2020 Toyota GR Supra

The 2020 Supra is still powered by a 3.0L inline-six, but it's a BMW engine instead of the infamous Toyota aluminum block most commonly known as the 2JZ. Another notable difference is the turbos. Unlike the A80 or the Mk4 Supra that had a twin-turbo setup, the 2020 Supra has a single twin-scroll turbo. The 8-speed transmission sends power to the rear wheels, unlocking the JDM "dorifto" mode. The GR in the Supra stands for Gazoo Racing which is the Racing Division for Toyota. Basically GR is to Toyota what AMG is to Mercedes, it is a direct competition at the M & AMG divisions by BMW and Mercedes, respectively.  

Priced at $49,990 the Z4, oh snap, the Toyota Supra is prepared to make ripples in the racing world again. Now all Supra fans around the world are probably having the same questions. Is the Mk5 going to fill the void made by the Mk4 over the last 22 years? Is it really just a BMW Z4 with a Toyota badge? Buckle up your seatbelt because it's time to find out.

The GR Supra comes in 3 trims post-launch, the base trim called "3.0" and one step above that is the "3.0 Premium" there is a trim option "Launch Edition" released which is a limited-edition trim with just 1500 units manufactured. The list of standard features on the Supra is extensive which makes a modern vehicle with lots of electronic assist features. 

Trims	3.0	3.0 Premium	Launch Edition
MSRP	$49990	$53990	$55250
Engine	3.0LTurbo I6	3.0L Turbo I6	3.0L Turbo I6
Features	8.8-inch TFT LCD gauge cluster	Includes features from 3.0 and these	Includes features from 3.0 Premium and these
	14-way power-adjustable driver’s sport seat	Black Leather-trimmed sport seats	Red Leather-trimmed sport seats
	Large knee support cushions	Sport Pedals	Auto folding outside mirrors
	Leather strapped steering wheel	12V Charging socket	Serialized Launch Edition badge in carbon fiber
	6.5-inch infotainment display with Supra Command	8.8-inch infotainment display with touchpad
	10-speaker sound System	12-Speaker sound system
	19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels	Qi-charging wireless charging tray
	Directional Parking Lights
	Electric Parking Brake
	6-Lens Auto leveling LED headlights
	Built-in rear spoiler

Which trim should you go for?

The Launch Edition is limited and would be the pick of the lot for Supra enthusiasts. If it is still in the market that would probably prove to be the best pick. If not the 3.0L Premium is the one to go for, with better infotainment setup it will make the drive experience even better. The heated seats will surely be a pleasant feature that the enthusiasts might grow towards and the others would appreciate in a sports car.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let's look at the heart of the Supra and the Mk5 controversy, BMW made 3.0L inline-6 engine with the twin-scroll turbo. Toyota claims that the Supra makes 335 horses and 365 pound-feet of torque. The aluminum block 2JZ could handle a tremendous amount of punishment and whether the BMW engine could do the same is a question that everyone including us had drifting around in our mind. All we know now is how amazing the Inline-6 sounds while gunning down the road. The tune of the engine can still mesmerize people and raising heads to look at the origin of the wild roars.

The OG Mk4 sequential twin-turbo setup is replaced by the twin-scroll single turbo. How are they different? Well, to simplify twin-turbo vs. twin-scroll single turbo, in a twin-turbo setup two individual turbos have a specific spool range or RPMs where they are individually engaged together or engaged sequentially one after the other based on the RPMs of the engine. The Mk4 had a sequential twin-turbo setup where the smaller turbo would spool at lower RPMs and the bigger turbo would add boost at higher RPMs.

In a twin-scroll turbo, the difference is that a single turbo has two individual intakes that in the Supra's case are linked to a set of 3 cylinders out of the 6 cylinders that rotate simultaneously to reduce spool time, where one set of 3 cylinders have a separate intake and the other set has another intake. This makes the spool time practically non-existent, giving it a feel like that of a naturally aspirated engine. The twin-scroll is a better choice as it helps reduce weight and provides a boost on the go with no spool time.

The thing that people love the most about Mk4 is a manual transmission. It came as a disappointment when Toyota announced that the Supra would only be available as the automatic transmission. The 8-speed transmission on the Supra is very similar to the one found on the BMW. Although the Manual would have been a better go to option, this is what it is now.

