Toyota GR Supra 2.0, Supra-leggera
Do you see what we did there? Superleggera, Supra, Supra-leggera. Oke, it sounds less cool when you explain it.
First things first for all those JDM-lovers and BMW-fanboys! Yes, the Toyota Supra and BMW Z4 are almost exact copies of each other. But without this team-up, we wouldn't probably have either. That's the reason why collaborating was a pretty good idea.
Supra-leggera
Toyota was kind enough to lend us their Supra for a few days and I'm going to be honest. I was a little bit disappointed to hear it was the 2.0-liter. But the guys at Toyota insured me the 2.0-liter four-cylinder is a very good choice to get to know the Toyota GR Supra. Reason: the four-cylinder weighs 100 kg less than the 3.0-liter six-in-line and it lost a lot of that weight on the front, in its nose.
That 2.0-liter four-banger ain't a shy one power but isn't over-endowed.
258 hp and 400 Nm of torque gets the rear-wheel-drive sportscar in just 5.2 seconds to 100 km/h and stops at 250 km/h. So choose your battles wisely at the red-light. Just like the 3.0-liter alternative, the Supra GR 2.0 shifts thanks to an 8-speed automatic gearbox from ZF. Thank God, that ain't a CVT. The 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox gives a nice balance between sporty and comfortable use but could just have that little bit extra sharpness when really pushing the car to the extremes.
Not only the smaller engine ensures weight loss but it means also losing the Active Sports differential. Something we missed while pushing the Supra into the corners. Certainly in the wet.
The suspension combined with the nice steering feel and the ability to attack a corner just with the throttle -in the dry- would make you think the Supra 2.0 is a full blood sports car. But living with it shows its true color.
We get the feeling Toyota is placing the Supra 3.0 as a real sports car, while the four-cylinder will be bought as a daily driver. Our tested 9.2 liter/100km fuel economy contributes to that daily use but ain't the 7.4 l/100km they promised us.
Dare to be different
The year was 2014 and Toyota pulled the canvas of their FT-1 Concept. Wow, those lines! Could it be? Is this going to be the new Toyota Supra? Yes! God, thank you! In 2019, Toyota finally revealed the Toyota GR Supra and you can really see the similarities. But like every "concept going to production"-car, the GR Supra lost the sharp edges.
The "get out of my way" nose contributes to the sexy car the GR Supra is. Sharp headlights, nice details (like the front splitter) and the long sloping hood adds up to the sportscar the 3.0-liter is. You're going to be happy to hear the 2.0-liter and its bigger brother looks completely the same. From the side, the bonnet immediately catches the eye and as a second eye-catcher: those wide hips! Almost level "J-Lo".
At the back, it's hard to say what we like best. Those wide hips, the double exhaust, the reversing light that looks like an F1-fog light or the little duck lip spoiler. Maybe all of those qualities combined. Ten out of ten to the designers from Toyota.
BMW with Toyota-logo
Sorry, we couldn't resist a comparison with the BMW Z4. The interior is the most similar thing in this car (together with the engine). Go and get blindfolded into the car. Let everything come to you: smell it, feel it and if you really want: tasted it. You will taste the BMW-flavor.
But hey, that ain't a bad thing. The infotainment system is easy to use, works fast and looks the part. Where Toyota takes the lead on its stepsister is with the digital cockpit in front of you. It looks analog with a big tachometer and breath sportiness!
A huge advantage and suddenly a considerable disadvantage is the lack of a separation between the cockpit and trunk. It has never been easier to dig in your trunk, but don't brake too hard! Your weekly groceries could easily dive into your neck.
Would CJ by one?
If you would ask me: Yes, I would. The possibility for daily use and the smaller engine (less CO2, less engine size = in Belgium very important) makes it a good choice. Awesome looking and great driving character complete the picture. Toyota, take my 50.000 euro and 3.300 euro extra for the premium pack (head-up display, JBL Surround sound, black leather interior, ...) for a Lighting Yellow one!
