After a frustratingly long build-up, the new 'A90' 2020 Toyota GR Supra has officially been revealed at the Detroit motor show.
The GR in the Supra’s title refers to Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s motorsport arm which is now responsible for developing sports-focused models as well as influencing the wider Toyota range.
The Supra name has been dormant since it went out of production in 2002 and its revival has been possible through a partnership with BMW, the Supra shares a platform and a host of components with the new Z4.
Toyota is quick to point out the new Supra is a car for the enthusiast, and as such, it uses the classic layout of a front-mounted engine driving the rear wheels.
Powering the Supra is a BMW sourced 3.0-litre twin-scroll turbocharged straight-six petrol engine that produces 250kW of power and 500Nm of torque. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.
With the help of Launch Control, acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h takes 4.3 seconds.
There will be four-cylinder engine options, Toyota's Japanese website isn’t wasting any time and has already listed the Supra with a turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine packing 145kW of power and 320Nm of torque.
There is still no word on whether or not a manual gearbox will be available to appease the purists.
Toyota is promising “an exhilarating blend of power, agility and precision handling, achieved thanks to the car's combination of a short wheelbase and wide track, lightweight, low centre of gravity and highly rigid body.”
Australian delivered cars will be fitted with an electronically controlled limited-slip differential.
According to Toyota, the Supra will feature greater structural rigidity than the Lexus LFA supercar, a centre of gravity lower than the 86 coupe, 50:50 front/rear weight distribution and a 1.55:1 "golden ratio" between the wheelbase length and track width.
Dimensionally, the new Supra measures in at 4381mm long, 1845mm wide and 1292mm tall with a 2468mm wheelbase. The front and rear tracks come in at 1595mm and 1590mm respectively. In terms of the heft, the Supra’s kerb weight is listed at 1540kg.
The Supra’s design is focused on achieving both optimum drag and lift characteristics, however, the styling draws inspiration from the fourth-generation Supra and the FT-1 concept car.
Up front, there’s a prominent central grille flanked by large air intakes and a long bonnet. The rear features a trapezoidal shaped rear bumper and an arching lip spoiler.
Toyota says the designers have packaged the Supra according to a "Condensed Extreme" philosophy which incorporates three principal elements: a short wheelbase, large wheels and wide stance; a taut, two-seat cabin; and a long bonnet with a compact body.
On the inside, Toyota claims to have produced “traditional GT elements with ultra-modern functionality” with the layout influenced by single-seater race cars.
The BMW influence is strong in the Supra’s cabin, the gear shifter, centre stack and screen are all from the Bavarian marque.
The new Supra isn't coming from Japan, it will be built alongside the Z4 by Magna Steyr in Austria.
Toyota Australia has confirmed approximately 300 cars will be available locally in the first 12 months, meaning fans may need to be quick to place a deposit. An Australian launch will take place late in 2019 with full specifications and pricing to be confirmed closer to the launch date.
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