Toyota Supra is simply an iconic car model in the street car community. The generation that came in the 90s in particular – the fifth in a row – is popular. Here, prices have skyrocketed in recent years. Well helped by the film series Fast & Furious.
However, the fifth generation would also be the last, for a while. From 2002, Supra was put on ice. After all, there is a narrow market for such cars.
But in 2019, a new edition finally came out. It is a collaboration with BMW. So here it is, among other things, the same 3-liter we know from the BMW Z4. A really fun engine with 340 horsepower.
And now finally comes a news many have been waiting for. Supra gets manual transmission! We have tested it on track.
Exotic location
The sun is shining in Seville, Spain. The compass shows a solid 35 degrees. The asphalt is hot. We are on the Circuito Monteblanco – one of the newer racetracks in Europe. It was built in 2013 – and is 4.4 kilometers long.
This is where Toyota has launched the launch of Supra with manual transmission. Simply a perfect place for such a car. They are clearly proud – and with good reason.
BMW has never made a manual gearbox for this engine. Here Toyota had to take care of itself – and then nothing is left to chance.
This has been long awaited by many
– The cars with manual transmission get a wider center console than those with automatic transmission.
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Customized
The new gearbox is designed together with a new clutch, which is specially adapted to the power and torque characteristics of the engine.
The iMT (intelligent manual transmission) gearbox has been given a control system controlled by a new software. Here, sporting benefits are prioritized. When shifting to higher gears, the parameters are set to optimize the engine torque the moment the clutch is engaged and disengaged.
In practice, this is experienced seamlessly. It “intermediate gases” if necessary – and provides a nice flow between the gears. It also helps at start-up – so the chance of suffocating the engine is low.
This system is selected as the default setting and can only be switched off in sport mode, if the driver prefers. But in practice, most people will probably settle down with the solution that is there when the car starts up.
– This gray color becomes available in connection with the car being renewed.
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You can not have more fun with your pants on
Good idea
Already the first rounds reveal that manual transmission in Supra is a good idea. This is fun!
And how many cars are there on the market for less than one million kroner with rear-wheel drive, two seats, over 300 horsepower and manual transmission? Not many!
Supra has also made several adjustments, too. Suspension, chassis and steering have been refined – and these improvements will also be available on cars with automatic transmission, from now on.
Included here is also a new driving program – which will fit extra well right here at home …
– We have been able to test Supra with manual transmission exactly where it belongs – namely on the track.
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Norwegian mountain road mode
Toyota does not call it that, but says that it is precisely on mountain roads that the new program will be most effective. Here, the torque in the engine and anti-spin system is controlled so that more wheel spin is allowed when “climbing” on roads with more than five percent incline.
That way, Toyota thinks the ride will be more entertaining. In theory, it sounds very correct. A little slap in the ass is always fun. We look forward to testing this in practice, as soon as the car arrives in Norway.
By the way, the new models get a red Supra emblem on the rear, which distinguishes it from today’s models.
Three new colors will also be available: Matte moonstone white, Moraeki Gray and Dawn Blue.
– See – three pedals! There are many Supra enthusiasts who have called for it. Brown interior is also new.
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We have driven another brand new sports car from Toyota on the track
Lightweight version
Toyota is also launching a lightweight version for super-enthusiasts. Here you have saved as much as possible, including having a manual gearbox (-17 kilos), own rims (-15), other seats and only manual adjustment of these.
The total weight saving is 38.3 kilos. We tested this, too, but can not say that we notice very much to the weight reduction. So this is the car for those who want to take it all out.
Whatever version you go for, Supra with manual transmission offers a whole lot of fun.
Do you think it will be expensive? Then we can add that the entry-level model in the GT family – GR86 – actually has one enda nicer and more cash manual gearbox.
GR86 you can watch video of here:
– The young people do not know what they are missing out on
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