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TOYOTA SUPRA

Supra Dupra! Behind the Wheel of Toyota’s All-New Sportscar

January 31, 2020 by admin 3 Comments

The remarkable 2020 Toyota GR Supra.

The wait is over. At least it was for this writer. Nearly one year after seeing the 2020 Toyota Supra displayed on the floor of the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place, a handsome example of one appeared in my test fleet rotation. Years of following the Supra’s on-again, off-again return finally paid off.

Let’s get a few things out of the way about the latest Supra, which is officially called the GR Supra.

First, the new model shares its architecture with the BMW Z4. Toyota slipped its own body on the platform, made some suspension adjustments, and supplied its own interior. Everything else, including the chassis, engine, and transmission are all BMW.

Second, rumors that some Supra faithful are stunned to discover the BMW connection after its introduction are simply absurd. Enthusiasts knew about the BMW relationship, something Toyota shared early on. Further, the GR Supra and Z4 are built side-by-side at a Magna Steyr factory in Austria.

Toyota Taps BMW

Why did Toyota work with BMW to bring back the Supra? For the simple reason that Toyota wasn’t about to sink more than $1 billion into developing, designing, and engineering an all-new model, likely never recouping the cost of its investment. Better to share these costs with another manufacturer than to not build this sportscar at all. Certainly, they could have chosen the latter, but Toyota decided to resurrect the model.

Besides, with car demand so low, the BMW connection is a low-risk proposition. The partners can work together for six to eight years before bringing out next-generation models. Or they might choose to go their separate ways. If they separate, don’t expect the Supra to endure.

So, there you have it.



Canvas by Toyota

With a canvas to create all its own, Toyota set out to make the Supra super and they nailed it. The silhouette is sportscar gorgeous with a form that is muscular through and through.

Upfront, the hood curves down to meet the fascia, which is marked by tear-drop shaped headlights with LED bulbs and accent lights. Deep cutouts at the corners connect the lower grille, which features a large intake that’s split into three sections by the bumper. The front-wheel bulges match the rear haunch, underscoring the powerful expression of this model.

Along the sides, the long hood, short greenhouse, and stubby tail are apparent. Sweeping body sculpting, a falling roofline, hood and side vents, and sport alloy wheels are features of note. From the rear, the look is in league with the Corvette, Jaguar F-Type, and Porsche 911, and is marked by a large liftgate, the pronounced haunch, and a diffuser with a pair of large exhaust tips. The rear lighting elements match the front, with cutouts extending from the lights to the bumper.

Inside, the cabin is sportscar tight, but even before you take a seat, you may need to lower your head considerably to get inside. I was “so over” frequently bumping my head that by the third day I made a concerted effort to slowly enter just as I carefully exited the Supra. But once inside, the snug vibe quickly takes over – if you’re much taller than six-feet, the amount of maneuverability to fit may not be to your liking. Yes, the front seats adjust, but there isn’t much room to move back as you’ll immediately press against the restraining bar that separates the cabin from the storage area. Fortunately, the steering column tilts and telescopes to supply a bit more space. But not much.

Creature Features

It’s easy to overlook the amenities offered with the Toyota Supra as much of the attention is on its looks and performance. That said, the latest Supra comes well equipped and is offered in 3.0 ($49,990) and 3.0 Premium ($53,990) guise. A Launch Edition variant ($55,250), limited to 1,500 buyers, is also available. Add $955 for the freight charge.

Choose the 3.0 and it comes with Alcantara/leather-trimmed seats and a 6.5-inch center touch-screen multimedia system with Bluetooth. Opt for the 3.0 Premium and this one has an 8.8-inch touchscreen multimedia system, navigation, Apple CarPlay, a 12-speaker JBL audio system, wireless phone charging, a color head-up display, and heated leather seats. As for the Launch Edition, here you’ll find 19-inch forged-aluminum twin-spoke wheels with a matte-black finish, Brembo 4-piston ventilated disc brakes with red calipers up front, glossy-red power-folding and heated side mirrors, heated red leather sport seats, and a serialized launch edition badge in carbon fiber.