One specialty of the 2020 GR Supra is the customizability and mods that are possible on it. Toyota, during the Supra unveil, clarified that there have been lots of spaces left in the engine bay to accommodate bigger turbos and make mods. Meaning it will be easier than ever to "soup up" the Supra. An individual tuner in Texas has already converted the 8-speed auto transmission into a manual. Toyota aims to bring the Tuner culture back with the Supra, or they are probably too lazy to do it themselves, it's an either-or situation, and it is up to people to decide the answer for themselves. 

Models	Toyota GR Supra 3.0	BMW 440i Coupe	Nissan 370Z Nismo	Audi TTS
MSRP	$49,990	$51,350	$45,790	$54,500
Engine	3.0L Turbo I6	3.0L I6	3.7L V6	2.0L Turbo I4
Transmission	8-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic	7-Speed Automatic	7-Speed Automatic
Horsepower	335 hp @5000 rpm	326 hp @7400 rpm	350 hp @7400 rpm	288 @5400 rpm
Torque	365 lb-ft @1600 rpm	332 lb-ft @5300 rpm	276 lb-ft @5200 rpm	280 @1900 rpm

The Nissan 370Z Nismo outshines here with a stellar performance from the biggest V6 among its competition. Priced competitively it poses a threat to all manufacturers alike. It is the hot favorite of tuners and easy to spot on the roads. The Supra comes in second, making a respectable amount of power from the BMW sourced inline-6. BMW 440i Coupe with a similar capacity engine is outperformed by the Supra. The Audi TT comes in last with its smaller engine and the highest price tag out of the lot.

Acceleration

Toyota claims that the GR Supra does 0-60 in 4.1 seconds. But everyone knows the kind of underhanded play Toyota does to make their cars seem a little less powered on paper than they actually are. Some individual testers have gotten times of 3.8 seconds out of this beauty. The transmission plays a major role in this with its split-second shifts and the twin-scroll turbo spooling power from the go. Supra holds the title of the fastest car on offer by Toyota in the present.

Fun Fact- Some individual testers pit the GR Supra against the Z4 for a 0-60 and quarter-mile drag race where the Supra annihilated the Z4. Proving that the 2020 Toyota Supra is faster than the 2020 BMW Z4.

This hoon loves to go side-ways with the constant power supplied to the rear wheels. It would have been even better with the option for a manual transmission, not that we are complaining about the 8-speed onboard. The Supra does feel like a sports coupe worthy of taking up the challenge against established sweethearts and leave them in the rearview.

Models	Toyota GR Supra 3.0	BMW 440i Coupe	Nissan 370Z Nismo	Audi TTS
0-60 MPH	3.8 s	4.8 s	5.2 s	4.4 s
Quarter mile	12.3 s	13.6 s	13.7 s	13.6 s
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15k mi/yr)	6.8	8.0	8.0	7.1

The Supra proves its foothold as a successor to the legendary Mk4 with its stellar 0-60 and quarter miles time. It also has the lowest emission from all the other competition. It is followed by the Audi TT which is a shocker as it has the smallest engine and the lowest power. The BMW 440i with the same engine as the Supra comes in third on the list with similar quarter-mile time as the TT but a slower 0-60 time. The 370Z is the slowest out of the lot which seems surprising as it has the most powerful and the biggest engine.

Ride and Handling

The Supra handles really well and has retained its rear-wheel-drive aspect which is a boon for enthusiasts. The car feels planted and can maneuver around with no problems at all. The steering is responsive and lets the feedback reach the driver, so much so that the driver can feel when the front wheels lose traction. With the tiniest of input, the Supra gets busy moving along the track with all its might. It has enough grip to keep it from destabilizing or losing control. The electronic assists have been kept minimal making the car much more enjoyable to drive. 

The subtraction of rear seats has lowered the curb weight by almost 108 pounds which translates to a better grip and control over the roads with higher speeds. The body roll is minimal due to the addition of an extra layer of aluminum over the chassis and the sway bars that hold the roll. The Supra can go sideways and straight all the same without any kind of body roll making it stand out from the rest of the competition.

