It's Supra Time!
It's been a long wait since Toyota unveiled the FT-1 Concept in 2014 and Supra enthusiasts have been patiently waiting to see if it would become a reality. Good things come to those who wait. On January 14, 2019 the 2020 Supra made it's debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and will go on sale this summer.
The fifth generation Supra resembles the iconic fourth generation Supra built from 1993-2002, and certainly has some similarities to the 1967 2000 GT. The new Supra also shares some similar traits such as a short wheelbase, sophisticated chassis and high-performance inline-six-cylinder engine.
The 2020 Supra will be powered by a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. Supra's new 3.0-litre twin-scroll turbo six will produce 335 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque paired up with a quick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission and paddle shifters. Toyota predicts the Supra will do 0-96 km/h in 4.1 seconds.
The all-new Supra will offer two driving modes: Normal and Sport. Sport Mode will provide track-driving capability by reducing intervention of the traction and stability control functions as well as sharpening throttle response, increasing steering weight, improving transmission shift crispness, more aggressive active differential tuning and amplifying exhaust sound.
The Supra won't be just good looks and performance, it will deliver a state-of-the-art multimedia and connectivity experience. With an 8.8" touchscreen display with navigation, rotary touch controller, Supra Connect telematics services, wireless Apple CarPlay, a premium 12-speaker JBL audio system and wireless phone charging.
Toyota's 50 Years of Sports Car History
The 2020 Supra follows a long line of great Toyota sports cars. First came the 1965 Sports 800 which was a sleek but tiny coupe offering a little over 40 hp from an air-cooled, two cylinder boxer engine.
Next came the 2000 GT in 1967. This limited edition, hand built six-cylinder, two-seat coupe broke three world records and set 13 new international records for speed and endurance. Only 351 of these cars were made, and only about 60 of those came to the U.S. The 2000 GT gained international success when a specially built version stared in the James Bond movie "You Only Live Twice." Today, a 2000 GT is worth about $1 million in collector car auctions.
The first Supra came out in 1978 as a premium six-cylinder version of the Celica. In 1982 The second generation Supra got it's own front-end design.
The third generation Supra debuted in 1986 and became it's own distinct car. The following year a Turbo version was released with 230 horsepower.
Then came the fourth generation Supra we all know in 1993. The Supra Turbo used twin sequential turbochargers to get 320 hp from it's 3.0-litre inline six and could go from 0-96km/h in under five seconds. Supra sales ended in North American after 1998 but the Supra was still produced until 2002. It became famous for new generations through video games and the "Fast and Furious" movie series. The intense loyal following of this icon is what helped spur Toyota to re-imagine a fifth generation Supra.
The 2020 Supra will go on sale Summer 2019.