On the safety front, all versions come with automatic high beams, collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and road sign recognition. An available Driver Assist Package ($1,195) brings in full-speed dynamic cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with an automatic rear braking function.

Power to the People

Anticipation is the name of the game when testing any new model, especially one with performance cred. What’s so interesting about the current or fifth-generation Supra, is that it once again comes with a 3.0-liter-turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine. The previous-generation model, last built in 2002 (1998 MY for the U.S.), produced 321 horsepower and 315 pound-feet of torque with a pair of turbochargers. Like the current model, power travels to the rear wheels by either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 4-speed automatic transmission.

The new model utilizes a BMW single-turbocharged (twin-scroll) engine generating 335 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. It works with a ZF-supplied 8-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Sadly, no manual transmission is offered, which certainly takes some of the joy away from driving this machine. I’ve had the pleasure of driving several models in recent years that still have a manual, including the Honda Civic Si, and absolutely enjoyed the experience. But Toyota looks at global demand and apparently the numbers do not support a manual. That’s a shame because it detracts from the awesomeness of this model.

Yes, the 2020 Supra is awesome! Once you get inside, adjust your seat, mirrors, and fasten your seatbelt, the anticipation builds to a fevered pitch. Take a look at your surroundings before engaging the ignition – the sporty cockpit and forward sightlines are the first promises of something wonderful on tap. Start the ignition and the inline-six springs to life with the exhaust system responding with a reassuring grumble.

You’re hugging the pavement in the Supra with a ground clearance of 4.5 inches, or slightly higher than the F-Type’s 4.21 inches. Its aerodynamic design is ideal for cutting through resistance and this is where the Supra begins to reveal its prowess.

Surprising to some, the single turbo of the new model is less laggy than the twin-turbo of the other model. Turbo tech has certainly improved over the past 25 years, but it’s still interesting to witness by how much. With the current Supra, power kicks in quickly and keeps delivering. The extra cogs in the current automatic transmission are a big advantage here, with a more precise rev realized under hard acceleration. Of course, this is where the loss of a manual is keenly felt as revs are maintained under full throttle when the gear is constant. You get a similar feel when operating the Supra in manual mode, so there is that. The loss of three-pedal foot action, however, is simply that – a loss.

The Supra is fast, benefiting from a tidy footprint and lightweight body to make good on its speed reputation. Toyota has its 0-60 mph time pegged at 4.1 seconds, while Car & Driver says it’s 3.8 seconds. Regardless, Toyota’s sports car is fast and a thrill to drive.



Dialing in the sport mode and the already sufficiently weighted steering adds girth. The gear shifts hold out a bit longer and the engine snarls slightly louder. The exhaust system becomes downright noisy, although I could have lived without the sound piping through the vents. At times, the dashboard hummed and rattled as backpressure noise invaded the cabin. Sorry, it isn’t a natural-sounding noise and totally unnecessary at that.

The Supra struts its stuff best on the open road, as expected. Take it down your favorite twisty expanse and this sports car feels absolutely at home. It handles curbs with ease and moves into corners with authority, then pulls out of the same with no rocking and rolling of note. In other words, the Supra is designed as a driver’s car with track aspirations part of its DNA. My favorite drives were wherever traffic was non-existent and slalom adventuring awaited. The Supra is a confidence-building sports car, very forgiving for the novice, and always ready to bring its best to a fight.

Dressed in summer tires, the Supra feels especially light on its feet. But it also feels heavy on cold days when summer tires should be swapped for all-season radials. There were days when I had to wait for temperatures to rebound before setting out – you don’t want to risk destroying your performance tires when temperatures stay below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. In any case, the current Supra has 13.7-inch vented discs up front and 13.6-inch brakes in the rear. They’re larger than the previous generation’s brakes, supplying this model with excellent stopping power.

