If it feels like this has been some time coming, then you’re not alone. The four-cylinder Toyota GR Supra was confirmed for Japan the day after the launch of the standard car almost two years ago. It was announced for Europe last January, then detailed further in March. Then you-know-what rudely intervened - that being the GR Yaris, of course - and all went rather quiet on the Supra front.
But no longer! The Toyota Supra GR 2.0 is on sale in the UK now, as “a sports car in its purest form,” according to Toyota. There’s some credence in that claim, too, as it shaves 100kg off the 3.0-litre’s kerbweight for 1,395kg (without a driver). Its 258hp and 295lb ft mean 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds with the standard eight-speed auto and 155mph. It will cost £45,995 for the 2.0 Pro, or £47,395 for the Fuji Speedway Edition.
The what now? First announced last January, the Fuji Speedway Edition is a limited run Supra GR 2.0 - 200 for Europe, just 45 for the UK - that features additional equipment. Each one will be white with black 19-inch wheels and red mirrors, with carbon trim inside in addition to the red leather and black Alcantara upholstery. It’s all meant to look very Toyota Gazoo Racing, you see. Crucially, however, none of the important equipment - kit like the adaptive dampers, active differential and Brembo brake calipers - is limited to the Fuji, as it’s all there on the standard car as well. The biggest dynamic difference will be the 18-inch wheels that come with the regular model, with 255-section front Michelin Pilot Super Sports and 275-section rears.
Everything else is as we were told last year, with 90mm chrome exhaust tips to mark out the 2.0 (they’re 100mm brushed stainless steel on the 3.0, but you probably knew that), 38.7mpg on the WLTP combined cycle and suspension carried over from the six - front MacPherson struts and a five-link rear. Even last year’s interview is identical. Toyota Master Driver Herwig Daenens has said once more that the new car “combines a decent level of engine performance with even sharper handling DNA” against its more powerful sibling. As for detail tweaks, the dampers, differential and power steering have been modified for the reduced kerbweight; “we spent a lot of time fine-tuning as we set ourselves high targets for the car”, said Daenens. Finally, the Gazoo Racing driver added that customers “will be pleasantly surprised by the performance of the ‘little brother’ in all aspects”, which is encouraging.
Those customers are now able to place their orders for the GR Supra 2.0, with deliveries actually due before the month is out - some good news for January! In terms of rivals, its somewhat inevitable to look towards Porsche and the four-cylinder Cayman (remember that!), as well as the more powerful Audi TTs and, er, not a great deal else really. Such is the state of the current coupe market. So thanks for adding one more, Toyota - we’ll be pestering for a drive imminently.
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