The drive modes do change the demeanor of the car entirely. Switch from normal to sports, and you feel the Supra get on alert mode to respond to all the inputs that the drivers give. The suspensions get stiffer making it even more planted and the maneuverability goes higher up. The engine tune changes as well and the demon under the hood finally comes alive, ready to play. The Launch Control is fairly easy to engage with both the gas and brake pedal pressed down together.

Braking

Toyota has sourced the brakes that the Supra houses from Brembo to ensure the best possible performance. The brakes instill a level of confidence to get the driver in the groove to get the Supra running. The brakes work well no matter if one wishes to stop or go sideways. The brakes complement the engine power well, allowing the driver to exploit the Supra's performance to the fullest.

The brake pedals have a proper feel to them, responding well to the pressure applied to them. The brakes have no lag and are responsive enough to get the Supra to a standstill in no time at all. With the build quality and the capability that the Supra has, the nosedive is almost negligent.

Models	Toyota GR Supra 3.0	BMW 440i Coupe	Nissan 370Z Nismo	Audi TTS
Brake Front (in.)	13.7	13.4	14.0	13.3
Brake Rear (in.)	13.0	13.6	13.8	12.2
60-0 MPH (ft)	106	N/A	105	103

The Audi stops the fastest owing to its lighter frame and adequate brakes. Stopping second is the Nismo with the largest brakes out of the lot. The Supra stands third and the data for BMW is not available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toyotas have been famous for the fuel efficiency that they offer, the Supra does do the same. In comparison to standards of performance-oriented, the Supra might be the most fuel-efficient coupe with a 6 cylinder engine. There are several 4 cylinder cars in the market that fail to deliver the kind of MPG figures the Supra does. The Supra returns an efficient 24 MPG figure in the city and an impressive 31 MPG on the highway while giving 26 MPG combined. If these numbers don't seem to impress we suggest checking out the performance section again.

Models	Toyota GR Supra 3.0	BMW 440i Coupe	Nissan 370Z Nismo	Audi TTS
MPG (city)	24	19	17	23
MPG (highway)	31	27	26	29
MPG (combined)	26	22	20	25
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gal.)	13.7	15.8	19.0	14.5
Range (City/Highway)	329/425	300/427	361/494	334/421

The Supra might give the best numbers out of the lot but owing to its lower fuel tank capacity the range the Supra can travel is lowered. The Audi has the next best numbers on the chart for fuel efficiency and returns a better range than the Supra due to a slightly bigger engine. The Bimmer and the Fairlady Z, as the 370 Z is referred to as in Japan, have similar MPG numbers where the 370Z offers a better range due to the bigger fuel tank.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first thing that we noticed stepping into the Supra was the lack of the Driver oriented airplane cock-pit styled dash that the Mk4 sported. It gave the driver the feel of piloting an airplane due to the way it was built. Snapping out of the nostalgic interior of the Mk4, the new Supra feels much more tamed and reminds us of the BMW interiors a bit. The center console is just what one could expect from BMW and this is where we felt a little let down as Toyota could have done soo much if the were a little more creative and daring like they used to be in the '90s. Another thing we notice is the missing rear seats which we don't seem to mind as the front gets that much more room.

The seats on the Supra are heavily bolstered and the bucket seats provide enough support required to grip the seats while cornering. The seats are quite comfortable made by a mixture of leather and Alcantara adding a premium touch. All the materials used in the interior are top-notch and premium. It gives it interior a luxurious feel to it which was certainly missing in the Mk4 Supra. The seats are 14-way adjustable giving the driver and passenger the option to adjust seats according to personal preference. The bubble shape helps taller people accommodate easily in the cabin which seems like a smart use of design. The noise cancellation in the cabin is commendable only letting the exhaust notes get in which we could never tire of listening to.

The steering wheel with the flat bottom is another example of BMW parts being used with a Toyota branding on it. The steering wheel feels great to hold and provides enough grip. The aluminum paddle shifters feel premium to the touch and make shifting along the road much more exciting, the paddle shifters can't fill the void created by the manual transmission though. The steering wheel is also adjustable to suit the driving position the driver feels most comfortable in.