It’s a Wrap

The 2020 Toyota GR Supra does what it must do to live up to the model’s name. It was a long time coming with various prototypes offered, including the FT-1. Nearly a decade ago, Toyota trademarked the name, which gave us the first hint a new model was in the offing. Yet, despite rumors, hints, and promises, it took years for the current iteration to emerge.

In the intervening years, the consumer market changed dramatically as shoppers left cars for crossovers. A few manufacturers are dropping sedans in droves with some, such as Ford, abandoning everything except for the Mustang.
Speaking of the Mustang, the Supra is a worthy competitor although it is considerably smaller than the pony car and its two competitors, the Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro. The Supra is more in line with the Nissan 370Z, although the Z is woefully outdated.

The Supra’s high price point may unnerve some, but it is earned. Like the Land Cruiser, Toyota has some room to offer pricey models that aren’t a Lexus. We also must not forget the BMW connection as the Z4 is a wonderful car in its own right. The Bimmer has luxury shoppers in mind, while the Toyota is all about drawing in long ago Supra owners while showcasing the brand’s performance chops.

All in all, the Supra succeeds even without the option of a manual transmission. We can also dream about a convertible variant someday, which could prove a sales clincher for some.



2020 Toyota GR Supra Specifications


Toyota 2020 GR Supra
Segment Sports car
Price Range $49,995 to $55,250
Destination Charge $955
Standard Engine 3.0-liter, turbo I6
Horsepower 335 @ 5,000 to 6,000 rpm
Torque (lb.-ft.) 365 @ 1,600 to 4,500 rpm
Transmission 8-speed automatic with manual mode
Seating 2
Curb Weight (pounds) 3,397
Wheelbase (inches) 97.2
Length (inches) 172.5
Width (inches) 73.0
Height (inches) 50.9
Head room (f,r…inches) 38.3
Legroom (f,r…inches) 42.2
Shoulder room (f,r…inches) 54.4
Hip room (f,r…inches) 54.2
Storage (cubic feet) 10.2
Gross vehicle weight rating (pounds) 4,001
Towing (pounds) NR
Payload (pounds) NR
Fuel premium
Fuel Tank (gallons) 13.7
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway/combined) 24/31/26
Manufacturing Plant Graz, Austria by Magna Steyr

Data compiled by Tom Keegan. Specifications supplied by the manufacturer.


See Also — Toyota Supra: One Step Closer to Production Reality

Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: BMW Z4, GR Supra, inline-six, Magna Steyr, rear-wheel drive, sportscar, Toyota, TOYOTA SUPRA, turbo

About the 2020 Toyota GR Supra

January 30, 2019 by admin

The Supra is coming! The Supra is coming!

If you’re part of the Toyota Supra fandom, you’ve heard this exclamation for the better part of a decade, perhaps longer. More than two decades have passed since the last Supra was sold in North America, although it soldiered on in Japan until 2002.

But now we know for certain that a new Supra is on its way, thanks in large part to BMW, which had a significant hand in ensuring that Toyota’s sports car had a chance to return. Indeed, the platform, powertrain and other significant components are all BMW as this model shares much of its running gear with the all-new BMW Z4.

2020 Toyota GR Supra
The fifth-generation Supra arrives this summer.

Here’s what we know about the 2020 GR Toyota Supra:

1. It has been a long time coming.

Toyota teased us with what many thought would be the fifth-generation Supra as far back as 2007. That’s when the automaker rolled out the FT-HS concept, which stood for Future Toyota-Hybrid Sports. Yes, a hybrid sports car. The concept featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine and an advanced hybrid drive system, which together sent power to the rear wheels. With approximately 400 hp at the ready, this was one fast sports car.

