TOYOTA is buoying anticipation of its fifth-generation Supra sports coupe with an appearance of a heavily disguised prototype at Germany’s Nurburgring circuit – the industry standard for high-performance car development.

When the eagerly-anticipated model broke cover in September last year, the car was spotted sedately parading along public roads, but the latest outing at one of the most challenging racing circuits in the world suggests its Japanese maker is getting serious about potent performance opponents.

The German convertible is reported to share much of its structural underpinnings with the Toyota, and with the Supra conducting the bulk of its performance testing on BMW’s doorstep, it is clear a sizable chunk of the Toyota project is being handled by European hands.

Until Toyota is ready to spill the first details, all other Supra facts will remain speculation, including suggestions that the vehicle will be on offer with an automatic transmission only, and at least one drivetrain (if not the only one) will use a BMW petrol engine, paired with Japanese electric motors and power pack.