Supra Returns
After what’s seemed like years of concepts and teasers (actually, it has been YEARS!), the fourth-generation Supra was finally revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this past January.
To be released to selected markets later this year as a 2020 model, what Toyota are calling “a sports car in its purest form” is the first new Supra in 17 years.
The upcoming model sticks to the established Supra ethos of a six-cylinder engine driving the rear wheels, with the 3.0-litre engine in the upcoming ‘A90’ generation Supra to feature a twin-scroll turbocharger matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Hand of Gazoo
Officially, the new Supra is known as the ‘Toyota GR Supra’. GR, if you didn’t know, comes from GAZOO Racing, Toyota’s competition arm that runs motorsport programmes from the World Endurance Championship to the World Rally Championship and everything in between.
GAZOO Racing has previously released GR and GRMN versions of existing Toyota cars, including the Yaris and 86, for selected markets, but the Supra will be the first GR model to be released globally. Information released by Toyota at the GR Supra launch suggests that further GR models will also be coming in the future.
Testing of the GR Supra was carried out globally, including here in Australia with chief engineer Tetsuya Tada. Like every fast car manufacturer, Toyota also put the new Supra to the test on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, where none other than Toyota president Akio Toyoda drove it on the famous track before giving the car the final green light.
Toyoda said he had developed his craft as a master driver by spending countless hours driving an old Supra at the Nurburgring. Even though Toyota had no plans to make a new Supra, just like a lot of other diehard Supra fans around the world, I secretly wanted to make it happen," he said.
"The new GR Supra was born through testing at Nurburgring, and I can honestly say that it is a car that is fun to drive and better than ever."
Pure Sports
Building and selling sports cars is a tough gig in the new millennium, which explains why the new Supra was co-developed between Toyota and BMW to reduce costs. BMW get a new Z4 convertible out of the collaboration, and it’s interesting to note that, despite the shared development, the Z4 will only be offered as a convertible, while the Supra will only be available as a coupe.
The new Supra’s styling, overseen by Nobuo Nakamura and resembling the FT-1 concept released in 2014, has drawn a mixed response, with some comparing it to a bloated 86 (the Supra wheelbase is actually shorter than that on the 86), rather than the sleeker shape of the previous A80 model.
Nakamura says the design theme was “Condensed Extreme”, meaning condensed elements like the wheelbase have been combined with extreme elements like the larger (19-inch) wheels and longer bonnet.
Beyond aesthetic concerns, the styling was also driven by the need to achieve optimum drag and lift characteristics, as well as a perfect 50:50 front/rear weight balance.
Turbo Power
Powering the new GR Supra is a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine fitted with a twin-scroll turbocharger, high-precision direct fuel injection and continuously variable valve control. Described as a powerful, well-balanced, smooth and light revving engine, listed outputs are 250kW and 500Nm; the latter claimed as segment-leading by Toyota.
An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, with short ratios for the lower gears, a choice of Normal or Sport modes, standard paddle shifters and an active differential. Optional for some markets, the active diff will be standard on Australian-delivered GR Supras.
No manual gearbox is mentioned in the information released by Toyota to date, so that seems like it’s off the table – for now, at least. A Launch Control function maximises traction for the rear-wheel drive coupe, with 0-100km/h times of 4.3 seconds, while a Track setting for the vehicle stability control system minimises the system’s intervention.
Improving the car’s dynamics is a low centre of gravity, wide track and high degree of structural rigidity, as well as adaptive dampers on the double-joint spring MacPherson strut front suspension and five-link rear suspension.
Driver-Focussed Cabin
Inside the new GR Supra, the two-seat cockpit is said to be inspired by single-seat racing cars, with a low dash height, closely-grouped instruments and driver controls, and even knee pads on the driver’s door and console sides.
The asymmetric centre console is biased toward the driver, while the standard sports seats feature side bolsters and integrated head restraints. For all its performance focus, the GR Supra is said to still be practical, with enough room in the boot for a couple’s weekend luggage, while a removable panel at the rear of the cabin stretches the room to take a golf bag.
The 300
While the GR Supra is set to make its debut in selected markets by the middle of this year, Australia will have to wait until the end of 2019. Around 300 units will be released here, with these to be our total allocation for 12 months.Full specs, pricing and details on elements like the GR Supra’s driver assistance technologies and safety features will be announced closer to Australian release.