Alas, the FT-HS never materialized and it took another seven years before a concept of Supra proportions emerged. That’s when Toyota unveiled the 2014 FT-1, which featured elements of the FT-HS and previous Toyota sports cars, including the MR2, Supra, and 2000GT. The FT-1 may be considered the forerunner to the 2020 GR Supra.

2. The Supra only happened because of BMW.

BMW and Toyota are competitors, especially at the BMW-Lexus level. The two luxury brands battle for top sales in the U.S., only to trail Mercedes-Benz in recent years. That said, when it comes to the auto industry, strange bedfellows sometimes make great collaborators, especially where money is involved.

2020 Toyota GR Supra

No doubt, Toyota would not have ever brought back the Supra if they had to build the model from scratch. The cost involved would likely have blown well past $1 billion for a vehicle that will only be built in fairly small numbers. Highly conservative Toyota would never approve of such a deal, but with flashy Akio Toyoda at the helm of the company, the Supra project became a reality. How much Toyota pays BMW for the right to produce this vehicle isn’t known.

3. Toyota brings the styling.

Everything about the 2020 Supra is Toyota, at least when it comes to its style. The skin is unmistakably Japanese or at least it features a look derived from previous Toyota products (the Supra was actually designed at the company’s design studio in California).

Inside, the cabin is driver-focused, as expected. The instrument panel is unique to Toyota, while the switchgear is chiefly BMW. The centered rev gauge looks like something you’d find in Porsche. As for the touchscreen, it is bolted on top of the dashboard.

2020 Toyota GR Supra

4. BMW supplies the performance.

This is where Supra purists may have the most difficult time with the all-new model. There isn’t much of a Toyota imprint here as the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six used by BMW in the Z4 and elsewhere motivates this sports car. The engine is no slouch as it makes 335 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed to the rear wheels by means of an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The transmission choice is the only one available, which means there isn’t a manual gearbox to be had. This isn’t surprising, especially as paddle shifters are and demand for “rowing your own” can be measured in the low single digits. Nevertheless, a 0-60 mph time of about 4 seconds may have drivers forgetting what they can’t have.

Toyota still has its influence on the way the Supra behaves, thanks in part to its adaptive suspension. Adjustments to stability control and the differential give this coupe its special flavor.

5. Made in Austria.

Both the BMW Z4 and the Toyota Supra will be made at the Magna Steyr manufacturing plant in Graz, Austria. The company is fairly unique in the automotive world as it is an automotive supplier with expertise in design, engineering, and full manufacturing. Notably, the Supra’s body stampings, liftgate, seats, and door latches are supplied by Magna Steyr.

2020 Toyota GR Supra

The company doesn’t build its own vehicles, but it manufactures cars for various customers. So far, Magna Steyr says it has produced more than 3.5 million vehicles for its clients. Production of the Toyota GR Supra will commence this spring.

2020 Toyota GR Supra Prices

Toyota will offer 1,500 Launch Edition models with distinctive styling and unique numbering. These models will go on sale in Summer 2019 starting at $55,250.

Later, Toyota will offer the 2020 Supra in two grades: 3.0 ($49,990) and 3.0 Premium ($53,990). Prices do not include the $930 freight charge. A Driver Assist Package ($1,195, full-speed adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, parking sonar and rear collision warning) is available across the model line. This package builds on the standard forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, road sign assist and automatic high beams.


2019 Toyota GR Supra Specifications


Toyota 2020 GR Supra
Segment Sportscar
Base Sticker Price $50,920 (including a $930 destination charge)
Launch Edition $56,180
Standard Engine 3.0-liter, turbo V6
Horsepower 335 @ 5,000 to 6,500 RPM
Torque (lb.-ft.) 365 @ 1,600 to 4,500 RPM
Transmission Eight-speed automatic
Seating 2
Curb Weight (pounds) 3,397
Wheelbase (inches) 97.2
Length (inches) 172.5
Width (inches) 73
Height (inches) 50.9
Head room (f,r…inches) 38.3
Leg room (f,r…inches) 42.2
Shoulder room (f,r…inches) 54.4
Hip room (f,r…inches) 54.2
Storage (cubic feet) 10.2
Gross vehicle weight (pounds) 4,001
Towing (pounds) NR
Payload (pounds) 604
Fuel Premium
Fuel Tank (gallons) 13.7
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway) 24/31/26 city/highway/combined
Manufacturing Plant Graz, Austria

See Also — Toyota Supra: One Step Closer to Production Reality

Photos copyright Toyota Motors.

