Only a few names in the motoring world can create both excitement and nostalgia. The Toyota Supra does just that. With all the anticipation and fanfare, does the 2020 Toyota Supra live up to all of it?
The Toyota Supra Heritage
The original Supra was launched in 1978 and it was based on the popular Toyota Celica. This continued to the second generation, the A60, with Toyota still basing the Supra on the Celica platform.
The third generation broke this tradition with Toyota separately designing the A70 Supra. This model was sold from 1986 to 1993.
In 1993 came the fourth generation Supra, the A80, which to many people is the version that they are familiar with thanks to its inclusion in The Fast and the Furious film. It has since become a pop culture icon.
Now after more than 20 years since Toyota launched the previous Supra, they finally introduced the fifth generation, the A90. It still uses a turbocharged inline-six engine, this time developed by BMW.
Why the Partnership with BMW?
A lot of Toyota fans were naturally a bit worried when they found out that Toyota was partnering with BMW to create this all-new Supra. They feared it would be a complete break from tradition.
So why did Toyota work with BMW to produce this coupe? Simply put, it’s to save money on the design and production. Creating an all-new vehicle, especially if you will be using an all-new platform, is very expensive. Partnering with another car manufacturer who already has everything that you need makes perfect business sense. And that’s what Toyota did here.
Toyota knew that for their new Supra to be a Supra they needed an inline-six engine and BMW had one already in production. Aside from that, the German company had the reputation of producing reliable and powerful engines so the decision to use their engine was a fairly easy one for Toyota.
The new Supra is based on the BMW Z4, sharing the same components from the engine to the chassis and also the suspension. However, a car is more than just its parts. It’s also on its personality and on how well it drives and the 2020 Toyota Supra doesn’t disappoint. It’s the same amazing sports car and grand tourer that enthusiasts can expect. You just need to look past this Supra’s BMW DNA.
What’s New to the 2020 Toyota Supra
Let’s start with the design. Make no mistake about it, while it’s a great track day car, the 2020 Toyota Supra was also designed to be an everyday vehicle. You just look great driving it around your town.
It looks and feels athletic, lush, and exciting, all at the same time. It has a double-bubble roof reminiscent of the iconic 2000GT which was introduced in 1967. This nice roof feature makes the Supra aerodynamic while adding more interior space to accommodate tall drivers. You’ll appreciate it more when you wear a helmet on Track day.
Toyota said the front of the car was inspired by the fourth generation Supra, with the latest model being more extensive. The back will also remind enthusiasts of the fourth gen, with an integrated wing that improves the aerodynamics of the vehicle.
The cabin, on the other hand, has the look and feel of a BMW especially since it uses iDrive controls and that familiar shifter. However, that does not mean it’s a bad thing. On the contrary, the cabin looks and feels high-end and the dashboard functional.
The Specs | 2020 Toyota GR Supra
The two-seater 2020 Toyota GR Supra is equipped with a 3.0 turbocharged inline-six engine capable of producing 335 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, making it Toyota’s fastest production vehicle as of this writing. It has a top speed of 155 mph.
Power is distributed by an 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode. This is where most enthusiasts are concerned with as they expected or clamored for the Supra to have a stick shift. However, most car reviewers justified Toyota’s use of an automatic as the transmission is responsive with a minimal feel of gear-hunting.
It has two drive modes, Normal and Sport. The latter is obviously more tuned to aggressive driving. It adjusts the steering wheel’s stiffness and making the throttle and transmission more responsive.
The Supra uses a double-joint McPherson strut front suspension and multi-link independent rear. This setup is really quite effective in making the drive comfortable while still maintaining that sporty feel.
Finally, it uses 4-piston Brembo calipers to give the Supra that much-needed stopping power. The performance Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires are installed on the 19-inch forged alloy wheels, giving the car a tight grip on the road particularly when cornering.
Toyota Supra | It’s Still Legendary
The all-new 2020 Toyota Supra balances function and comfort. While it has BMW inputs and the heritage of the previous Supras, this latest offering is still a whole new car of its own. It has its own personality and appeal that die-hard Supra fans will love.
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