NEWS: This is the new Toyota Supra

The last Toyota Supra is one of those rare cars that became a legend in its own time, but it’s been 16 years since it was discontinued. At the Geneva Motor Show this morning, the next generation of this venerated nameplate was unveiled — in racing form. 

Decked out in Gazoo Racing livery, the car sports wide fenders, a giant wing, and plenty of aerodynamic and cooling structures. Beneath all the vents and canards, though it hews remarkably close to the Toyota FT-1 concept that Toyota unveiled four years ago.

Toyota gave few specific details about the car, so engine, transmission, or power and torque figures are not known [Update: Autoblog reports that the Supra will have a turbo but not a manual transmission]. What we do know is that it’s a true race car. The GR Supra uses lightweight composites in its construction, has a roll cage, fire extinguisher, and Lexan windows. Toyota says the pedal box, wiring harness, and fuel and brake lines are all competition standard. Its stance comes courtesy of a race suspension, BBS center-lock wheels wrapped in Michelin slicks over Brembo racing calipers.

While the exterior gives us a clue to what the production Supra will look like, the interior is anyone’s guess. Cabin-wise, it has only a racing dashboard, an OMP racing seat and harness, and quick-release steering wheel.

The only solid numbers Toyota revealed officially were its dimensions. It measures 4,574 mm long, 2,048 mm wide, and 1,230 mm tall. You can compare them with the A80, but these numbers are essentially meaningless because of all the aero aids and flared fenders on the concept. Perhaps more important is its 2,470 mm wheelbase, which measures 80 mm (3.14 in.) shorter than the A80.

Notably, Toyota never called it a Toyota, just the GR Supra Racing Concept. Some are even speculating that the production car itself might not be called a Toyota. While it’s true Aichi is going all-in on the Gazoo Racing sub-brand, we think the reason this car doesn’t wear Toyota badging is because it’s a race car that would be campaigned under the Gazoo banner.  We’d be very surprised if the production car doesn’t have Toyota as its marque.

Toyota is not pulling any heritage punches in hyping up the Supra lineage. A video featuring all four generations of the Supra was played in Geneva, implying that the new car will also have a straight-six.

Lastly, the race car wears the number 90 on its doors. Toyota says this is a reference to the chassis code, progressing nicely from its A60, A70, and A80 predecessors. It heavily implies that this is not just a racing machine, but will become a production car as well. When that will be, we don’t know, but in the meantime enjoy some more images.

Ronan Glon is an automotive journalist and photographer living in France, and founder of Ran When Parked. Some images courtesy of Toyota.

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27 Responses to NEWS: This is the new Toyota Supra

  1. Jim Simspson says:

    Just amazing… can’t wait to see it in street trim…

  2. cesariojpn says:

    4 years since the last concept? The “Supra” should’ve had a model refresh at this point….or the prototypes.

  3. Hachibrokeyou says:

    Here’s hoping the three pedals make it to production…

  4. Eric P says:

    This will represent the Supra beautifully. Nicely done Toyota.

  5. Speedie says:

    I agree with cesariojpn. The design already has a I’ve seen too many times vibe about it which is not good as there is not likely to be a design refresh for at least four years.

  6. Cho says:

    YES! A CAR! Not another CUV,SUV or Truck! Now we need the Celica,a super cheap but sporty Tercel/Yaris/Corolla(FX16) hatchback and then maybe the return of the MR2 to give a choice over the Miata.

  7. michael says:

    so is it a bimmer?

    • Ben Hsu says:

      Most likely, but we don’t know for sure. Toyota doesn’t have an inline-six in their lineup right now.

      • ahja says:

        Ugh… I’d rather they use the Lexus/Tundra V8 and call it a Supra than use a BMW engine at all. Toyota is just killing me with these wrong engines. I’m still waiting for them to fix the FRS too with a proper I4. At this point its waiting for a 2nd gen FRS (that has a proper I4 this time).

        • michael says:

          Yea I agree with this. I love Toyota but it seems like they always need to get help (in terms of engineering) from other OEMs when building sports cars (Yamaha being their number one go to OEM when producing sports cars). Most people wouldn’t care about this obviously but this to me puts a serious dent in their image 🙁

        • Mark Newton-John says:

          No. A V8 would be too heavy. Like the 86, they want a balanced sports car, not a Mustang.
          And the tradition of a straight six Toyota sports car.

      • Ben Hsu says:

        I agree. The Skyline and GT-R went from a straight-six to a V6. Toyota has lots of V6 engines.

  8. Bhimatama says:

    the racing version on A80 supra is actually 4 cylinder turbo from toyota celica GT-4

  9. dbdr says:

    No manual, no care.

    • michael says:

      How come? Can someone explain this logic. People thinking like highschool freshmen saying that they want a manual just so they can say that they know how to drive a manual or to sound knowledgeable when they say they want to feel and control the car. Most of the time the ones talking have zero track experience too.

      The transmission that it will come with for sure wont be a planetary gear automatic anyway. It will most likely come with a dual clutch. To me sequential transmissions and dual clutch transmissions currently are the best for racing from an engineering perspective.

      • dbdr says:

        I’m not really about the engineering perspective or numbers on paper. I think sports cars should be for pure driving pleasure instead of speed.

        A manual transmission gives much more involvement to the driver which is why I think it’s the obvious choice for a sports car. I also prefer low-power cars because I think they make driving more about the driver than the car.

        This is of course subjective and these are just my opinions. You’re free to think whatever you want.

        • michael says:

          FYI all my posts moving forward are for discussion sake. I re-read my previous post and it sounded argumentative, sorry:)

          I see your point on “analog” feel/pleasure (dont know how else to phrase it) and for that you don’t need a sports car. Tracking any regular car with a manual transmission with capable tires will give you that same feeling.

          Looking at performance and control from an engineering perspective however I cant see how a manual transmission would give a driver an advantage to car control over a dual clutch or a sequential.

          Also l see your point about low powered cars being more about the driver but understand that a good driver on those conditions doesn’t translate to a driver being more adequate when the car is more capable and when quicker speeds require more focus.

          Good discussion 🙂

          • dbdr says:

            I guess it’s good that we have different Japanese sports cars on the market for different people. Supra and GT-R for the people who want speed and Roadster, 86 and BRZ for those who prefer slower and more connected driving. 🙂

  10. Bryan Kitsune says:

    I’m somewhat confused regarding: “Notably, Toyota never called it a Toyota, just the GR Supra Racing Concept.” and “we think the reason this car doesn’t wear Toyota badging”

    All these pictures show Toyota emblems front & rear, and say TOYOTA Gazoo Racing…am I just super daft today and missing something?

    Even more confusing is why they bother making the car without the option of a manual transmission (and yes, I realize the automatic they put in will almost certainly be faster than a manual version would be.) Just like I don’t understand why Toyota refuses to put Toyota engines in their fun cars.

    Oh well, can’t afford it anyway.

  11. Nathan says:

    Sooooo… very… pretty…. ‘Must… look… away… but… can’t….
    [Keyboard fails due to being drowned in drool]

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