The Toyota Supra first hit the road in 1979 and it remained a feature of this Japanese manufacturer's range until 2002, when it was put on ice.

Now it seems that the company is getting ready to revise this performance-oriented coupe classic for a new generation.

Toyota designer, Tetsuya Tada, has been commissioned to work on the new version, which it is believed will be based on the electric engine that powers the Tesla supercar.

This would make the revived Supra far more eco-friendly than its predecessor, which was always a popular import and remains a good choice for those who want to modify and tweak an already powerful vehicle.

We will not be seeing the new Supra for some time, as Toyota believes that it will take half a decade to bring it to market and the development process will not begin in earnest until at least 2014.

In the meantime, new buyers will look to the Scion FR-S for their Japanese kicks, while fans of classic cars can always buy an original Supra from any one of its past generations and enjoy a combination of power and unusualness that makes this range so attractive.