There are some legends of automotive history that enthusiasts, regardless of preferred brand, are almost forced to love. The Toyota Supra is one of those cars. Not because of Paul Walker driving one in Fast and Furious. That only made teenagers think the Supra was the fastest car in the world. The Supra is a legend because when it first debuted back in the late ’70s, it was a light, simple and humble sports car that was affordable to most enthusiasts. There were a few generations of the Supra before it finally disappeared in 2002, much to the chagrin of many enthusiasts. Now, though, it’s back. But it’s a bit different.
Toyota made big headlines a few years ago when it announced it was partnering with BMW for a small, rear-wheel drive sports car. The moment that happened, car enthusiasts across the globe immediately speculated the return of the Supra. Though, Toyota was mum on the details of the car for years. In fact, it wasn’t even officially confirmed as being called a Supra until its release was near. Still, we all knew what it was going to be.
Its return marks a new but very different chapter in the Supra’s history. While the Toyota Supra began life as a humble sports car built on the Celica platform, this new one has more upscale bones. That’s because it’s built on the same chassis as the BMW Z4. In fact, it’s almost mechanically identical to a BMW Z4. It shares the same chassis, same technology, many interior components and, most importantly, the same engine.
In a recent interview, the chief engineer for the Toyota Supra claimed that BMW was chosen as the partner for this car specifically because of its engine. Historically, the Toyota Supra has always been powered by a straight-six engine. Early cars were naturally-aspirated, later cars were turbocharged. But its engine’s induction didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was whether or not it had six cylinders in a line. So when Toyota was planning the Supra, its engineers knew that it needed an inline-six engine. However, Toyota hasn’t made one almost two decades and it would be far too costly to make another one. So it needed to partner with a brand that did make one. A good one.
BMW is the best builder on inline-six engines on the market, so the match was found. The two brands collaborated on a joint sports car project that would eventually give birth to the BMW Z4 and the A90-generation Toyota Supra you see in front of you.
Technically, this car is called the GR Supra, named for its Gazoo Racing DNA. Gazoo Racing, for those of you who don’t know your Toyota-speak, is the Japanese brand’s racing division and this is the first proper GR-developed production car in history. And while GR is a pretty well known name among Toyota fans, we don’t see this name catching on with Supra fans. It will still just be called the Toyota Supra. As it should be.
On the outside, this is a great looking car. There are actually a lot of mixed feelings about this new Supra’s styling. Some love it, some hate it and some just think it’s “meh”. Personally, I really like it. It looks like a fresh and modern sports car but it still looks like a Supra. It also has the right sports car proportions, with a short rear deck, long hood, wide stance and low height. It’s low, long and mean. It also has really pretty rear fender flares and an awesome looking ducktail spoiler at the back. Call me crazy but I see a bit of Ferrari 250 GTO in the back half of it. It’s quite polarizing to enthusiasts but this one really digs it.
The 2020 Supra will also come with a handful or really cool colors, actually. The red you see in these photos is actually called Renaissance Red 2.0, which will obviously be the most popular color choice. There will be other cool colors, too; Nitro Yellow, Downshift Blue, Phantom Matte Gray, Absolute Zero White, Tungsten Silver, Turbulence Gray and Nocturnal Black. Unlike a lot of new BMWs, the upcoming Supra will have many cool colors to choose from.
Having said that, the interior is a bit disappointing. The steering wheel looks like a blend between a BMW wheel and a MINI one, it has the paddle shifters from a BMW, the shift lever from a MINI and its climate control buttons are pulled from a BMW as well. At least the actual infotainment screen is a different shape, even if it does use BMW’s latest iDrive. Hell, the Supra even has an iDrive controller and it’s not even the new one.
Thankfully, Toyota did give it some unique touches, like its own digital instruments, air vent design and seats. The latter of which look very good, actually. The rest of it, though, is all BMW but actually looks a bit low rent. We can forgive it, however, as it will likely be cheaper than the BMW Z4 by quite a bit and undercut other BMWs, in terms of value.
Especially when you consider its power and performance. Under its hood lies the same 3.0 liter turbocharged I6 engine found in the European BMW Z4 M40i. I mention the European model specifically because the Toyota Supra makes 335 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque, just like the Euro Z4 (though, the Supra is down 4 lb-ft of torque). The North American Z4 makes 382 hp, which is quite the hefty bump over the Euro car, but we guess BMW didn’t want the Supra stepping on its toes.
An eight-speed ZF-sourced gearbox handles shifting duties as the only option, similar to the Z4. Toyota changed up the gear ratios a bit, though. So its lower gears are a bit shorter than the Z4’s which, combined with launch control and a lighter curb weight, help it get from 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds. That’s three-tenths faster than the claimed time for the Euro BMW Z4 M40i despite having less power. Thank its lighter weight for most of that performance advantage. More importantly though, the Toyota Supra is just as fast as a BMW M2 Competition, while costing about the same. Talk about a good buyer’s dilemma.
