The head of the BMW M division has admitted it would be possible to drop the upcoming M3’s engine into the Toyota GR Supra, but emphasised such a scenario is “unlikely for now”.

Speaking to Autocar, Markus Flasch said considering using the S58 unit – the Munich-based firm’s 3,0-litre six-cylinder engine that has already debuted in the X3 M and X4 M and is also set to feature in the upcoming M3 and M4 – in the new Supra made for an “interesting idea”.

“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,” Flasch told the British publication.

Of course, the GR Supra – which was developed alongside the Z4 roadster – already employs BMW’s B58 engine, which also displaces 3,0 litres (likewise in straight-six form). In the Supra, it offers the rear axle 250 kW and 500 N.m.

“As a rule, we don’t offer BMW M engines to third parties because we consider them such a strength of our cars,” Flasch pointed out.

“I think it would be a hard decision for a lot of the team to accept – 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?" he asked.

Original article from Car