GR Supra Racing Concept: Geneva 2018
Racecar concept inspired by as-yet-unreleased road car unveiled to the public
We knew that that car would not be making an appearance at Geneva this time around, but despite this, there was still an element of intrigue in Toyota's pre-show foreshadowing of a Supra-related reveal - and here it is.
This, then, is the GR Supra Racing Concept. It's a front-engined rear-wheel drive racer which shares much of the styling expected from the road car, but makes extensive use of an unidentified 'lightweight composite material' for many of its parts. These include but aren't limited to the front and rear bumpers, bonnet, front splitter, rear diffuser, side skirts, and rear wing. The doors are lined with carbon fibre and the windscreen and windows are made of plastic for additional weight savings too.
Lowered suspension front and rear, BBS racing wheels with centre-locking nuts, Michelin racing tyres, Brembo Racing calipers and discs, and a racing exhaust complete the 'because race car' bingo sheet.
All of these details are somewhat moot, of course, given that this is just a concept - albeit one clearly very heavily influenced by the upcoming production car. On that subject Tetsuya Tada, the Supra's chief engineer, told Autocar that manufacturing would begin early next year.
"Supra is the sports car of Toyota, and we're very proud of its heritage," he said. "It's really fun to drive this car. Front-engined, rear-drive - with such a concept, you can have the greatest amount of fun."
He continued: "The development of the GT86 was extremely difficult. Before the GT86, we experienced lots of time with no sports car. There was nothing I could learn from my predecessors, so we did it from scratch. With Supra, it's different. We learned form the GT86 experience, so the process was much smoother."
Can't wait to see the end result? Neither can we. For now though, the Racing Concept - coming to a PS4 near you in Gran Turismo Sport format - will just have to do.
"Supra is the sports car of Toyota, and we're very proud of its heritage"
So much so that they got BMW to develop it on one of their platforms and put their engine in it. Not necessarily a bad thing as BMW know a thing or two about rear wheel drive and straight sixes. Obviously Toyota will have input on the set-up/tuning but it just doesn't feel like a Supra to me.
"Supra is the sports car of Toyota, and we're very proud of its heritage"
So much so that they got BMW to develop it on one of their platforms and put their engine in it.
As someone who has had Subaru, Toyota and BMW sports cars, I find my brand loyalties, errr, confused but... aroused by all this cross-dressing?
"Supra is the sports car of Toyota, and we're very proud of its heritage"
So much so that they got BMW to develop it on one of their platforms and put their engine in it.
As someone who has had Subaru, Toyota and BMW sports cars, I find my brand loyalties, errr, confused but... aroused by all this cross-dressing?
If they have to borrow mojo from other companies to get themselves back on the right track so be it. The resultant GT-86 is a gift to drivers wanting a lower cost, involving, proper sports coupe. If the new Supra fills a similar slot further up the food chain then it will be fulfilling a great and noble purpose.
I would have a Toyobaru currently but couldn't stretch to it after a recent house purchase (and the subsequent new kitchen, new bathroom, new everything that has followed... ). Instead I went old school and got something similar (four pot, RWD, analogue) - a 944.
"Supra is the sports car of Toyota, and we're very proud of its heritage"
So much so that they got BMW to develop it on one of their platforms and put their engine in it.
As someone who has had Subaru, Toyota and BMW sports cars, I find my brand loyalties, errr, confused but... aroused by all this cross-dressing?
They'll still attempt to retail it for £45k-£50k but will make their money through interest on PCP.
My only assumption is that this car was originally intended to be launched around 2002, to compete with the likes of the mediocre 350Z and RX8 - hence its dated concept and low rent spec (frighteningly close to Toyota's own Celica territory). They must have pulled the plug on it due to possibly very poor sales forecasts, young males were aspiring to buy SUVs and not cramped expensive to build from scratch NA sports cars that had to meet the modern emission and safety requirements of the time.
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