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Toyota Supra GTS
By William Leong
If you know anything about Toyota's new
Supra you know the controversy - it shares
many underpinnings with the latest BMW Z4.
The models were co-developed by BMW
and Toyota, and the logic is simple enough.
In this day and age, lack of market demand
for a two-seater coupe or convertible makes
it hard to justify developing a brand new car.
However, both models belong in each brand's
cultural identity, so sharing resources to
jointly develop the two cars makes sense.
As was the case with Toyota collaborating
with Subaru for its other, cheaper sports car,
The GR86.
The Supra is Toyota's halo car, which
has over four generations developed a cult
following, helped along with appearances in
shows like “The Fast and the Furious”.
Let's get the good stuff out of the way
first. This fifth generation newly returned
model, with a lot to live up to, is undoubtedly
arresting to look at, turning heads anywhere it
goes. It undeniably looks fantastic - squatting
low to the ground, with flowing lines and
aggressive exterior shapes, an instant head
turner. Its visual presence and distinction
alone is pretty damn special.
Slide inside the car and it instantly
transforms into a BMW, ignoring the Toyota
badged steering wheel and digital instrument
cluster. Everything else inside, literally
anything you touch, is BMW.
BMW-ness of the Supra also translates to
its drive-train. Exhaust sound? BMW. Engine
character and power delivery? BMW. Throttle
response? BMW. Steering feel? BMW – but
to source an in-line six engine we're not sure
there's anyone better than BMW.
Toyota engineers have tweaked the
chassis such that the Supra tackles corners
with great accuracy and responsive, much
more alert and aggressive. The steering
is sharp and instinctive, nicely weighted,
especially in 'Sport'. The front end is eager
to turn in so the car is easy to place through
corners. Driven hard it will squirm around,
rear wheels always eager to break traction; it
feels light.
The Supra is 115kg lighter than the Z4, and
feels lighter than its 1,505kg kerb weight. The
wheelbase is 2,470mm, with 1,294mm height,
4,379mm length and 1,854mm width. It is a
fantastic handling sports car - moving across
the tarmac gracefully and delightfully.
Its aluminium/steel frame has high rigidity,
very short wheelbase, wide track and low
weight and centre of gravity, all aiding its
dynamic abilities.
The 3.0-litre engine pumps out 285kW
of power and 500Nm of torque. From zero -
100km/h takes just 4.1 seconds.
The Z4 and Supra have different and
distinct characteristics, with the Supra a much
more focused and capable sports car, very
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easy to handle and riding well, with extremely
forgiving suspension even in 'Sport' setting -
much suppler than the Z4.
There is a passable amount of daily
practicality with 296-litres of space beneath
the rear lift-gate, which are 26-litres more
than a Yaris 5-door hatchback.
Over decades and model upon model
BMW has consistently built premium, highquality
cars delivering sharp and engaging
driving dynamics, which the Supra benefits
from. The car feels premium and high-quality,
with modern, sophisticated technology and
equipment. You get a lovely engine that
pours out plenty of power. All packaged in
a beautiful, comfortable but also really fun to
drive car.
Yes, it may look and feel German, but that
means you get German technology, quality
and precision.
For die-hard purists, the BMW-ness of the
new Supra may be too off-putting, but I am
willing to bet nine out of 10 people like it once
they have driven it - the car is just, better.
Delightful to drive and gorgeous to admire,
the new Supra definitely still feels like a
special car - my true opinion.
This new Supra absolutely works, and also
feels that it will age well. Better Toyota have
BMW build this car rather than it doing a halfbaked
job on its halo model.
I will admit, this part-German, part-