There's A 2.0-Litre Toyota Supra And It Could Replace The GT86
The canapés are barely cold after the global launch of the new Toyota Supra, but already there’s huge new news. Four-cylinder options have been confirmed as expected, but there’s more: one of them has just 3bhp more than the GT86.
Toyota in Japan has gone public with the four-pot engines that are headed for the A90 Supra. Both are turbocharged 2.0-litre units borrowed from BMW, with the more powerful of the twins coughing up 258bhp at 5000-6500rpm on top of peak torque of 295lb ft from 1550-4400rpm. That will make it good for a limited 155mph and a 0-62mph sprint in 5.2 seconds. Like the 3.0-litre car, the 2.0-litre ones will be automatic.
The second of the two turbocharged 2.0-litre engines has 200bhp, placing it right on the nose of the 197bhp GT86. Despite being about 140kg heavier, the Supra will be markedly quicker thanks to its extra torque and ZF automatic gearbox. Its 6.5-second launch to 62mph easily beats the 86’s 7.6 seconds.
As such there’s furious speculation that the base model Supra – badged Supra SZ in Japan – will kill the GT86 off. We’re not convinced, given that the GT86 starts at around £25,000 and the 3.0-litre Supra – Japan’s RZ – is way up over £50,000. Even the cheapest Supra is unlikely to fall below £35,000.
The four-cylinder Supra saves some 70kg at the nose, according to the initial reports. That could really boost the car’s handling dynamics, especially considering that BMW is claiming a 50:50 weight distribution for the, ahem, quite similar new Z4. The dynamic diamond that is the GT86 also has wonderful balance but with more chassis flex and body roll. Perhaps it’s different enough to survive alongside a 200bhp Supra… or perhaps not.
At the moment the four-banger Supras are confined to the Japanese market alone, but it’s not very likely to stay that way. Only time will tell whether the Supra and GT86 will be able to coexist.
Comments
I’m not fussed really… I like the ‘86, but I also like the A90 more… Can’t wait to see new car on the roads
Automatic…
Supra Vs The World be like
Note that the 4 pot is only available in Japan meaning that the GT86 will likely still be available elsewhere
In my opinion, I don’t have too much of an issue with the BMW-ness of the car (even though Toyota could’ve at least made the engine, but that’s just minor). The real issue I have is how the Supra has fallen while it’s past rivals have gone so far and evolved so much so. The R35 has nearly 600 hp, the NSX also near 600 hp. The Corvette is nudging 750 hp and the viper (while gone) touched 650 hp. And almost all of these cars could’ve co-existed with a less powerful counterpart (Honda Civic Type R or Nissan 370Z). But what Toyota have done is given the new Supra the exact same power as the MK4, which is over 20 years old now. It’s now no longer fighting Corvettes and Vipers (Like it was intended to in the FIRST PLACE), rather now almost getting beat by a hatchback. Even worse now is the fact that the 4 cyl version could terminate the huge fan base the 86 so carefully made since 2012.
Coming from an 86 owner myself. I just hope that they pull it together and realize what’s at stake here.
But on the other hand, all of their rivals got a lot more expensive, and thus out of reach for a lot of car enthusiasts. I don’t see that as a fail more than staying in the line of what a Supra has always been: a sports car engineered to give you a good driving experience without relying on huge amounts of power.
Why not call 4 cylinders Supra a Celica 🤔
I don’t think they’re going to kill it, being the GT86 a good entry-level sports car. They should keep both, so buyers can have a choice. Also, there’s a big following for it, so it would be a loss…
I like that the Japanese names are the old A80 Supra’s trim names
Damn does that GT86 look so much better than the Supra
If that happens, goodbye cheap 86’s