Time is really flying. I can recall clearly when Toyota took the last fourth generation Supra out of production. As far as I remember, the Celica and MR2 vanished off price lists around the same time. A lot of youth and ‘young at heart’ appeal left with them, forcing the average age of Toyota buyers upwards at the time. A few years ago the 86 arrived as the first deposit on restoring that appeal.
Now, a new Supra arrives later this year. The word from the Detroit Show is that Toyota made a really appealing small sport coupe that the chief engineer describes as "a two-seater car."
It must be one of the most speculated models to be launched this decade. It will be built in Austria, powered by BMW, but very much a Toyota
The question is being asked by Automotive News and others, why would one of the most conservative automakers in the world take what is essentially a flier on a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive sports car? The answer is Toyota president Akio Toyoda wanted the Supra back in the line-up after a 20-years absence. He sees the real value to the brand in cars of the new Supra.
The new Toyota GR Supra is the fifth generation of Toyota’s legendary sports car, and the first global GR model to be produced by Toyota Gazoo Racing made its world debut this week on at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The new Toyota GR Supra has been conceived as a sports car in its purest form, with no compromise that would take from the enjoyment of the driving experience. Chief engineer Tetsuya Tada has adhered to the classic form of a front-mounted, straight-six engine driving the rear wheels, building on the heritage of Toyota’s past Supra generations and original 2000GT sports car.
Toyota says driving enthusiasts can look forward to an exhilarating blend of power, agility and precision handling, achieved thanks to the car’s combination of a short wheelbase and wide track, light weight, low centre of gravity and highly rigid body.
The 3.0-litre engine benefits from a twin-scroll turbocharger and produces 340hp and 500Nm of torque. Coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission, it is characterised by smooth and powerful acceleration, with large amounts of torque available across the full spectrum of engine speeds.
Toyota GR Supra A90 Edition
The Toyota Supra prototype made an impressive international debut when it appeared in front of the crowds of the Goodwood Festival of Speed last summer.
Clothed in a head-turning black, red and white camouflage, inspired by the Toyota Gazoo Racing colours, its cameo appearance echoed the heritage of the Supra’s famous ‘A’ chassis code with a new “A90” reference.
To celebrate the Supra heritage and the introduction of the fifth generation code number, an exclusive Toyota GR Supra A90 Edition model will be built at launch, with production strictly limited to just 90 examples. The A90 Edition will be finished in a dramatic new Storm Grey matt paint finish, equipped with matt black alloy wheels and a driver’s cockpit upholstered in red leather.
The Toyota GR Supra A90 Edition will be offered exclusively to the first 90 European customers who place a pre-order for their car through the country-specific reservation platforms.
Commenting on the Supra, Steve Tormey, chief executive of Toyota Ireland says the Supra is one of the biggest legends and most-loved cars in Toyota history and there is huge excitement in its return.
"It has been created with pure performance and driving enjoyment in mind and with a stunning design that builds on previous generations of the car. We are sure that fans will be enthused with the return of the Supra, and that it will help introduce a new generation of fans to the Supra legend.”
