I'm Driving A Toyota Supra For Three Months: What Do You Want To Know?
A few weeks ago I asked CT editor Matt if CT’s pool of long-term test cars could expand, giving us on the social media team something to use instead of one of my many shitboxes. A car which might actually get me to a shoot location without the threatening breaking down every five minutes.
I was thinking a base spec Civic or an maybe a Hyundai i30, if we’re really pushing the boat out, perhaps a Golf diesel? I’m told, however, that you guys would find it far more interesting if we found out what it’s like to run a 2020 Toyota GR Supra, and here we are. Consider me a very happy chappy indeed.
So here’s my first press car, a 2020 Toyota GR Supra finished in ‘Ice Grey Metallic’; funnily enough metallic paint being the car’s only option available in this trim. Other than some winter tyre covers and the paint, there aren’t any boxes to tick on the spec list, but that’s ok because it’s far from sparse inside. It’s got the regular assortment of modern trinkets - wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay, an 8.8 inch touch screen, and most notably the adaptive cruise control which I’ll be using most of the time I’m driving it.
Under the bonnet is a 3.0-litre BMW ‘B58’ turbocharged inline-six, which is good for 335bhp. The UK market won’t be getting the 377bhp version of the engine recently revealed for the refreshed Supra in the US, but no matter - in reality these powerplants are massively understated. According to the official figures, you’re looking at a 0-62mph time of 4.7 seconds.
It’s impressive enough on paper, but reception to the car has been mixed. When we put the Supra the test against other new sports cars like the BMW M2 Competition and Alpine A110, it held its own but lacked any discernible USP. And yes, the fact it’s more BMW than Toyota has gotten people’s noses out of joint, particularly as the Japanese company has since built the highly bespoke GR Yaris. Nissan, meanwhile, is making an all-new Z-car without any outside help, although we won’t be getting that in Europe.
Given time with it, however, perhaps the GR Supra can win us over. Put us at peace with the BMW side of the equation. But for now, I’d like to hear what you’d like to see from the Supra over the next few months - bring the comments!
Comments
How it compares to the z4 - is the ride better or worse, is it more fun, etc. And given the choice, which you would have.
Already sorted that one! https://www.carthrottle.com/post/toyota-a90-supra-vs-bmw-z4-how-similar-are-they-to-drive/
it’s ability to drift stock compared to the 86
Is it possible to “unlook” all the BMW elements and enjoy the cabin?
It was very noticeable at first, and well, even now. However I’ve come to terms with it and I reckon I’d rather be using BMW interior componentry than the Toyota equivalent anyway.
How easy is it to live with it? How comfortable it is? Is it easy to drive around town, or take on a trip?
To me this is the real purpose of the A90. It’s a comfortable (but fun when you feel like being a child) daily. Really easy to live with when you leave all the sport modes off and just stick in drive. I’d have one in a heartbeat as a daily. I just wouldn’t have it as my fun weekend car.
I’d like to know how the steering feels (natural, too, heavy, too light, too artificial?), what the interior quality is like, what kind of presence it has on the road and whether you’d choose it over the Z4 or identical cars in the segment. Lastly, if there is still some genuine “Toyota” in it.
I’m used to 90s/00s shitboxes so to me it feels laser sharp and really light. However Matt could give a more accurate comparison to other cars in its segment.
The interior quality is good. It feels alot like the mid tier BMWs in terms of materials and finish, but to me at least it does have a few of its own unique design characteristics when you ignore the iDrive and BMW screen.
It definitely has road presence. I find that nearly every person I drive past looks at it and multiple people have stopped me to ask about it. I’m not a fan of that stuff but it certainly proves people are looking.
In terms of ‘Genuine Toyota’ feel. When you drive it, not really, no. If you close your eyes (highly unadvisable) you really do feel like you’re in an M lite BMW. However as a package I think it looks very in keeping with the A80 and I struggle to believe that if Toyota built it all themselves, that it’d turn out much different.
Does the interior really feel like a BMW or only if you nitpick?
idk if that’s too big of a stretch, but is it possible to fit the new exhaust manifold with six ports on the euro spec car (The guys at Evolve might be able to help you out there). Also, did Toyota add any of the suspension and bracing upgrades that the us spec Supra received?