Models	Toyota GR Supra 3.0	BMW 440i Coupe	Nissan 370Z Nismo	Audi TTS
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.3/54.4/42.2	39.8/55.3/42.2	38.2/54.4/42.9	37.1/53.6/41.1
Rear (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	-	36.1/51.7/33.7	-	33.8/47.9/28.9

The seats are comfortable but not recommended for long-distance travel as the aggressive position makes you fatigued. As Toyota doesn’t try to squeeze in rear seats like few other automakers, they can use the whole space for the perfection of the front seats. The bubble design helps in added headroom but taller drivers will feel the pinch. The bimmer and Audi provide us with two rows of seats with decent room to move about. But again this is done at the loss of the front row comfort. The rear available seats are cramped and we wonder if anyone would use it in a coupe.

Interior Features

Despite being a sports car, Toyota has bundled plenty of features on the inside of the GR Supra. Here is a list of a few of the most notable features of the same.

• Qi-compatible wireless charging
• 14-way power-adjustable sport seat
• Driver seat memory function with lumbar and bolster adjustment
• Leather-trimmed sport seats
• Carbon fiber interior trims
• Sport pedals
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters

Infotainment

The Infotainment housed in the center console is a BMW infotainment system that animates the Toyota logo and Supra silhouettes instead of BMW and Z4. But the intervention of BMW has made the infotainment in the Supra much more user-friendly and accessible. The iDrive system with the Toyota skin seems as accessible as the actual iDrive. The addition of JBL surround sound is like a cherry on top of the cake that is the BMW infotainment. But we would rather enjoy the tunes that the exhaust plays along the way. The infotainment also holds the option to tune the exhaust notes and suspension stiffness which we feel is brilliant. The infotainment supports Andriod Auto and Apple CarPlay making smartphone integration even easier. Apart from that the drive mode selection and various information regarding the vehicle are available on the Infotainment.

Infotainment Features

The infotainment comes with various features that make the drive even more engaging

• 12-Speaker JBL HiFi Surround Sound System
• 8.8-inch touch screen with supra command
• Touchpad control for the infotainment system
• Toyota Supra Connect
• SiriusXM

Cargo Capacity

When it comes to the storage capacity not many would bother on how cargo the Supra can store. The Supra has sufficient capacity to hold a few bags together while going on a trip or a couple of duffle bags easily. The reduction of the rear seats and the front-engine layout provide the required space needed to ensure the trunk has ample space.

Models	Toyota GR Supra 3.0	BMW 440i Coupe	Nissan 370Z Nismo	Audi TTS Coupe
Cargo Volume (cu.-ft)	10.2	15.7	6.9	12.0

The BMW coupe has the maximum storage capacity out of the lot followed by the Audi TT which is a surprise considering the proportions of the TT. The Supra stands third in this comparison with the 370 Z coming in last.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We do see some resemblance that the GR Supra holds with the Mk4 from the past. The design style of the 2020 Supra is a combination of the FT-1 Concept and the Mk4 blended together well. The 6-lens LED headlamps can be adjusted according to the driver, these give the car a fresh look. The DRLs on the bottom add a meaner look to the car entirely. It has a smaller wheelbase in comparison which positively changes the handling and driving dynamics of the car.

On the side, the bold lines define the Supra and add a bit of muscle towards the rear. The 19inch wheels it sports do the part and add the design element to the car well. The sloping roofline gives it the sports coupe look which is stunning nonetheless.  

The rear looks stunning with the high boot lid which looks like a spoiler. The LED taillights are elongated just like the headlights which do seem impressive. The diffuser houses the dual circular exhausts which do their part of making the angry grunts from the inline-six.

The faux vents in the front add the aggressive look to the car which is not just for the show. Toyota has given a number of mod-able parts in the Supra this is one of them. The air vents can be modded to increase the air-flow in the engine making it even more efficient. The smaller vents in the front do certainly grab attention. The thing that cannot be missed out on is the aggressive nose on the front which adds a kind of an aggressive look altogether.

Models	Toyota GR Supra 3.0	BMW 440i Coupe	Nissan 370Z Nismo	Audi TTS Coupe
Length (in)	172.5	182.7	170.5	165.0
Width (in)	73.0	71.9	73.6	72.1
Height (in)	50.9	54.2	51.8	53.3
Ground clearance (in)	4.5	5.1	4.6	4.4
Wheelbase (in)	97.2	110.6	100.4	98.6
Track width (in) F/R	62.8/62.6	61.1/63.0	61.2/62.2	61.9/61.1
Curb weight (lbs)	3397	3704	3486	3263

The Audi TT stands the shortest, lightest and stands the lowest out of the lot. The Supra here stands the second lightest, longest and lowest out of the lot a lot many seconds for the Supra here. The BMW is the longest, heaviest and standing the highest.

