Take A Closer Look At The PH’s First 2020 Toyota GR Supra

After its highly anticipated launch at the 2019 New York Auto Show, the iconic and legendary Toyota GR Supra finally made its way here into the Philippines, making its first public appearance at the 2019 Toyota Vios Racing Festival last June 8, 2019.

In the metal, the new Supra brings a very strong first impression in person. Its design draws many cues from the FT-1 concept car, thus bringing into the table plenty of new design cues never before seen in any Toyota. The front end is characterized by three large air intakes, canards, and side vents that play a role in cooling the brakes. A steeply raked windshield, along with the double bubble roof, aerodynamic side skirts, and side vents, give the Supra a purposeful look. Meanwhile, the rear fascia is dominated by the large Supra emblem, integrated rear spoiler, slim LED tail lights, aggressive rear diffuser with twin exhausts, and an F1-inspired central reverse light.

It also must be noted that the Supra is a strict two-seater sports car, whereas the Mark IV or A80 Supra was a 2+2 grand tourer. As a result, the GR Supra’s wheelbase is shorter than even the Toyota 86’s.

Drivers are greeted to an interior with a primarily horizontal design. Hints from the A80 Supra are present in this new model, mainly the driver-centric layout that separates the driver from the front passenger. One can see numerous parts shared from the BMW Z4 or from other BMWs, namely the steering wheel, iDrive-based infotainment system with the rotary knob controller, electronic gear shifter, climate control, and numerous buttons dotted around the cabin. Drivers are also greeted to a fully digital instrument cluster.

Now, we’re confident that the GR Supra we have is the European specification. Why? It’s because of the Toyota lettering just above the Supra name. North American GR Supras do not have the Toyota lettering, which gives us the possibility of three engine options. The most famous engine among those eagerly awaiting the new Supra is BMW’s B58 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 petrol engine, which produces 335 hp and 494 Nm of torque. What we saw (and heard) at Clark is this engine. The other two utilizes a 2.0-liter inline-4 turbocharged petrol engine in two states of tune, one with 194 hp and 320 Nm of torque, while the other one produces 254 hp and 400 Nm of torque. Whichever engine you choose, power is sent through the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission, the only transmission available. With the 3.0-liter inline-6 engine, the GR Supra can sprint from 0-100 kph in 4.1 seconds, making it the fastest car to wear the Toyota badge.

At the opening program of the Toyota Vios Racing Festival 2019, Mr. Satoru Suzuki, the president of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) drove the Supra around Clark International Speedway, and this is where we can confirm that the Supra that was brought to the Philippines uses the inline-6 engine.

For now, TMP has not revealed any official statements regarding pricing and actual launch date, so keep yourselves posted on Go Flat Out.