Image Credit: Toyota
The original four generations of the Toyota Supra were produced between 1978 and 2002. Now, 21 years since it was last a production vehicle – the 2020 Supra is back – and it’s the perfect synthesis of Japanese and German engineering.
Built in collaboration with BMW’s Z4 (G29), Toyota hopes the latest version of its grand touring sports car can further help to elevate the brand. Since becoming president of the company his grandfather founded, Akio Toyoda has been dedicated to reinvigorating the family brand.
Known for making some of the world’s most reliable cars, Toyota has increasingly been able to gain recognition for styling, performance, and technological innovation. The Supra is a “halo car” designed to further cement Toyota’s reputation for making cars that can look, feel, and perform, as wonderfully as they run.
Crossovers and SUVs have become the world’s most popular rides and sports car sales have dwindled, bringing back the Supra was not an easy choice. President Toyoda, who spells his name in the proper Americanized phonetic way counted on a fruitful collaboration with German automaker BMW.
It’s seeming like the plan paid off. Built in conjunction with the BMW Z4, the 2020 Toyota Supra does a great job of combining style and performance. A true product of Japanese and German design and engineering know-how.
The Best of Both Worlds
As fruitful as their collaboration would ultimately be, it was not always an easy road for Toyota and BMW. At times, the companies seemed to be moving in the opposite direction. Ultimately, this would help to be part of the project’s success.
BMW wanted to build a convertible roadster; Toyota a sport hardtop grand tourer. Once the companies could agree to a new platform perfect for both rides, it became increasingly apparent that they had created something greater than the sum of its parts.
Created over a seven year development process, communications between Toyota and BMW broke down fairly early.
Fortunately, enough work was completed in the early stages that each company could benefit from a design that would be the foundation for both company’s production needs.
Designed for Thrills
The Toyota Supra has a very short wheel base and wide stance. These design specifics help the car to handle with an agility that will make it a pleasure to drive on the open road and race track.
The two-seater Supra offers much in the way of white knuckle thrills. Despite this, some wondered why the car includes a version of BMW’s 3.liter inline-six rather than a Toyota one. They also pondered why the Supra can only hit 335 horsepower while the Z4 has 382 horsepower with 369 pound-feet.
Toyota Engineer Tetsuya Tada answers both questions simply: “balance”. The Supra has a perfect 50:50 weight distribution and it shows. Even in challenging conditions with minimal room for error, the Supra continuously offers a smooth driving experience. This is a car that helps anyone feel like a professional racecar driver.
While it does not look very much like the Z4 on the outside, on the inside, the story is different. The Supra has an iDrive controller, infotainment and navigation systems straight from a BMW.
An eight speed automatic, some fans complained that the new Supra provides no manual gearbox. Instead, steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters offer the manual driving experience.
The Toyota Supra has special fourteen way adjustable racing seats. They help dampen the aggressive forces a driver can produce when pushing this car to its limits. They also have special settings for “sport” or “comfort driving”.
Check Out the 2020 Toyota Supra
Arriving 40 years after its original debut, the 2020 Supra is a modern sports car available at a great value. The new Supra is available for a base price of $49,990. Even with a $930 delivery fee, that is still less than the car cost in previous generations from only a couple of decades ago.
Three trim editions of the Supra will be available: Supra 3.0, Supra 3.0 Premium ($54,920), and the ultra limited Supra Launch Edition ($56,180). All three have the same powertrain and adaptive suspension.
The Premium includes the upgrades of an 8.8-inch touchscreen, a head-up display and 12-speaker JBL sound system. The Launch Edition, of only 1,500 cars, includes red mirror caps, black wheels, a red leather interior and a special metallic badge.
Source: CNBC