The Tantilising Toyota A90 GR Supra 3.0 Pro Review
The Toyota GR Supra 3.0 Pro is somewhat of a legend and a labour of love for the CEO of Toyota, Akio Toyoda. Marketing aside, they designed this from the ground up as a true aficionado’s sports car. Whilst every car has to make a profit, Toyada seems to have clearly put sentiment and history to the fore in the making of this little beauty.
Toyoda qualified for his racing licence practising in the old Supra on the Nürburgring. The new Supra was extensively tested on that very track to provide the same thrill, spills and excitement that the A80 provided in its day.
My first impressions as they delivered it to my door were that the new Supra promised everything a fan of the movie franchise “Fast and Furious” could hope for. Supercar styling and performance to match without the price tag.
Yes, it shares the platform, engine, gearbox and much of the interior with the BMW Z4, but this is a sensible partnership. The two most reliable car manufacturers team up to provide a BMW 3.0-litre in-line straight six front-engine, twin-scroll turbocharger with direct fuel injection and variable valve control. It’s front-engine, rear-wheel drive with an eight-speed automatic paddle controlled gearbox.
The engine has been retuned by Toyota and pumps out 335 bhp or 500Nm of torque, with a top speed of 155 mph (limited). It weighs 1.6 tons and does an outstanding 0-62 mph in 4.3 secs. Now that’s fast for a car in this price range. The combined fuel economy is a reasonable 34.4 mpg. The chassis is impressively designed too, with a wheelbase of 2,470mm and a rear track of 1,589mm.
Exterior
The exterior is all Toyota. The headlights hark back to the original Supra. The solid rear boot spoiler tops attractive, razor-sharp, triangular lights and downward swooping lines. Seen from the back the Toyota Supra reminds me of a Dragon Pug.
The proportions are ideal, based on the Golden Ratio of 1.55 for road performance, with a short wheelbase and wide track. The muscular rear haunches flow down to the front, whilst the roof swoops up and over the gently declining bonnet. They set the wheels as far forward and back as possible with very little body overhang for maximum turning performance.
The Supra is solid and shaped like a dart, its aerodynamic credentials writ large. Sports car DNA through and through. The front is suitably mean and has some unusual protrusions, particularly the nose sporting the Toyota badge, which protrudes, adding a unique personality. The vents and spoiler further add to the sporty character and they won’t risk hurting anyone as they are soft and pliable.
The 19-inch wheels are gorgeous and the stylish boot opens out as one complete piece of glass and metal, allowing easy access.
Interior
The cockpit is taut and well designed to give the driver maximum visibility with a pleasing instrument panel, including a heads up display.
The interior is mostly BMW, so tight and extremely well laid out, with excellent tech features as standard. Toyota has tweaked the interior a little but decided not to waste time reinventing the wheel. Though the steering wheel is smaller and faster on the Supra.
At last, a car that comes with not only somewhere to put your phone, but a wireless phone-charging pad, conveniently placed in the front console. Why have manufacturers waited ten years to add a phone holder, so you don’t have to buy those ludicrous plastic grips?
The Toyota Supra Pro is worth buying for that alone.
The BMW iDrive entertainment system is excellent, intuitive and fast. It sticks out pleasantly and is extremely simple to use. You scroll as if on an iPad, so even the technophobic will like it. The audio system is also worth a mention, it’s aural heaven, with thumping bass should you require it, spread over twelve speakers.
The electric seats come in black leather on the Pro and you get seven airbags, plus pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic high beam and Road Sign Assist. The reversing camera is excellent, plus the electronic parking brake engages with zero movement.
The seats are tight, comfortable and supportive, which is handy as you can take corners at ludicrously high speed.
Bluetooth, CarPlay, DAB and Sat-Nav come as standard. Great, when you think some high-end brands charge thousands to add CarPlay. The Pro also comes with a hefty high-quality JBL 12 speaker audio system, automatic wipers, front and rear parking sensors. You get the idea, it’s a Toyota. It has every piece of tech you can imagine.
Performance
The performance on the road is impressive. The low centre of gravity and the super-fast, responsive steering make this an authentic sports car. The difference between Normal and Sport settings is brutal too, the only two tunings available. In Sport mode, it is a beast, and any pro could give a supercar a run for its money on a track, particularly an off-road track. You can pick Sport or Normal for the steering, engine, suspension and gearbox. Always keep the steering in Sport mode as the precision is golden.
