After a 21-year absence the Toyota Supra has finally returned to the United States. the iconic sports car was formally revealed to the world at the 2019 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. The newest Supra, the fifth-generation in the series, had an excruciatingly slow roll-out that kept fans guessing as to how it would appear in its final form. A race car concept, built by Totota Gazoo Racing on the Supra platform was revealed in March 2018 at the Geneva International Motor Show. This was followed In July 2018 by a prototype version in a black, red and white camouflage livery making an appearance, referred to as a dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex, England.
The Supra remains true to five decades of Toyota sports car heritage. The short wheel base, optimal 50:50 weight distribution, low center of gravity and a rear-wheel drive layout contribute to the agility and handling precision of the sports GT. The GR Supra, as it is officially called, was developed in an alliance with BMW and is based on the architecture of their Z4 M40i roadster that was released in August 2019. Toyota has been collaborating with other automakers as the automotive industry on the whole continues to consolidate. This joint-venture is similar to the Toyota-Subaru partnership that produced the 86 and BRZ sports coupe. Although the 2020 Toyota GR Supra and the 2019 BMW Z4 share many similarities and parts, they are designed to be distinctly different in terms of visual form and handling characteristics.
Specially tuned by Toyota engineers, a BMW B5B30O1 power plant drives the new Supra. The 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine makes 335 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 369 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm. Redline is 7,000 rpm. Part of BMW’s modular engine architecture, the closed-deck B-series block is stronger than an open deck design. This allows for greater load handling and the use of higher internal pressures levels while resisting breakage and maintaining structural integrity.
Rather than cast iron, for reduced weight the engine block is cast from an aluminum-alloy. Thicker cylinder walls and additional webbing add the necessary volume in key areas required for strength and durability. Instead of cylinder sleeves for the wear surfaces, the bores are coated with a thin layer of iron alloy. Lighter with better heat-transfer than sleeves this coating process is referred to as a Lichtbogendrahtspritzen (LDS) cylinder liner. This coating is applied in a Twin Wire Arc Spray process that builds-up to a 0.3 mm liner thickness that can then be honed to the required crosshatch pattern.
A set of forged pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft indicate the performance potential of the engine design. The undersquare 86 mm bore and 94.6 mm stroke has some advantages in the inline six arrangement. The longer stroke allows the cylinder bores to be smaller reducing the overall length of the engine, while still maintaining the required displacement. This design also contributes to low-end torque which is important in a turbocharged application that has to take turbo lag into account. A crankshaft with a shorter length will also be stronger than a longer crank.
The 11.0:1 compression ratio in conjunction with the 350 bar high-pressure fuel injection system center-mounted above the combustion chamber is designed for peak fuel efficiency, increases performance and lowers emissions. BMW’s second-generation double-VANOS variable valve timing system are used on both intake and exhaust camshafts. This allows the timing to be adjusted based on the engine speed or throttle position and improves fuel consumption and torque at low and medium engine speeds. The valvetronic variable lift system varies the lift height of the 24 valves for further improvements to fuel economy, emissions and performance.
The single BorgWarner turbocharger has an electronically controlled wastegate with an extremely wide opening angle to regulate boost. This allows for quicker reaction time over a vacuum pressure actuated wastegate and also helps to quickly heat up the exhaust catalyst. The twin-scroll design of the turbocharger promotes exhaust gas scavenging and smooths out the distinct exhaust pulses allowing unimpeded flow from the combustion chambers. These recovered exhaust gasses can then be harnessed more efficiently by the turbocharger turbine resulting in improved boost response. An air-to-liquid intercooler located on the right side of the engine is integrated directly into the air intake plenum. Unlike an air-to-air intercooler located in the front bumper this arrangement reduces the length of piping necessary and further sharpens engine responsiveness.
