Toyota Supra GT4 gets green light | Update
430hp racer is now fully homologated for competition in 2020
The GT4 version of Toyota’s Supra has officially been homologated for motorsport, meaning it’s ready to compete on the racing world stage with its uprated turbocharged straight-six engine and enhanced aerodynamic package. GT4 regulations restrict the modifications allowed from a car’s roadgoing base, hence this Toyota’s relatively light enhancements as far as motorsport modifications go. But the closeness with the regular car only adds to expectation that a GT4-influenced road model could be produced in the future…
For now, though, those wanting a higher-spec Supra will need to be of the race licence wielding kind, such as the drivers who’ll be competing in the first confirmed Supra GT4 customer cars. Ring Racing near the Nürburgring has already bought two vehicles, one to compete in the ADAC GT4 Germany Championship, and the other to race in the nine-part Nürburgring endurance series, formerly the VLN. Those same cars will then be used in the Nürburgring 24 Hours. So there’s set to be plenty of Supra GT4 action.
The specs of the racer haven’t changed since last year’s announcement (read the story below for more on that), but Toyota has confirmed that its accumulated almost 7,500 miles of testing on racetracks. That’s a heck of a lot for a competition machine, which should give buyers and prospective customers real peace of mind if they opt for the Supra over the likes of McLaren’s 570S, Aston Martin’s Vantage and Ginetta’s G55 GT4 racing cars. A recent drive of the latter confirmed to PH that these machines prioritise approachability, but that they’re also ruddy fast – not least because of their significant diets. The Supra GT4, for example, is 220kg lighter than the road car.
It’s not unheard of for manufacturers to tie what they’ve learned with such racing alterations into a higher-spec road version at a later date. Indeed, it’s long been mooted that something more potent than the brilliantly rounded but not particularly extreme standard Supra is on the cards. Heck, Dan even said it seemed highly likely after his first drive. Fingers crossed our assumptions are correct, because a honed rear-wheel drive Japanese sports car with a tuned-up six-pot engine is certainly tantalising.
Original story: 30/10/2019
Those hoping for a more powerful Toyota Supra should find today’s announcement from Gazoo Racing racing rather exciting. The Japanese marque has confirmed that its upcoming GT4 machine will use a 430hp and 479lb ft straight-six when it reaches tracks in 2020, where it’ll face the likes of the new Saleen 1 GT4 and existing challengers from Porsche, McLaren et al in what’s fast-becoming one of the best-supplied categories in motorsport.
Extracting more power from the Toyota’s B58 straight-six heart needn’t have been difficult, given that its capacity and cylinder count matches the F80 M3's 431hp motor and Litchfield's recent efforts to extract 450hp from it. But the GR-influenced 110hp bump in power for the GT4 car marks the first time a Toyota-produced Supra has reached such heights. We needn’t explain why it adds fuel to anticipatory flames for a quicker, more focussed version of the two-door road car, which has pretty much been rumoured since the moment the J29 Supras arrived in the spring.
Such a car could even be based on the GT4 racer, since class regulations dictate minimal modifications. The GT4’s engine improvements come thanks in part to Akrapovic’s exhaust (likely related to the one already offered for the road car) and a new engine map. While the GT4’s exterior changes centre around a front splitter and fixed rear wing. Underneath, the MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension gains stiffer KW dampers, and there are bigger six- and four-piston brake calipers to complete the makeover. Not exactly ground-breaking stuff.
Even the gearbox is only a modified automatic with seven rather than the road car’s eight ratios. Although as a proper racing car, the GT4 does go the full hog and also get slick tyres, a motorsport differential, a fully stripped-out interior with a roll-cage, a bucket seat and six-point harness. It weighs only 1,350kg, meaning it’s a substantial 220kg less than the street Supra – and among the very lightest of the GT4 field before any Balance of Performance weight is added.
The first Supra GT4s will be ready for March next year, just in time for the motorsport season to kick-off. Gazoo Racing will also debut a 620hp four-pot version of the two-door for the more exotic Super GT series in Japan a month later, meaning the Supra should become a familiar sight on race tracks the world over pretty quickly. A nice build up to that hotter road version, some might say.
But it just doesn’t feel that special, not sure if it has anything to do with BMW involvements but I wouldn’t consider one.
Shame on you Toyota! I expected better!
.... I always think there's something cool about a stock-looking car on black rims with big, fat slicks 
(maybe it's just me?) ..... but will it actually get to race in 2020? Formula 1 has obviously been shutdown, but what's the story with everything else? Along similar lines, are track days still on? (I'm talking UK here obviously). I was just about to book a couple for April, there was nothing about Covid 19 on the websites but I guess it could all change. Does anyone know any more than I do on this (a bit off-topic - sorry)?Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff