To find out the answer to the question, you'll have to watch the video from our YouTube channel, where Diogo already had the opportunity to drive the new Toyota GR Supra, both on the road and on the circuit (in Jarama, north of Madrid).
As Diogo says in the video, “we shouldn't judge a car before driving it”. The new Supra has been a hot topic among enthusiasts, but until now we only knew it “on paper”, so it's easy to empathize with more hardcore fans.
the controversy
This is a Toyota Supra different from all its predecessors, as it results from a collaboration with another manufacturer, in this case BMW — according to Toyota, only an initial collaboration, in defining the essential parameters of the platform, after which each builder followed a specific development path.
It was the possible solution — nowadays, with rising costs and falling sales, the only really viable way to have a sports car designed from scratch seems to be to join forces between different manufacturers. In the case of BMW and Toyota, it allowed us to have another generation of the Z4 and the return of the Supra name.
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Had Toyota, through Gazoo Racing, which led the development of the project, trod the course for a new Supra alone, it would have ended up having a much higher price than the one it presents, which would put its commercial viability in question. Reason that justify the generous use of so many BMW components, especially the most controversial of all: the engine.
Much of the Supra's identity has always passed through an inline six-cylinder block, culminating in the legendary 2JZ-GTE that powered the ultimate Supra, the A80. Developing an engine from scratch was out of the question because of the costs involved, but BMW is not lacking in in-line six-cylinder blocks, which have been part of the manufacturer since practically the beginning of its existence — what better development partner could you have for this occasion?
With the Bavarian brand's B58, came the eight-speed automatic transmission, electronics and the infotainment system — components that end up being interconnected. How does it affect the character of the new Toyota GR Supra?
At the wheel
There is only one way to find out and that is to sit down at the controls of the new machine, put the lever in “D” and… goosebumps. Driving impressions, both on the road and on a circuit, will be Diogo's description of them, but I can give you some clues as to what to expect.The Toyota GR Supra has a higher level of structural rigidity than the Lexus LFA — this one, mostly in carbon fiber — the center of gravity is lower than that of a GT86 which, remember, is equipped with a low boxer engine, and it's also shorter than this one — for the first time in its history, Supra is a two-seater.
Despite around 1500 kg (without driver), are always 340 hp and 500 Nm , transmitted to the rear axle through the already mentioned eight-speed automatic transmission, which allows reaching 100 km/h in just 4.3s and quickly reaching the electronically limited 250 km/h.
The ingredients are there… Does the way they were prepared and ready to serve make this Supra a worthy heir to the name it bears? Find out now…
In Portugal
The new Toyota GR Supra arrives on the national market in July for 81,000 euros, with only one level of equipment, the most complete, unlike what happens in other markets where there are two levels.
So we'll just have the level legacy (called Premium in other European markets), which means that “our” Supra also come with bi-zone air conditioning, adaptive cruise control, start button, leather steering wheel, adaptive LED headlights, rain sensor and rear camera , will also have leather sports seats (electrically adjustable and heated) a JBL audio system with 12 speakers, head-up display and wireless charger for the smartphone.
The infotainment system features an 8.8″ touchscreen controlled by a rotary control — effectively BMW's i-Drive system. It also has Apple CarPlay.