The traction and handling are spectacular and the cornering is precise and masterful. The balance instils utter confidence. You’re never going to be pushing this car out of its comfort zone on the road. The new Supra will go around all corners with no roll and endures huge G’s before the tyres show any signs of sliding.
The front-engine is placed as far back on the car as possible to get the desired 50/50 weight distribution and you feel supremely centred. It corners as if the tyres had cleats.
I found the braking to be sure, but a little soft and would have preferred the choice of a more brutal deceleration had I wanted it. However, I admit this is probably a preference rather than a stain on the Supra’s character.
It has launch control, hold the brake and accelerator down and let go of the brake when ready, for immediate launch from the traffic lights when you need it…
Conclusion
It impressed me the moment I first drove the car, and it continued to amaze as I got to know it. A terrific sports car that is also a comfortable, smooth daily drive. The super-modern, visual complexity of the exterior will keep owners besotted for years.
Overall, the performance makes this a serious challenger to Porsche and BMW, especially if you like using your own car on track days. It reminds me of the passion Alfa Romeo brings to their cars. The Toyota Supra is a driver’s car, with a superior build and performance. Plus, you’re edging into supercar territory with these specifications. An exciting, eye-catching sports car for those who want a smile on their face every time they get behind the wheel. One for the connoisseurs and worth adding to any collection.
Available from £54,340
The Pro costs £54,960 and adds leather-trimmed seats, an upgraded sound system and wireless phone charging, though both models get an active sports differential and adaptive suspension.https://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/supra/
MY TOYOTA A90 GR SUPRA 3.0 PRO SPECIFICATIONS
TOYOTA GR SUPRA EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS SAFETY & HANDLING
Toyota Supra Safety+: Pre-Collision System with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with steering control, Automatic High Beam, Road Sign Assist Airbags (7)
Child seat restrain system
ABS Traction Control Vehicle Stability Control Seatbelt fastening reminder Blind Spot Monitor
Rear Cross Traffic Alert Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Rear-end collision warning Emergency brake light signal Automatic headlight levelling Auto-dimming rear-view mirror Speed-detecting automatic door locking eCall Active sports differential Adaptive Variable Suspension Sport braking system Start hold control
COMFORT & CONVENIENCE Automatic dual-zone air conditioning Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment Smart entry and push-button start Automatic wipers Automatic headlights Reversing camera Electronic parking brake Front and rear parking sensors 12V power outlet in front cabin 12V power outlet in boot Multimedia/audio/phone switches on steering wheel Remote boot door release in cabin Front cup holders (x2)
Front footwell lights
Door courtesy lights
Glovebox light
Tonneau cover
Luggage net
INSTRUMENTS & CONTROLS
Drive Mode Selector
Paddle shifts on steering wheel Reversing camera
Adjustable speed limiter Head-up display
Digital speedometer
Gear Shift Indicator
SECURITY
Alarm with tilt sensors Locking wheelnuts Power/remote door locking Immobiliser
SEATING, UPHOLSTERY & TRIM
Power-adjustable front seats
Memory function on driver’s seat
Power-tilting cushion on driver’s seat
Sports front seats
Heated front seats
Alcantara and leather seat upholstery
Black leather seat upholstery
Seatback pockets
Aluminium scuff plates
Aluminium sport pedals
AUDIO, MULTIMEDIA & CONNECTIVITY
10-speaker audio system
12-speaker JBL audio system
DAB reception
Bluetooth
1.5-amp USB port
2.1A-amp USB port
8.8-inch touchscreen TFT display
Navigation system with 3D mapping
Voice recognition
Wireless mobile phone charger
EXTERIOR
LED dual-beam projector headlights with follow-me-home function
Automatic headlight cut-off
LED daytime running lights
LED front light guides
LED rear fog light
LED turn indicators
Cornering lights
Power-adjustable heated door mirrors with auto-retracting and auto-dimming functions
Reverse-tilt function on passenger door mirror
Door mirror memory setting
19in black/silver forged alloy wheels
Tyre repair kit
Red brake calipers with Supra logo
Dual exhaust tailpipes with brushed steel finishers
https://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/supra/
