Toyota Supra

  Toyota Supra is popular in Japan

Toyota Supra – Japan’s High-Performance Icon

Overview

The Toyota Supra is a sports car and grand tourer that became one of Japan’s most legendary performance machines. Produced from 1978 to the present (with a hiatus from 2002–2019), the Supra is renowned for its powerful inline-six engines, rear-wheel drive, and tuning potential. It gained global fame through motorsport success, video games, and movies (Fast & Furious cemented its pop culture status*).

Generations

1. First Generation (A40/A50, 1978–1981)

   • Originally a larger, more powerful version of the Toyota Celica.

   • Inline-six engines up to 2.6L.

   • Marketed as the Celica Supra in many countries.

2. Second Generation (A60, 1981–1986)

   • Sharper styling, pop-up headlights.

   • Independent rear suspension and improved handling.

   • 2.8L inline-six engines (5M-GE) with up to 178 hp.

3. Third Generation (A70, 1986–1993)

   • Supra becomes its own standalone model, no longer Celica-based.

   • Turbocharged 7M-GTE inline-six introduced (230+ hp).

   • First Supra with available ABS and electronically adjustable suspension.

4. Fourth Generation (A80, 1993–2002)

   • The most famous Supra, powered by the 2JZ-GE (naturally aspirated) or the legendary 2JZ-GTE (twin-turbo, 280 hp JDM / 320 hp US).

   • Lightweight body with extensive use of aluminum.

   • 6-speed Getrag manual transmission on turbo models.

   • Massive tuning potential — 1,000+ hp builds are common.

   • Motorsport success in JGTC, drag racing, and drift events.

5. Fifth Generation (A90, 2019–present)

   • Co-developed with BMW, based on the BMW Z4 platform.

   • Turbocharged inline-four (2.0L, 255 hp) and inline-six (3.0L, 382 hp in US / 335 hp in EU).

   • Sharp handling, modern tech, and mixed reactions from purists due to BMW partnership.

Performance Highlights

• Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive

• Engines:

  • Classic: 5M-GE, 7M-GTE, 1JZ-GTE, 2JZ-GTE

  • Modern: BMW B48 (2.0L), B58 (3.0L turbo)

• 0–100 km/h:

  • A80 Twin Turbo – ~4.6 sec

  • A90 3.0L – ~3.9 sec

• Top Speed:

  • A80 – ~250 km/h (limited)

  • A90 – ~250 km/h (limited)

Notable Features

• Legendary 2JZ-GTE engine: cast-iron block, overbuilt for tuning.

• Perfect front-mid engine weight balance for handling.

• Aerodynamic design with distinctive rear wing (A80).

• Modern A90 offers adaptive suspension, launch control, and advanced driver aids.

Legacy & Enthusiast Appeal

• The A80 Supra is considered one of the greatest JDM performance cars ever built.

• Heavily featured in pop culture (Fast & Furious, Gran Turismo, Need for Speed).

• Collectors are driving up prices, especially for clean 6-speed A80s.

• The A90 brings the Supra back to modern showrooms, blending BMW tech with Toyota reliability.