After what seems like an eternity, Toyota has confirmed the Supra will be resurrected.
The Japanese brand announced the return of the famous nameplate at the world premiere of the dramatically styled Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept.
In an effort to keep development costs low, the new Supra has been developed in collaboration with BMW. The Supra will share a platform and powertrains with the next-generation Z4.
Toyota Australia will no doubt be excited, the initial enthusiasm for the 86 has diminished leaving room for a new sports orientated model.
Toyota Australia's vice-president sales and marketing Sean Hanley said the racing concept reflected the global company's focus on using motorsport to help accelerate development of production models.
"Supra is one of the most beloved Toyota cars of all time and its nameplate continues to command enormous respect," Mr Hanley said.
"There has been huge public interest in a modern revival of the Supra legend - and this concept points to a sports car deserving of the famous name," he said.
"Revealing a racing concept ahead of a production model highlights that motorsport is Toyota's proving ground of choice for high-performance vehicles.
"The GR Supra Racing Concept makes it clear Toyota is developing the Supra to be a true driver's car."
It’s unlikely the final production Supra will resemble the GR Supra Racing Concept, Toyota claims it provides a “huge visual clue” as to what it will look like when the covers come off.
The large "90" race number on the doors represents the codename of the fifth-generation Supra, following the A40, A60, A70 and A80 series produced between 1978 and 2002.
The GR Supra Racing Concept makes use of lightweight composite materials for elements such as the wide front and rear bumpers, front splitter and rear diffuser, side skirts, door mirror housings and the large rear wing.
In a bid to keep the weight down, the windscreen and side windows are made of plastic.
The car rides on BBS racing wheels with centre-nut attachment wrapped with Michelin racing tyres. Stopping power comes from Brembo racing callipers and discs.
Inside the car, every aspect is competition-focused, there’s a racing dashboard, safety harness, a quick-release steering wheel mounted on a racing column and equipped with a paddle-shift system.
A full roll cage and fire extinguishers are fitted, while the fuel and brake lines along with the wiring loom all meet competition standard.
The GR in the name of the concept comes from Toyota GAZOO Racing the brand’s motorsport arm which also developed the GR Super Sport Concept.
Toyota didn't confirm when the production Supra is likely to make it to showrooms, however, if history is anything to go by, following the reveal of the C-HR Racing at the 2016 Geneva motor show, the car arrived in dealerships almost a year later.
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