The Toyota Supra’s Return is Now Official!
Almost 16 years after the end of the Toyota Supra’s production, in 2002, the automaker has officially announced that their famed sports car will make a comeback. Introduced in 1978 with the code name A40, the original Supra was followed by three more generations: the A60 in 1981, the A70 in 1986 and the A80 in 1993. Who doesn’t remember the fourth generation, a mythical car that never really ceased to exist in video games. It also starred in the first instalment of the Fast & Furious movie series, in which is certainly would’ve won an Oscar.
Toyota presented the GR Supra Racing Concept at the Geneva Auto Show, which hints at what the future Supra will look like. Surprisingly, it was unveiled in the form of a race car, but in fact, it’s a marketing tactic as Toyota wants to associate a legendary car with its Gazoo Racing team, the latter being well known in Japan. Toyota is mulling the idea of using Gazoo Racing to promote its performance-oriented vehicles, but in North America, that’s TRD’s mission.
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What we know
The concept is a rear-wheel-drive, two-door sport coupe built using lightweight materials. At the rear, we find a massive wing, the Supra’s trademark cosmetic add-on. Extensive use of carbon fibre also makes the car extremely light. The Supra will be jointly developed with BMW, who’ll use the same platform for its upcoming BMW Z4.
No details were announced regarding powertrain or production schedule, as Toyota is keeping quiet on the subject, but we’ll try to find out a little more during our encounters with company engineers.
The number 90 on the car’s flanks is a historic reference to the Supra’s code name, and an important visual cue announcing the fifth-generation model. Obviously, the Supra will be highlighted through the company’s racing efforts, and it will definitely spearhead several series such as the World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of LeMans.
What we believe
According to rumours, the car could receive a turbocharged, 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine, which is already found in new Lexus products, and could produce about 340 horsepower. It will be connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission—no manual will be available. Also in the rumour mill is that the Supra could hit the market in 2019 as a 2020 model. We think the production version could turn up at the upcoming New York Auto Show.