Experience the All-New Toyota Supra: A Legendary Sports Car

The Toyota Supra, the Japanese brand’s halo sports car, has been capturing headlines across the world for a few months now. Ending its seventeen-year hiatus, the all-new model has a lot riding on its shoulders. To experience it firsthand, Al Futtaim Toyota invited us to drive it at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

After a short press conference attended by drift champions Ahmad Al Ameri and Ahmad Daham, we were directed towards the main circuit. Here, we had the opportunity to drive three laps in convoy and experience three more from the passenger seat. With the Supra being a highly regarded nameplate in enthusiast circles, expectations were high, and it seems to have delivered, for the most part at least.

Development and Design

As many of you may already know, the all-new Toyota Supra was co-developed with BMW—much in the same way as the Toyota 86 was co-developed with Subaru—and so it shares several components with the all-new Z4. These include:

• Engine
• Transmission
• Interior design and fittings
• Several other components

However, the most surprising change comes in the form of the Supra’s dimensions. While older models of the Supra were more on the scale of grand tourers and permitted four seats, the new Supra is very much a compact sports car. With the overall length matching that of the 86, the new Supra is quite small (both inside and out), but since it is lower, wider, and has a shorter wheelbase, it drives quite differently from its younger sibling, the 86.

Performance on the Track

Out on the track, the 2020 Toyota Supra came into its element with the simple press of a ‘Sport’ button on the center console. This feature improved the throttle response, opened the valves in the exhaust system, and relaxed the traction and stability control systems, albeit not as much as we wished. Flaunting a perfect 50/50 weight distribution, the Supra handled corners well and provided an engaging experience behind the wheel, balancing its way between understeer and oversteer at each corner.

Event Coverage

CLICK HERE TO WATCH OUR COVERAGE OF THE EVENT

Engine Specifications

The 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with its twin-scroll turbo is said to produce 335 Hp and 500 Nm of torque. However, independent tests by owners in other countries have shown that Toyota has underquoted its power figures. Tweaked by Toyota’s in-house Gazoo Racing team, the Supra produces more power than the Z4 it shares its underpinnings with. To celebrate this, the Supra is embellished with subtle ‘GR’ badges on its rear.

Transmission and Driving Experience

While the engine is worthy of praise, the real highlight of the all-new Supra is the ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. It shifts through gears swiftly and smoothly, performing excellently when left in ‘Drive’ and even better when shifted manually using the paddles behind the steering wheel. This allows for nearly full control, enabling downshifts into lower gears while maintaining high speeds through corners.

The only gripe (possibly due to its short wheelbase) is that the new Supra can feel twitchy and unstable when braking at high speeds. With inertia working against it, the Supra dips its nose forward, causing the rear to become extremely light, swaying from side to side. The traction control system is also a bit too enthusiastic, cutting power when entering or exiting a bend at high speeds—something that might have been preventable with a Track setting.

Sound and Acceleration

The throaty exhaust note is deep and much more exciting than we anticipated. After some speed runs, we enjoyed hearing a few crackles and pops from the tailpipes. For those interested in the numbers, the new Supra is expected to hit 100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds (it felt fast) and reach a top speed of 250 km/h, which we were unable to achieve during the lead-and-follow convoy drive.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Despite being an all-out sports car, the new Supra hasn’t compromised on comfort and convenience features. It includes:

• 14-way power adjustable seats
• 12-speaker JBL audio system
• 8.8-inch infotainment screen

You could say it balances sportiness and everyday usability exceptionally well.

Conclusion

All in all, the new Supra is a great sports car, and it makes enthusiasts like me extremely happy to see the legendary nameplate back on showroom floors. Prices in the UAE range from AED 229,000 to AED 231,000, depending on the color you choose.