Latest Toyota Supra is a car worthy of its iconic name
A COMBINATION of great handling and punchy performance makes Toyota’s two-door coupe a pleasure to drive.
The Supra bears one of the truly iconic names to remain in production in the automotive industry – and the history of the fifth-generation model is interesting.
The current model came about thanks to a partnership with BMW, the latest example of Toyota’s willingness to work with other automakers to make the economy work.
Toyota chose BMW as a partner on the project, staying true to the Supra’s heritage due to its ability to supply the car’s traditional straight-six engine.
A long bonnet and large headlights give the car character
While Toyota has history with the straight-six layout, it no longer builds them, and doing so would have delayed the project by several years, requiring a new engine design and even a new engine plant.
Therefore, the Supra shares platform, chassis, engine and transmission with the BMW Z4.
Still, it doesn’t lack individuality and personality – and it’s arguably a better looking car than its German cousin.
Under the hood, my test car was powered by a 3.0-liter unit that sends a whopping 335 hp and 500 Nm of torque to the rear wheels, aided by a twin-scroll turbocharger.
There’s also a 2.0-liter option with 254 hp.
The current Supra was launched in 2019, but the range has recently been expanded to include the manual transmission option reviewed here.
The sleek six-speed manual gearbox allows you to get the best possible performance out of the powerplant, making the drive even more engaging and giving the feeling of a real driver’s car.
It’s a good looking car from all angles
The power-to-weight ratio is very favorable for the car, meaning acceleration feels immediate and very lively.
The sporty dynamics of the Supra come into their own in curves, the wide, short wheelbase enables a mixture of agility, balance and grip.
In slippery conditions, the rear-wheel-drive setup offers a touch of snug rear-wheel dropout, but nothing too violent.
When you accelerate, there’s a rousing engine sound that puts a smile on your face and gives the Supra even more character.
For the price, you want a sports car that you can use every day if necessary, for example on the way to work.
The Supra achieves an acceptable level of practicality for everyday use with a decent, usable boot, reasonable legroom and a range of handy internal storage spaces.
It doesn’t ride too harshly over the bigger bumps and – while it wasn’t built with low running costs in mind – it achieves better fuel economy and lower emissions than many key competitors in this class.
The interior of the Supra is well designed
In terms of looks, there’s a nod to previous Supra designs with a long hood, big headlights and a tucked-in tail.
Inside, the equipment and build quality are impressive, while the infotainment system – including an 8.8-inch screen – is smooth and intuitive.
The driving position is low, while the seats are supportive and comfortable.
Whether or not the BMW partnership affects the Supra’s authenticity is a personal choice – but on its own it’s a great piece of work!
The low point
Toyota Supra 3.0 liters
ENGINE: 3.0 liter six-cylinder turbocharged petrol
PRICE: £54,485.00
ECONOMY: 32 mpg and 198 g/km
TRANSMISSION: Manual six-speed rear-wheel drive
MAX SPEED: 155mph
0-62 MPH: 4.3 seconds