Sending power to the rear wheels will be an as-standard limited-slip rear-differential, the same one from the Z4 M40i. It can lock between 0-100 percent in a blink and should help the new Supra be a blast to chuck through a corner. It will also only have two driving modes to play with; Normal and Sport. This is a refreshing decision in a world where every car seems to have about a million different drive-mode combinations. Hauling it down from speed will be four-pot Brembos at each corner.
Thankfully, the Supra also gets a 50/50 weight distribution, much like most BMWs. So it will be balanced and agile, much like the Z4. In fact, without the extra mass from the Bimmer’s folding roof, the Supra should be even more agile and balanced than the Z4. To keep the two cars feeling different, Toyota tuned the suspension itself, giving it a unique feel. Without driving it, we obviously can’t tell if it’s worked or not but Toyota claims the two cars will feel very different.
We’re very curious about the 2020 Toyota Supra. It’s a new take on an automotive legend, one built in joint with an unlikely partner and powered by another brand’s engine. Just hearing that, it sounds like the new Supra would be a mess. However, when you really look at it and the hardware it’s packing, it seems like it’s going to be a smashing success. We can’t wait to drive it, compare it to the Z4 and see what the remake of a Japanese automotive icon is like with some help from the Germans.
Like the back and profile of the car. But somehow the front doesn’t do it for me. And the interior is too much Prius in my opinion. Plastic like. Seats look good but that is about it.
I agree. The rear 3/4 almost looks like an Alfa 4C, then the front ends up looking flat. The bumper looks a little busy, too. The refresh will fix the front end a bit. It’s a BMW, so it’ll perform despite of its outer shell.
I’m pretty sure @beamerdaddy:disqus is talking about the supra, not the Z4.
So was Rollan obviously. Clearly it is a BMW, albeit with a Toyota body.
Thank you for understanding English. LOL
Do you think it will get the B58TU1 in the future?
We don’t know. It’s possible since it’s a newer engine but I doubt it will happen soon.
Thank goodness the Z4 has no relation to the Supra from the outside! This is an oddball car from any angle. Hopefully it looks better in person.
Please BMW make a Z4 coupe version to show Toyota how it should look……
BMW updated Z4 specs and weight, the Supra is only 46 pounds lighter and BMW is now claiming a 3.9 second 0-60 time for the 380 HP engine car
Yup
Every time the new Supra appears, always so futuristic. This thing is awesome with an awesome power plant! Very competitive MSRP! Why buy an expensive old man corvette that sits on every corner and rental lot.
Haha
I grew up owning BMW’s, Porsche’s, and exotics. I have taken the M course 3 times in Spartanburg, SC. An adult Disneyland. Went through many tires. I have a Tesla now(stealth power) and my wife Panamera 4S. We fought over the Tesla. Truthfully less power, Supra would be more fun able to go through all the gears before triple digits. So many cars too power as the minute you floor it you past 100 mpg, not much fun. I owned a turbo Porsche and went back to the base model Porsche 911 with a stick! BMW an MB are great vehicles but not as exclusive as the past. Wait in long lines like at Chevy to pick up your car after service. Porsche still exclusive with one on one dealerships. Feels small town. The Supra’s are exclusive as they do not flood the market like the corvette. I still remember when the corvette was only special order.
Would you buy this or a Model 3?
I’m hoping that you’re joking…
Even if, not funny.
Character, class, disability, and prestige.
Everyone knows they will eventually own an electrical car, but for anyone with a mind, heart, and soul, we won’t go without fighting.
I live my 3 series twin turbo. Zooom
You’ll have to make a correction. The Z4 M40i hits 100 in 3.9 seconds. Which is quicker than the Supra.
Right car….wrong gearbox…..pity….
I think I like the Supra better than the Z4…………it’s a pity and big disappointment that neither car will offer a manual. I understand the business case, but dang come on give the ol’ manual trans at least one more hurrah before it disappears forever!
Hey Look! It’s a Z4 with hardtop and has better value!
Win win win.
I’ll reserve judgement until I see one in person. Some angles look ok, some look overwrought and WAY too busy. I think the Z4 looks alot more mature and will age better for sure. I think the Supra will have more initial buzz and for a while d-bag Toyota dealers will be marking these up to where the prices won’t be that far apart. No MT is disappointing though.
I don’t see this car being a phenomenon like that original Supra, nor as popular as other Japanese cars like a Nissan GT-R. Nissan’s car was cheap for the performance in it’s peak time of popularity, but this is just a Z4, and has little that uniquely stands out against the competition. The design will appeal to those in their 20’s, but I don’t think it has the cross generational appeal the original design had.
The n54 is the modern supra engine… as it you get insane power with only bolt ons. That is why the supra is/was popular.
so basically is a japanese body with a german heart and soul.
Yeah :)
N55 engine i guess?
B58
I think it looks good, a bit surprised about he interior as it looks like they did not much to differentiate from the BMW design – center console and the steering wheel looks 1:1 to BMW. Maybe would be interesting to see a side by side comparison with the new Z4?
Interesting partnership indeed. But can’t deny the fact that its a repackaged Z4. Definitely will confuse perspective buyers who look for Toyota’s reliability…