2020 Toyota GR Supra
Enthusiasts have been waiting for tears for another Toyota Supra. They were teased by the FT-1 concept with rumors floating around that it would be the hero car they dreamed up.
A generation of car fans only fantasized about the Supra that appeared in “The Fast and The Furious” movie franchise. They hoped for something like that, or something like the FT-1 concept.
Now, the Supra has returned. It is not exactly what some people have thought. What they got was a sports car with the venerated name applied to it.
There are a couple of explanations here. First off, the car was part of a collaboration deal between Toyota and BMW. This was one of the results of that deal – shared development of a sports car platform that would give BMW a new generation roadster, while Toyota will get a two-seater coupe.
Secondly, the acronym GR was added to the name. GR stands for Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s global motorsports division. The GR Supra is the first car sold in North America with that acronym applied to it.
With that, the GR Supra did take plenty of design elements from FT-1 concept onto a smaller, more concentrated platform. The result is a distinctly styled sports car that stands out anywhere it shows up at. It starts with a nose that reminds us of a modern racing car. Two triple-bulb LED headlamp units grace the front end above three deep grille slots. A clamshell hood creates the illusion of a long front end that reminds us of classic sports cars of the past.
The only nod to past Supras are the taillights. They are squished between the hatchback and rear bumper. The hatchback sprouts a rear spoiler, while the lower part of the bumper has an aggressive diffuser with a center backup lamp and two chrome exhaust tips. The result is a sports car that breaks tradition from past Supras for today’s enthusiasts.
Stepping inside the Supra will be a challenge for tall drivers. The roofline is low, yet it is also accommodating. The “humps” on the roof allow for taller drivers to gain headroom behind the wheel. There’s only seating for two, and both seats offer deep bolstering that is comfortable and supportive.
The driver has access to a BMW-influenced cabin with several nods to Toyota’s co-development. Ergonomically superior, you have access to a digital instrument cluster, and controls for all functions with a hand’s reach. The infotainment system is also accessed by a dial, known as Supra Connect, and controls on the steering wheel. Though we wished the high-mounted infotainment screen was more canted to the driver and brighter to see.
The hatchback opens up high to a 10.2 cubic feet of cargo space. It may seem like a small space, but it is sizeable enough for luggage for the weekend for two.
The real magic is underneath the hood. The 335-horsepower 3.0-liter turbocharged in-line six-cylinder engine revs high and acts with urgency. An eight-speed automatic transmission send power to the rear wheels, as expected in a sports car. The shifts are smooth, and you do hear the downshifts from the exhaust system. For more excitement, press the Sport button on the center console for higher revs and a louder exhaust note. You can control the shifts with the paddles behind the steering wheel.
We also experienced an average fuel consumption of 27.3 MPG.
The GR Supra is planted and corners extremely well. The steering system is sharp and offers a lot of control through the turns. The result is quick handling in evasive maneuvers. Sport mode adds extra weight on the steering for more precise control.
Braking is excellent in the Supra. Pedal feel is great with superb response down to the wheels. We found the stops as good as expected for a car in its class, with excellent response in panic situations.
Ride quality is not as firm as you expect in a sports car. The Supra suspension is best described as compliant on rougher roads and balanced on smoother ones. If you want a firmer ride, put the GR Supra in Sport mode. You may feel plenty of bumps as the dampers tighten up.
All of this comes as a surprising price. The 2020 GR Supra starts at $49,990. Our 3.0 Premium tester came with a sticker price of $56,195.
Toyota has changed the Supra’s legacy to this two-seat sports car instead of a bigger 2+2 coupe. The GR Supra is now positioned in a segment that yields some compelling rivals. Those rivals include the Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman, BMW Z4, Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, Nissan 370Z, and Audi TT.
No matter if you’re a BMW enthusiast or a Supra fan, this new 2020 Toyota GR Supra could be your next sports car. It has the right moves, the right temper, and the right driver engagement to make it yours.
Story Credits: CarSoup Editors
