2020 Toyota Supra

Well, here I am finally in the Supra. This is a long time coming it feels like. First thing I notice is that distinctive straight-six sound. That was something that Toyota really stressed was that the Supra needed to have a straight-six engine, which is why they went to BMW.

The engine, of course, is a 3-liter with a single twin-scroll turbocharger producing 335-horsepower and 365 lb.-ft of torque. For reference, the last Supra Turbo’s 2JZ engine produced 320-horsepower and 315 lb.-ft of torque. With Launch Control managing rear-wheel traction Toyota claims a 4.1 second 0-60 time.

There’s a lot of power down low. Peak torque goes from 1,600 RPM up to the mid-fours. Normally in a turbocharged car or really any car, naturally aspirated, whatever, you’re waiting for power but this is just right away. And it’s really not that precipitous, you know it’s not coming on so hard that it’s unmanageable.

It feels light. It feels a little bit twitchy, but that can be kind of fun. The grip is really good. Again, a lot of that has to do with the active rear differential, but also the tires. Michelin  Pilot Super Sport tires, which are in my opinion some of the best. They’re really grippy.

It’s just something Toyota did to let the intentions of this car be known. This a car that can certainly handle track day abuse.

Track capability is all fine and dandy, but the reality is most Supras, like other sports cars, will never see a proper road course so it’s street manners are every bit as important.

So, on the street the Supra feels pretty rigid, especially at low speeds going over bumps. I mean, it rattles you around a little bit, but this car is really more sports oriented.

It’s not real herky-jerky like some sports cars and a lot of that has to do with the ZF 8-speed transmission. It’s pretty quick. It’s not dual clutch quick but it’s also more comfortable than a dual clutch.

And it sounds pretty good. They did say that they pumped some noise in, but what they do not do is take any noise out. There’s really not any great focus on sound deadening.

For me, the leather seats in the Launch Edition were supportive enough, but the cabin is tight for anyone over six-feet. 

It’s also impossible to ignore the conspicuous BMW hardware, although there is a unique steering wheel and a modified e-shifter.

The first 1,500 examples will be those special Launch Editions coming in either white, red or black paint and starting at just over $56,000.

Despite what the internet says, the 2020 Supra is not a simple re-badge of the Z4. It’s tuned specifically in Toyota’s image. And from my time in it, I can say they’ve made a fun and capable sport coupe.