Toyota Supra review | Auto-Express

The Toyota Supra combines balance, agility, grip and poise with a powerful six-cylinder engine that delivers a punch of power and (mostly) the thrilling engine note we were looking for. Whether or not Toyota’s collaboration with BMW influences the authenticity of the Supra is up to you. But there is no doubt that this is a coupe of real talent and welcome character, at a time when those traits should be praised.

The BMW M2 Competition is a rougher, rougher rival and the Porsche 718 Cayman offers more comfortable handling, but the Supra is a great car on its own that works very well on UK roads.

There are few real automotive icons left, but the Toyota Supra is one of them. However, it is also fair to say that this fifth generation model’s pregnancy was quite lengthy.

Now the Supra is here in series specification, we’re starting with the elephant in the room: Toyota’s collaboration with BMW in the development of this A90-generation Supra sports car.

Both brands committed themselves to the characteristics of the common platform at an early stage. According to Toyota, this meant a short wheelbase and wide track, so the Supra’s wheel spacing is actually less than that of a GT86, while its center of gravity is lower.

After the fundamental decision, the two companies went their separate ways to develop the cars with a toolbox of parts and components. Or so goes the story.

Interestingly, the Supra’s chief engineer Tetsuya Tada told Auto Express that the car’s chassis actually uses some components from the next generation of BMW M cars. This then intends to be a serious, pure sports car and the rest of the trim list supports that.

Of course, with prices starting at around £ 46,000, the Supra has to do more than just drive well. This is a car that many commute and explore the track’s performance on any given day.

The engines now include a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with 254 horsepower, along with the original 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that develops an impressive 335 horsepower.

The 2.0-liter car is offered with the equipment variant Pro and as a limited Fuji Speedway Edition, while the more powerful 3.0-liter model is available in the standard Supra or in the Pro specification.

The specs are decent enough to mean you don’t have to splash on the Pro unless you want a head-up display, wireless phone charger, full leather trim, and other select goodies.

To a certain extent, the Supra can compete against the Porsche 718 Cayman, the Alpine A110, the Audi TT and the Jaguar F-Type as well as the only convertible BMW Z4. Perhaps the greatest challenge is the excellent BMW M2 Competition – an angular sports car that gets a “real” BMW M six-cylinder engine, more power and a spectacular chassis both on the road and on the racetrack. As a gentler everyday offer, however, the Supra is a good argument in itself.