Exterior Features

As we have talked repeatedly, stand in front of the new 2020 GR Supra and one is sure to be left awestruck That's due to the amazing work that the designers at Toyota and GR (Gazoo Racing) have put in developing the same. However, there are a few features that enhance the overall appeal and beauty of this amazing sports cars. Some of those features include

• 19-inch aluminum twin-spoke alloys
• Auto folding heated outside mirrors
• 6-lens auto-leveling LED headlights
• LED taillights
• Auto-dimming driver’s side outside mirror
• Built-in rear spoiler
• Dual rear exhaust with stainless steel exhaust tips 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just like many sports and luxury cars available in the States, the Toyota Supra has not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or the IIHS yet. The NHTSA and IIHS are the organizations that provide the safety ratings for the vehicles being sold in the market. As it does have a few parts that are sourced from BMW and manufactured by Magna Steyr an independent manufacturer based out of Graz, Austria, which produces the Z4 as well. The chassis of the Supra and the Z4 are identical as they share a similar platform The chassis is made from alloys of aluminum and steel, which help the car hold certain structural integrity and sturdiness. The list of active autonomous driving assists available on the Supra is similar to the kind found on BMWs. So the Supra gets the best of both worlds and is a car with a mixture of all good traits from Toyota and BMW. This does make the Supra fairly safe in our accords.

Safety Features

• Smart Key System- Smart Entry and Start
• Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
• Auto-Dimming Rearview mirror
• Heated Seats
• Automatic Rain sensing wipers
• Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
• Hill Start Assist Control (HAC)
• 3-Point seatbelts for both seats
• Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Pedestrian detection
• Lane Departure Warning
• Rearview Parking camera
• vehicle stability control (VSC)
• Brake Assist (BA)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toyota GR Supra vs. BMW 440i coupe

BMW 440i Coupe has a similar engine like that in the Supra sans the Turbocharger. It does sit longer and heavier than most of the cars on this list. The weight and the length go a long way in contributing to the way the BMW performs. Compared to the Supra, the Beamer is slower and more fuel consuming. It lacks the fun and the feel the Supra gives from behind the steering wheel. This goes on to prove that the Supra is a better pick from the lot.

Toyota GR Supra vs. Nissan 370Z Nismo

The only JDM competition that we have going up against the Supra is the Nissan 370 Z Nismo. It gets a special treatment from the Nismo, the performance division of Nissan. 370Z has built an iconic image for itself over the years that it has sold in the states in the absence of a well-performing JDM in the market. It is among the performance cars that are light on the pockets making it a crowd favorite. But the Supra does overpower the 370 Z even with a smaller engine and lower horses produced. The Supra is nothing less of a spectacle here making it the obvious pick.

Toyota GR Supra vs. Audi TTS Coupe

The TT has been a good looking coupe ever since it hit the markets and still gains looks going down the street. It is a baby R8 for many reasons. But just the design does not make it a better pick. The Supra performs better in every type of comparison that one can think of to pit these two cars head-on. The Audi might be a bit more luxurious on the inside but certainly not enough for the hefty price tag it is offered with. The Supra at a lower price performs better has better handling. We would definitely opt for the Supra if given a choice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The GR Supra is here to stay and it is the successor to the MK4, all facts considered, the GR Supra does seem promising. Will it live up to the legend of the Mk4, only time can be the judge of that. But we know for a fact that the Supra is a reliable car due to the two brands that are associated with it, Toyota and BMW are known for their reliability and dependability. Toyota has added a plethora of luxury features in the Supra which give it a very premium and upmarket feel. Priced at $49,990 the car is value for money with the level of performance and handling that it provides. It is nimble enough to take up the higher segment performers, might need a little tuning and mods. Toyota has added a lot of quirks around the Supra that aftermarket mods and tuners can utilize to make the car better and faster. Bringing the Tuner culture back, the 2020 GR Supra is a car worth the price tag quoted.