The new Toyota Supra has been getting a lot of praise since it was launched. Sure, there have been some people complaining about the fact that it may be ‘too much BMW’ instead of a pure Japanese creation, but it’s the BMW part that impresses the most in the end. Namely, the engine. The B58 3-liter straight six mill has been praised ever since it was launched, but now it is becoming a beloved mill in the JDM community as well.
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And this isn’t even an M-developed engine either. This is just a run of the mill unit used on a variety of cars, from standard 740i or 540i models to M Performance cars like the Z4 M40i or the X3 M40i. Yet, the B58 is impressive nonetheless, even when compared against more powerful, better engineered units, like the S55, for example. The video below shows a Supra being driven hard on the Nurburgring and meeting a BMW F80 M3 in the process.
The result is not great for the F80 M3 though, as the Supra didn’t seem to have a hard time overtaking it. However, even though the M3 has the edge in terms of power against the Toyota, with some 90 extra ponies at its disposal, I should mention that it looked like it had four occupants inside. My guess is this was a Nurburgring taxi M3 and thus had a lot more weight to carry than the rival coming up behind it.
Nonetheless, the Supra is definitely a fast car. Proof is the sub 8-minute length of the video posted on Youtube, which includes a long intro. Furthermore, it was all recorded during an open day at the Ring, which means there’s plenty of traffic you need to go by. Props to Toyota and BMW for putting together such a good car!
Pretty sure that the tires were the big factor here. If you look carefully, the M3 consistently pulls away in the straights. Then at 6m:50secs the Bimmer brakes, signals right, and just allows the Supra to pass. Both are still great cars!
@ Gabriel Nica – I disagree; the Toyota looked like it was going to spin out of control when it tackled the corners. The M3 didn’t seem like it was trying either – didn’t do any really hard acceleration and didn’t take any hard turns around the corners. I agree with Hostem Cogere’s observation that the M3 just braked and let the Toyota passed. Just my personal two cents – I honestly think the Toyota driver was trying too hard to want to make an impressive run against the M3 by just constantly stepping hard on the gas pedal and hard turns around corners to keep up. Glad no one was hurt.
The bmw driver was cautious on turns… Braked several times upon entry where as the supra had a lot more to give.. The driver of the bmer was slower
I see nothing Toyota in this Supra except for the badge and design. Engine and interior looks all BMW even steering wheel. Augusto Farfus would have driven the M3 flat out
Since Supra started as a Celica, this is an upgrade.
lol this would have not caught Apex’s M3 taxi by a long shot. And afaik it’s the only M3 taxi. Per regulation, taxi cannot be swapped more than once every year or 6 month, there are only 6 taxi AFAIK : 2 Jaguars one of witch is a huge XJ, one F90 M5, Porsche GT3, and Apex’s Mclaren 720s (?), and heavily optimised M3 F80. Went there last month that’s how it was then.
The M3 was clearly faster but the driver wasn’t as confident/experienced as the Supra driver.