zero emissions. The firms have decided to together make a fuel cell stack, hydrogen tank and motor and battery, they also aim to have the cars on the market within 7 years, by 2020. Due to the size of Toyota and BMW, decisions that are made with regards of fuel cell infrastructure could easily control what the remainder of the motor industry decide to use in the future.
Fans will allegedly see a new study into the development into a brand new mid size sports car platform. This study will be completed for around the end of 2013. The Toyota model is highly likely to be a car that will slot in above the GT 86, this will probably revive the Celica name and a Lexus model looks possible too.
The architecture has been described as a medium sized sports vehicle. If the signing off of this new architecture goes ahead then the car could actually be produced and developed at the same time as the arrival of the new BMW Z4, which will be available by 2015. The new car could also feature advances which will be made by both of the firms with the development of new lightweight technology, with progress already being made by BMW with their Project I vehicles, it has already been agreed that this technology could be used in their new sports car platform.