Toyota GR Supra manual | Spotted
That multi-cylinder, rear-drive, manual coupe we've been clamouring for? It just happened
It’s patently clear to all those who care that the two-door coupe is struggling. There’s data to back up the hunch, too. So while we should still remain grateful that a V8 Mustang can be bought for (relatively speaking) not very much, when the big new launch is a Honda Prelude clearly something’s afoot.
On the face of it, the Supra manual looked like the answer to so many prayers. Here was a dramatic-looking rear-drive sports car with an iconic name and a fantastic engine; the introduction of the manual gearbox (which Toyota sweated over, remember, honing the shared parts) also saw the chassis revised as well. With a bit less weight, steering and suspension changes plus a reworked limited-slip diff, it ought to have been the Supra to really get enthusiasts excited.
But very few sold, with HowManyLeft data suggesting fewer than 50 are on the roads. Why? Well it might have been a case of Toyota giving people too much of a good thing. The eight-speed auto already suited the Supra package nicely, and the manual launched at the same time as the seminal GR86. The six-speed Supra was a nice sports car, but the 86 was a truly great one - for £20k less. The BMW M2 had to be a consideration as well, with its more powerful engine and keener dynamics.
That being said, the Supra offered a much nicer manual experience than the Beemer, and had both generations licked for a sense of occasion. If never quite as dramatic as the FT-1 concept promised, the Supra was exciting to look at in a way that no BMW could ever be.
And selling in small numbers means the GR manual is something of a prized asset secondhand. This example, one of the very rare special editions that all came in matte white, is for sale at £47,995 - it launched at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2022 at £55,995. With 24,000 miles under its forged wheels (another upgrade from the auto), that’s a great return. One that surely looks set to continue as well; Toyota is laudably committed to fun cars, though the idea of another six-cylinder, six-speed Supra looks more far-fetched by the hour.
And while the white with tan might not be to all tastes, this one does boast a full service history, a fresh set of Continentals this year and a smart rear spoiler. The auto was there for casual Supra fans; this was the one for real enthusiasts, and expect those that do come up to be similarly pampered. Finally, obvious though it might sound, there’s scope to make a manual Supra into something even more special for those that want it. Remember both Lightweight Evo and Final Edition used the manual gearbox and ran up to 435hp through minor changes; with extras like carbon Recaros, KW suspension, extra bracing, better bushes and so on. There’s nothing to stop the next owner of this one doing something similar…
SPECIFICATION | TOYOTA GR SUPRA 3.0 MT SPECIAL EDITION
Engine: 2,998cc, straight-six turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 340@5,000-6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 369@1,600-4,500rpm
0-62mph: 4.6sec
Top speed: 155mph (electronically limited)
MPG: 32
CO2: 198g/km
Year registered: 2023
Recorded mileage: 24,000
Price new: £55,995
Yours for: £47,995
They're really good fun and the B58 engine is genuinely astonishing for a turbo unit.
Overall things that put me off:
Felt a bit cheap/ordinary inside, for the money (and I was coming out of a 370Z Nismo)
The pedals are massively offset to the right
The test drive in the GT4... which wasn't the Supra's fault
I've 'lost' more in depreciation on the GT4 than I would have on the Supra, by the looks of it!
No it's not the purest form and it's sadly (Like a Brera) a slight mis-step from the concept... but it has presence I feel, and is genuinely different to look at and take in.
I'd absolutely have one.
I ve seen this a few times now. Why is this becoming a thing to describe a desirable ICE? It just comes across as clueless. Literally every ICE car is multi-cylinder , ferchrissake! In this case a six-cylinder. Why not just say that? It’s less typing even!
Or are single-cylinder ride on lawnmowers, go-carts, and the like also in the mix .
I ve seen this a few times now. Why is this becoming a thing to describe a desirable ICE? It just comes across as clueless. Literally every ICE car is multi-cylinder , ferchrissake! In this case a six-cylinder. Why not just say that? It s less typing even!
Or are single-cylinder ride on lawnmowers, go-carts, and the like also in the mix .
It's not a new usage, I'm sure I've seen it at least five years ago (so probably ten in reality).
The thing is, there's a certain kind of smoothness, richness and fullness of power delivery which is common to engines of six or more cylinders, and distinct from those with no more than four. It's therefore useful to have a shorthand way to refer to these sorts of engines as a general category, and "multi-cylinder", while technically incorrect, is close enough that most people understand what is meant.
Do you have a better term to propose to describe all engines with more than four cylinders?
For me the styling ( from the side is great ) but white ( as is the case for many cars does it no favours) Reading the performance figures I was surprised it has less claimed HP than say an E46 M3, but lighter at circa 1,495kgs.
But Il have one in dark metallic green with a tan interior please.
First was the looks. The concept was a really nice looking car. This is just awkward.
Second was auto only on launch. Yes its faster round a track and better as an everyday option but it needed a manual option from the beginning.
Third. Just the BMW ness of it. I like BMW. I have one now and owned a few in the past and will own another in the not too distant future.
Iff I’m paying £50k+ for a Toyota Supra, I want a Toyota Supra. Toyota just couldn’t hide the bmw ness. The gear selector was the same as my old 330e ect.
Do close yet so far.
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