2020 Toyota GR Supra

Toyota GR Supra

AGGRESSIVE: The 2020 Toyota GR Supra. CREDIT: Toyota

THE new Toyota Supra has been a long time in the making, seven years to be precise, and 21 since the Supra moniker was last used on a Toyota performance car.

It was teased at the 2014 Detroit motor show back in 2014 when it was then called the FT-1 Concept.

Since then it has had the internet awash with theories, eager rumours and even criticism, mostly down to the announcement that the new Supra would be produced in collaboration with BMW.

Its not the first time Toyota has partnered with a fellow manufacturer to produce a new model, the GT86/Subaru BRZ, and Aygo/Peugeot 108/Citroen C1 combinations have all been hugely successful.

Purists hated the fact that the new Supra wasn’t a thoroughbred Toyota like the its iconic predecessor, however, as explained by Toyota’s president Akio Toyoda, the heart and soul of the Supra is its straight six engine.

Toyota ceased production of the straight six engines many years ago so for this model they would have to create a whole new engine, not financially viable, so they went to the company well known for making some of the most powerful and exciting straight six’s on the market, BMW.

They also took good chunks of the chassis from the German marque too including running gear, engine, gearbox and large chunks of the interior, all borrowed from the BMW Z4.

First thing you notice about the new model is its appearance. Low, stout and aggressive. Careful consideration was taken by designers to pay homage to the previous model. Huge front intakes, wide arches and aggressive 19-inch alloy wheels purvey the cars intentions. 

It will come in classic Toyota colours, Prominence Red, Lightning Yellow and Deep Blue Metallic. An additional new Matt Storm Grey is featured on the Toyota GR Supra A90 Edition, an exclusive launch model reserved for the first 90 European customers.

Performance wise the Supra ticks all the right boxes. Under the bonnet sits BMW’s B58 single turbo 3.0-litre straight six, retuned by Toyota. It produces identical figures to its German stable mate, 335bhp and 369lb ft of torque all controlled by an eight-speed transmission with steering wheel paddle shift.

The interior blends performance and technology with an 8.8-inch high-definition driver’s instrument display and Toyota’s infotainment and navigation system. The cockpit is ergonomically designed to provide the driver with a fully immersive experience.

Specially shaped and tailored Alcantara seats and an asymmetric dash board layout envelop the driver with the layout taking direct inspiration from Toyota Gazoo Racing’s circuit racing experience.

UK Prices of the new Supra will start at £52,695 for the base model, £54,000 for the Pro model and £56,945 for the ultra rare A90 Edition.

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Written by

Ben Mulvey

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