Power is routed to the rear wheels through an eight-speed paddle-shift ZF-8HP51HIS automatic transmission sourced from the German manufacturer ZF Friedrichshafen AG. The already efficient 8HP transmission has been further optimized by ZF, this second-generation gear-box reduces drag losses and allows for lower engine speed. By operating the engine at a lower rpm while still maintaining the required torque and performance, a concept called “downspeeding” can provide substantial reductions in a vehicle’s fuel requirements and CO2 emissions.
The 2020 GR Supra has a Normal driving mode and a Sport mode for the track environment. Engaging Sport mode reduces the traction and stability control, throttle response is quickened, transmission shift points are adjusted, assistance from the power steering is lessened for more direct driver feedback and the differential is tuned for more aggressive driving.
The active electronic limited-slip differential has infinite variability from 0 to 100% locking using multi-plate clutches and an electric motor to control torque delivery between the rear wheels. Using Launch Control the Supra makes the run from 0 to 60 MPH in 4.1 seconds, this is the quickest production Toyota ever. The electronically limited maximum top speed is 155 MPH.
Extensive track development by Toyota GAZOO Racing has fine-tuned the chassis for specific handling and performance characteristics. Spring and shock absorbers rates are balanced with the double-joint MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension to deliver neutral handling. Adjusting for changing road conditions the Adaptive Variable Suspension system monitors and controls the damping force at all four wheels simultaneously to improve handling stability and limit body roll at high speeds. The rear subframe and structure of the vehicle is stiffened at strategic points with lightweight aluminum and steel reinforcements for the rigidity and strength required for precise control.
The Supra rides on 19-inch forged aluminum-alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires that measure 255/35R19 at the front and 275/35R19 in the rear. This tire setup provides a good balance of wet and dry performance and excellent lateral grip. All four corners get large Brembo disc brakes. The 13.7 inch front rotors are fitted with four piston calipers that have been size optimized for discs with high braking surfaces. Reduced mass at low-stress areas for weight reduction allows the calipers to maintain the strength and stiffness required without any loss of braking performance.
The interior of the two seat Supra is a GT style arrangement striking a balance between the comfort of a daily driven street car and the necessary functionality for weekends at the track. The centrally mounted instrument panel consolidates critical driver information in an easy to read single-meter display. Tachometer, speed, shift timing indicator and vehicle status is easily viewed to preserve driver focus. The sporty multifunction leather wrapped sport steering wheel has a conventional three-spoke arrangement. Race-inspired seating with integrated head restraints combined with shoulder bolsters hold the driver and passenger securely. Fitted with many entertainment, convenience and advanced safety features as standard, the Supra is smartly outfitted in a capable and engaging package.
Drawing heavily from Toyota’s sports car past, especially the earlier Celica, Supra and the FT-1 Concept created by CALTY Design Research in Newport Beach, California, the exterior design of the 2020 Supra carries a sense of speed and movement. Evoking memories of the 1967 Toyota GT2000, a dual bubble roof is lower in the center for reduced drag while maintaining sufficient head room for the driver and passenger. The long low slung hood highlights the engine that sits before the driver. Large air intakes on either side of the central grille section were inspired by the fourth-generation Supra. In the back an integrated arching aerodynamic spoiler suppresses lift.
Putting this entire package together is Magna International through its Magna Steyr operating unit. The brand independent engineering and automotive manufacturer based in Graz, Austria has extensive experience in design, construction and complete vehicle production.
“This contract from Toyota is a testament to our manufacturing expertise and our ability to deliver on the high quality standards we know our customers expect when building their vehicles,” says Günther Apfalter, President of Magna Europe and Magna Steyr. “This is yet another example of how we are uniquely positioned to support automakers that need additional capacity and new entrants looking for whole vehicle expertise.”
Available in the Summer of 2019 the 2020 Supra will be available in two grades – 3.0 and 3.0 Premium, as well as a Launch Edition which will be based on the 3.0 Premium grade. The 2020 Totota Supra is priced at $49,000.00 plus destination charge.
