The Toyota Supra is one of the hottest cars on the road today. The Toyota Supra is a street legal twin turbo or single turbo sports vehicle that get the adrenalin going.

With the introduction of the 4th generation Toyota Supra, a new breed of sports car with 320 bhp in a 3400 pound car gave the world a wake up call.

Its early retirement from the UK market, in 1996, came at a time when the Supra, with the variable valve-timing engine, had become an even more hard-hitting performer, which explains the current preference for imports. Put simply, you can't buy a late model Toyota Supra unless its an import.

EXTERIOR

• High Solar Energy-Absorbing (HSEA) glass: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Projector-type low-beam headlamps and integrated projector fog lamps with auto-off feature: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Dual power color-keyed outside mirrors: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Color-keyed rear spoiler: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Removable Sport Roof: Factory option on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• 16" 5-spoke aluminum alloy wheels:
  • Standard on Supra
  • Not available on Supra Turbo.
• 17" 5-spoke polished aluminum alloy wheels:
  • Not available on Supra
  • Standard on Supra Turbo.
• Intermittent rear window wiper: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Variable intermittent front windshield wipers: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo

INTERIOR

• Leather-trimmed sport seats with power driver's seat:
  • Not available on Supra
  • Standard on non-turbo models with Sport Roof
  • Standard on Supra Turbo.
• Cloth sport seats with fore/aft and recline adjustments:
  • Standard on Supra
  • Not available on Supra Turbo.
• Rear seat with fold-down seatback: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Defroster-linked CFC-free automatic air conditioning with soft-touch climate controls: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Cruise control: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Power windows with driver-side "auto-down" feature: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Power door locks with "anti-lockout" feature: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Remote hood, rear hatch and fuel-filler door releases: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Leather-wrapped 3-spoke tilt steering wheel: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Center console with storage area: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Theft Deterrent System (TDS) with security light: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Heavy-duty rear window defogger with timer and side window demisters: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Carpeted floor mats: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Speedometer, tachometer, digital odometer and twin tripmeters; coolant temperature and fuel gauges: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Air bag, seatbelt, door-ajar, low-fuel level, oil pressure/level, brake, battery, taillamp, engine, master and Traction Control indicator (Turbo model) warning lights: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo

• Premium Electronically-Tuned Radio (ETR)/CD with 6 speakers and power diversity antenna:
  • Standard on Supra; non-turbo models with Sport Roof feature standard Premium 3-in-1 ETR/Cassette/CD.
  • Not available on the Supra Turbo.
• Premium 3-in-1 ETR/Cassette/CD with Programmable Equalization, 7 speakers (with subwoofer) and power diversity reception:
  • Not available on Supra.
  • Standard on Supra Turbo
• Auto-reverse Cassette Deck:
  • Available as an accessory on Supra
  • Not available on Supra Turbo
  • Not available on non-turbo models with Sport Roof.
• CD Changer Toyota 3D CD (3-disc in-dash):
  • Available as an accessory on Supra
  • Not available on Supra Turbo
  • Not available on non-turbo models with Sport Roof

SAFETY FEATURES

• Driver and front passenger air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS): Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo. Supra's driver and front passenger air bags are a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) designed to inflate in a severe frontal collision. In all other accidents, seatbelts offer primary protection, and the air bags will not inflate. Do not sit or place objects close to an air bag. To minimize the risk of severe injury or death in all types of crashes, seatbelts must be worn at all times by all vehicle occupants. Do not use rearwardfacing child seat in any front passenger seat. The force of a deploying air bag SRS may cause serious injury. For more information on air bags and instructions on child seat usage, see the Owner's Manual.
• 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes with Anti- lock Brake System (ABS): Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Side-impact door beams: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• 3-point front and rear shoulder belts with driver-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR); front and rear passenger Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractors (ALR/ELR): Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Collapsible corrugated steering column: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Traction Control (TRAC): Standard on Turbo models

SPECIFICATIONS

MECHANICAL/PERFORMANCE

• Engine:
  • 3.0-liter twin-cam 24-valve EFI inline 6-cylinder with VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing); 225 hp @ 6,000 rpm; 220 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm: Standard on Supra.
  • 3.0-liter twin-cam 24-valve EFI inline 6-cylinder with intercooled sequential twin turbochargers; 320 hp 5,600 rpm; 315 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm: Standard on Supra Turbo.
• Ignition:
  • Electronic: Standard on Supra.
  • Distributorless Toyota Direct Ignition System (TDI): Standard on Supra Turbo.
• Transmissions/Differential:
  • 4-speed automatic:
    • Standard on Supra
    • Optional on Supra Turbo.
  • 6-speed manual:
    • Standard on Supra Turbo
    • Not applicable on Supra.
  • Torsen® limited-slip differential: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
    Torsen® is a registered trademark of DK Gleason Inc.
• Body construction - Unitized body with modular suspension sub-frame: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Suspension - 4-wheel independent double-wishbone with gas-filled shock absorbers and spherical ball-joint-type stabilizer bar: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Steering - Vehicle speed-sensing progressive power rack-and-pinion: Standard on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Steering ratio: 17.5:1 on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Turns, lock to lock: 3 on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Turning circle diameter, curb to curb (ft.): 35.8 on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Brakes: Power- assisted ventilated 4-wheel disc on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Front twin-piston 11.6 vented disc; rear single-piston vented disc: Standard on Supra.
• Front four-piston 12.6 spiral vented disc; rear twin- piston 12.6 spiral vented disc: Standard on Supra Turbo.
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS): Standard, with logic control on Supra and Supra Turbo.
• Traction Control System:
  • Not applicable on Supra.
  • Standard on the Supra Turbo

EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS (in.)

• Overall height, unloaded: 50.2 on Supra and Supra Turbo
• Overall width: 71.3 on Supra and Supra Turbo
• Overall length: 177.8 on Supra and Supra Turbo
• Wheelbase: 100.4 on Supra and Supra Turbo
• Tread width (front/rear): 59.8/60.0 on Supra and Supra Turbo
• Coefficient of drag (Cd): .33 on Supra and Supra Turbo

INTERIOR DIMENSIONS front/rear (in.)

• Head room: 37.5/32.9 on Supra and Supra Turbo
• With Sport Roof: 37.3/32.9 on Supra and Supra Turbo
• Shoulder room: 54.2/43.8 on Supra and Supra Turbo
• Hip room: 56.7/42.5 on Supra and Supra Turbo
• Leg room: 44.0/23.8 on Supra and Supra Turbo

TIRES

• Size front:
  • P225/50VR16 Supra
  • P235/45ZR17 Supra Turbo
• Size rear:
  • P245/45VR16 Supra
  • P255/40ZR17 Supra Turbo
• Type - Speed-rated steel-belted radial blackwall: on Supra and Supra Turbo
• Spare Temporary: on Supra and Supra Turbo

WHEELS Front/Rear

Putting this lightweight structure into action is a superbly engineered twin-cam multivalve straight-six engine, or rather two variants of the 2JZ-GE unit. In its normally-aspirated form this engine produces 224bhp at 5800rpm and 210lb.ft of torque at 4800rpm. Boosted by twin turbochargers in 2JZ-GTE form, however, the engine produces a hefty 330bhp, which gave the Supra the best power to weight ratio of any car in its class.

The engine has square dimensions, with a bore and stroke of 86mm giving a total swept volume of 2997cc. The crank is supported on seven main bearings, giving it excellent high-rev refinement. The turbo engine runs an 8:5:1 compression ratio, which is one reason why it is not possible to simply bolt a turbo onto the normally-aspirated engine, which runs a 10:1 compression. Distributorless direct ignition reduces voltage losses through high tension cables, with each cylinder being fired by its own individual plug topping coil. Durability is enhanced by the use of a metal head gasket and aramid-reinforced timing belt.

The most striking feature of the turbo engine is the broad, strong torque band, with 90 per cent of its 325lb.ft delivered from as low as 1,300rpm and staying high to over 5,000rpm.

This muscle is provided by the sequential action of the small, lightweight, low-inertia turbochargers.

The big air intake blends perfectly with the front-end design, but it is also so effective in drawing cooling air to the radiator and intercooler that an additional electric cooling fan originally considered necessary was deleted from production cars, saving weight and power. The side vents cool not only the brakes but the differential housing and its oil cooler. The front airdam helps to reduce drag while the active front spoiler, which lowers at speeds over 56mph, assists in adding stabilising downforce.

The Toyota Supra has worn well over the years and still looks extremely up to date and impressive. It represents a genuine alternative to the likes of the Porsche 911, both in performance terms and build quality. Its legendary reliability, together with a sensible layout, high equipment specification and a civilised demeanour, makes it very easy to live with.

Toyota famed reliability is a good enough reason. The Supra is a very comfortable drive and has good head room. The suspension is not too hard and the performance is nothing short of stunning, with very few cars capable of keeping up, including a Porsche.

Parts are readily available  with brake pads costing a mere £32. Toyota have made a statement that they are a global company and will treat all Toyota customers accordingly.

Recently, Toyota and Mitsubishi have begun to service and supply parts for imports. After all, these are global companies, and they must provide parts for the cars they have built. Other companies will follow suit. Besides, there are many good independent garages which will be only too happy to service imports. Even Nissan and Mitsubishi have imported Grey Imports themselves, such as the Evo 6 and Skyline GT-R. Mitsubishi are now considering importing used cars…Watch the others follow within the next few years.

They are a perfect choice for a super car which is user friendly and should provide looks and performance without excessive costs unlike most other super cars available.

Supra's are real value for money. Servicing depends on where you go but we pay on average £250 for a full service and £150 for the intermediate service.