BMW isn't completely opposed to an M3-powered Toyota Supra

It's unlikely, but not impossible.

The born-again Toyota Supra shares many components with the BMW Z4, including its engine, so it could technically receive more powerful engines from the German's parts bin. Toyota said this scenario is unlikely, but it didn't completely rule it out.

One of the engines a hotter Supra could get is the turbocharged, 3.0-liter six found in the X3 M and the X4 M. It will also power the next M3 and M4, among other models. The head of BMW's M division didn't rule out providing it to Toyota if needed.

"We've certainly made no offer to supply the engine to Toyota -- and no request has been made, as far as I know. But, it's an interesting idea, if unlikely for now. It would be a lot for us to give away, you might say. But, I'd never say never," Markus Flasch told British magazine Autocar.

BMW is open to sharing engines with other manufacturers; readers might remember the Lincoln Continental was briefly available with a 2.4-liter, BMW-sourced diesel engine during the 1980s. The Bertone Freeclimber -- a Daihatsu Rocky on steroids made in small numbers -- came with BMW power, too. However, nearly all of the engines the firm has shared with other brands have been relatively mainstream ones. The units its M division develops are more closely guarded.

"As a rule, we don't offer BMW M engines to third parties because we consider them such a strength of our cars," Flasch said. "I think it would be a hard decision for a lot of the team to access -- particularly with the S58 being so new. Why would we sell it before we had a chance to use it ourselves in all the places we plan to?"

Toyota hasn't manifested an interest in using BMW's new straight-six yet, but the need for a hotter Supra will come up sooner or later. It will be interesting to see how Toyota meets it.