Filed Under: New Models Tagged With: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, BMW Z4, inline-six, rear-wheel drive, SPORTS CAR, TOYOTA FT-1, TOYOTA SUPRA, turbo

All-New BMW Z4 at Pebble Beach

August 24, 2018 by admin 6 Comments

2019 BMW Z4 M40i First Edition wows Pebble Beach.

2019 BMW Z4 M40i First Edition
A mesh twin-kidney grille, stacked headlamps, powerful inlets and a
clamshell hood dominate the Z4’s frontal presentation.

Finally! One of the more anticipated models not named the Toyota Supra made its debut on Thursday at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance reviewing stand during Monterey Car Week. That would be none other than the 2019 BMW Z4, which is the latest version of BMW’s beloved roadster.

The displayed model was the 2019 BMW Z4 M40i First Edition that, odd as it may seem, will not be the first Z4 model to go on sale in the U.S. Indeed, the 2019 BMW Z4 30i will arrive next spring, followed on the heels (or wheels) by the BMW Z4 M40i (including the First Edition).

BMW Z4 Photo Array

We’ll let the pictures (and captions) tell the story of the new model. At the end of this story, we’ll wrap things up.

2019 BMW Z4 M40i First Edition
The Z4’s profile includes air breathers near the front wheels, distinct sculpting and stylish wheels.
The soft-top roof is electronically controlled.
2019 BMW Z4 M40i First Edition
Here is a better look at the side air breathers. The Z4’s rear deck is short and wide, marked by a trunk lip spoiler, narrow wraparound taillights and a diffuser with twin exhaust ports.
2019 BMW Z4 M40i First Edition
The necessary rollover bars emerge when a rollover is detected.
2019 BMW Z4 M40i First Edition
A driver-oriented cockpit ensures that all controls are at the ready. The first edition includes a head-up display. The digital readout and audio package are likely unique to this model too.
2019 BMW Z4 M40i First Edition
A closeup of the digital instrument panel.
2019 BMW Z4 M40i First Edition
Sadly, there is no manual transmission with the new Z4. Instead, you’ll find an 8-speed
automatic transmisison with paddle shifters and drive mode control.
2019 BMW Z4 M40i First Edition
The photo array is from BMW. What is odd is that they didn’t include a photo of the seats. This sketch shows what they’ll probably look like. As expected they’re bolstered and look very supportive.
2019 BMW Z4 M40i First Edition
The 2019 BMW Z4 will offer two engines. The First Edition model has an enhanced
3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with an estimated 335 horsepower. This model has a
low center of gravity and an ideal 50:50 front to rear weight distribution.

The new BMW Z4 will share its architecture with the Toyota Supra. In doing so, BMW can afford to build this model and sell it in small numbers. It also provides Toyota with a cost-effective way to bring back the Supra, although we’re waiting with baited breath for its official production-ready debut.


See Also — Performance Beast: 2017 Jaguar F-TYPE SVR Coupe

Photos courtesy of BMW of North America, LLC.

Filed Under: Auto Shows, New Models Tagged With: 2019 BMW Z4, 2019 BMW Z4 30i, 2019 BMW Z4 M40i First Edition, BMW, Monterey Car Week, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, ROADSTER, TOYOTA SUPRA

Toyota Supra: One Step Closer to Production Reality

July 6, 2018 by admin 5 Comments

Supra sports coupe debut is imminent.

Toyota Supra NASCAR Xfinity
The Supra will replace the Camry for the 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series.

The Toyota Supra sports coupe is set to return and this time the confirmation comes through an unlikely party: NASCAR. Indeed, this week, Toyota announced that beginning with 2019’s NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS), the Supra will replace the Camry, the latter fielded in races since 2007.

So, why does this signal that the Supra will, indeed, make its production return? For the simple reason that NASCAR models are based on production versions only — the models raced on Sunday attract customers to dealer showrooms on Monday.

Sure, the Camry and its competitors are nothing like the vehicles available for consumers, but the name is the same. Even the canvas is usually quite different, with painted on “headlights” and other embellishments included to at least suggest a correlation with the model you can find at your local dealer. After all, you cannot purchase a two-door Camry — at least one that isn’t new and one without the Solara appellation following the model name.

Daytona 500 NASCAR Race Debut

How close are we to seeing a new production-ready Supra? Very close, as the NASCAR variant will debut at Daytona Beach on February 16, 2019. That date marks the Daytona 500, the event that launches the new racing season. Thus, sometime between now and then, Toyota will make an official announcement.

In years past, that announcement would come at an auto show. For instance, the Los Angeles Auto Show held in November or early December or at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit beginning in mid-January.

But we don’t expect either show to debut the 2019 Toyota Supra. Instead, the automaker is likely to determine a time and place of its own choosing to introduce the new model.

2019 Toyota Supra NASCAR Xfinity
A production-ready Supra will return, sharing design elements with this race car.

We see one of two possible scenarios unfolding:

1. Toyota will debut the Supra during a lull in the automotive news cycle.

But not in a dead period when people’s attention is elsewhere, namely when their feet are buried in the sand, as at their favorite beach. Instead, Toyota might tie the announcement to another event, such as the Monterey Car Week and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

This year’s event will take place August 18-26, which means Toyota could time its announcement for the Friday before, which would be August 17, 2018. Certainly, they could wait for the show to begin and roll out the new model at Pebble Beach on the main show day.

2. The automaker might choose an unexpected show to debut the Supra.

Another scenario is to simply debut the Supra at the Miami Auto Show, which this year will be held Oct. 5-13, 2018, at the newly renovated Miami Beach Convention Center. Last year’s show was canceled due to Hurricane Irma. This year’s show launches following a $620 million renovation of the convention center.

Although not a major show, some manufacturers have chosen the venue to launch a new product. Indeed, Miami is where Nissan rolled out the Rogue Hybrid in 2016. Although auto show debuts are decreasing in importance, there is something about introducing a new vehicle in South Florida in October that’s certain to draw attention.

Goodwood Festival of Speed

Toyota Europe Supra TweetOf course, you may have heard that Toyota will showcase the 2019 Supra at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which takes place from July 12-15. On July 5, Toyota Europe tweeted, “#ToyotaSupra is back. A90. At Goodwood Festival of Speed 2018 @fosgoodwood”

The A90 designation is the code for the all-new Supra, which was developed alongside an all-new BMW Z4. We have heard that the Supra will not receive a manual transmission, which is news that truly saddens the faithful. We understand the “take rate” for manuals is historically low, but if you are to be taken seriously in this business, you still have to offer one. Perhaps Toyota will follow Jaguar’s lead in this department as the British automaker introduced a six-speed manual for the F-Type’s second year.

Arriving Soon: 2019 Toyota Supra

We don’t know for certain whether Goodwind will debut the absolute final production-ready copy or if we’ll see a concept teaser without the camouflage. Regardless, the Supra is coming back and its return is a cause for mass celebration.

If I were a betting man (and I am not), the Goodwind reveal will show us nearly everything about the model inside and out, with the production details and pricing news timed to coincide with this year’s Pebble Beach.


See Also — Toyota FT-1 Concept to a Supra Reality?

Photos, tweet copyright Toyota.

Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: 2019 cars, 2019 Xfinity Series, BMW Z4, Daytona Beach, Goodwood Festival of Speed, Miami Auto Show, NASCAR, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, SPORT COUPE, Toyota, TOYOTA SUPRA

Toyota FT-1 Concept to a Supra Reality?

January 13, 2014 by Terry Logan 6 Comments

Toyota Supra fans have been waiting for what seems like eons for the Supra to return, a 2+2 fastback coupe produced from the late 1970s to the early 2000s. Its cancellation removed an important and exciting vehicle from Toyotas line up, a model that has been rumored over the past few months to be on the fast track to a return.

Toyota FT-1 Supra

Toyota FT-1 Concept

That track may come by way of the Toyota FT-1 Concept, a vehicle introduced at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit today. FT stands for future Toyota and the 1 for ultimate. It is the work of Toyotas Calty Design Research team and represents what Toyota says is the ultimate expression of a Toyota coupe design, building upon Toyota’s rich sports coupe heritage dating back to the 2000GT, Celica, Supra, MR2 and most recently Scion FR-S.

Whether the upcoming model carries the Supra mantle or some other name, the concept-turn-reality-vehicle would liven up the Toyota brand like no other model produced today. That reason alone is why the FT-1 fulfills chairman Akio Toyodas stated directive to fill the Toyota product line with exciting, even invigorating products.

Toyota FT-1 Supra

Toyota Sports Car Inspiration

The Calty team had been working on the concept for the past two years, what likely has fueled rumors that the Supra was on its way back. Alex Shen, Calty’s Studio Chief Designer noted as much stating, “Our team was heavily influenced by Toyota’s sports car past, especially Celica and Supra, and we sought to capture some of that history. It is an aggressive, track-focused sports car concept with a presence that has been amplified for shock and awe.”

My Toyoda himself authorized the concept in a bid to reform Toyotas product line, what some have considered too plain and thus too safe for many years. Waku-Doi is a Japanese phrase meaning palpable heart-pounding sense of excitement, to build cars that emotively connect with its customers. Toyota has the quality and reliability part down pat, but a satisfying ownership experience also includes building vehicles that emotionally connect with people. In the FT-1, Toyota appears to have rediscovered that, mirroring what Harley-Davidson has done with motorcycles.

Raw, Muscular Design

The Toyota FT-1 is marked by a design language that is muscular, curved and highly suggestive. It looks like it belongs on the track and has the inlets, ducts, and vents that race cars employ for airflow management. It even comes equipped with a retractable rear wing that deploys and tilts forward at higher speeds to create additional downforce.

As expected, the concept is a front engine, rear-wheel drive model with the cockpit pushed further back to even out its weight distribution. Elements of the classical Toyota GT2000 design are evident too with its wraparound windshield and side glass openings.

The FT-1 could just easily have been called F-1 to point to its racing-inspired steering wheel. The low to the ground cockpit, a delta-shaped display zone and overall minimalism places the focus on the drive without the distraction of too many bells and whistles. A color head up display keeps important vehicle information in the drivers line of sight.

Toyota FT-1 Supra

From PlayStation to Concept

Toyota first developed the concept for the Sony PlayStation Gran Turismo game environment. Mr. Toyoda, himself an accomplished race car driver, completed the virtual circuit and was hooked. Especially after beating the lap time at Fuji in his LFA. That paved the way for the concept to be built and begin touring the international auto show circuit. And although Toyota has not committed to building this vehicle, it “…embodies elements of the emotion and performance that Toyota will imprint upon future production designs. Yes, the Supra seems likely to return or at least its spirit wrapped in a sports car frame.


See Also — Production Reality: 2018 Lexus LC 500

Toyota FT-1 concept photos courtesy of Toyota Motors of America.

Filed Under: Concept Vehicles Tagged With: AKIO TOYODA, CONCEPT VEHICLE, NAIAS, SPORTS CAR, TOYOTA CELICA, TOYOTA FT-1, TOYOTA SUPRA

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