Priced from RM568,000 (on-the-road without insurance), the new fifth-generation Supra retains the use of an inline-six engine that's been co-developed with BMW and after five years, the turbocharged B58B30C direct injection engine was born.
The Supra is available in eight colour choices namely Prominence Red, Lightning Yellow (+RM5,000), White Metallic (+RM5,000), Deep Blue Metallic (+RM5,000), Silver Metallic (+RM5,000), Matte Storm Grey Metallic (+RM12,000), Black Metallic +RM5,000) and Ice Grey Metallic(+RM5,000).
As a result of German antitrust laws, Toyota was prevented from fully developing the new Supra with BMW, but Germany allowed the two carmakers to work on the platform, transmission, suspension components and engine.
Other than that, tuning of the chassis, suspension and drive-train as well as interior and exterior designs were done independently to further differentiate the new Supra from the third-generation BMW Z4 (G29). Malaysia gets the mid-specced Z4 sDrive30i with a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine.
Getting its good looks from the FT-1 Concept first seen during the 2014 North American International Auto Show, the new Supra has a wheelbase of 2,470mm (-100mm) and also has a lower centre of gravity while having a 50:50 (front-rear) weight-balance when compared to the Toyota 86.
The Supra's body structure uses a combination of aluminium and steel to achieve a body rigidity that's 2.5 times higher than that of the 86 as well as the Lexus LFA which uses a carbon fibre reinforced polymer cabin cell.
Additionally, it also features a double-bubble roof to reduce wind resistance just like the Toyota 2000 GT and fourth-generation Supra (A80).
In terms of measurements, the 1,570kg Supra comes in at 4,379mm-long (+139mm), 1,854mm-wide (+79mm) and 1,294mm-tall (+9mm) and has a tighter cabin.
The equipment list includes items such as automatic wipers, reverse camera, aerodynamic underbody panel, dual brushed stainless steel exhaust tips as well as LEDs for the automatic adaptive front headlights, daytime running lights and rear light clusters before providing a 288-litre boot.
It rolls on 19-inch forged wheels as standard with staggered 255/35 (front) and 275/35 (rear) Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres for grip while the front double-jointed MacPherson struts and rear multi-link suspension setup for the Adaptive Variable Suspension tries to smoothen out irregular road surfaces.
For Malaysia, the Supra's performance comes from a 3.0-litre (2,998cc) turbocharged inline-six engine that feeds from a 52-litre fuel tank to produce 340PS from 5,000 to 6,500rpm and 500Nm from 1,600 to 4,500rpm.
The "twist" is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed ZF 8HP automatic transmission with paddle-shifters and also features adaptive cruise control, launch control and an Electronically Controlled Limited Slip Differential (LSD).
The Supra takes 4.3 seconds (1.1 seconds faster than the turbocharged A80 Supra) to sprint from 0 to 100kph. Top speed is electronically limited to 250kph.
The LSD uses an electronically controlled multiple plate clutch that teams up with the vehicle stability control (VSC) system to optimize the continuously variable control of the rear-wheel diff lock ratio across the full range during its century sprint.
Upon entry into a bend, the system selects a "lock ratio" to deal with the car's cornering performance and stability. During acceleration out of the turn, it increases the lock ratio to maximize traction performance.
Inside, the two-seater's cabin looks BMW-esque with features including an 8.8-inch touchscreen TFT infotainment display with Supra Command featuring a touchpad control, navigation, voice recognition, USB port and Bluetooth connectivity for the 500-Watt 12-speaker JBL audio system.
There is also an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, normal and sport driving modes, electric parking brake, dual-zone automatic climate controls, wireless charging, keyless entry with push-start button, leather upholstery, heads-up display, 14-way powered leather sports seats with dual memory function, an electrochromic rearview mirror and a 7.0-litre glove box.
For safety, the Supra has been equipped with seven airbags, anti-lock braking system, vehicle stability control, traction control, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, emergency stop signal, hill-start assist, blind-spot monitor and tyre pressure monitoring system.
To further bolster safety, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, adaptive high beam system, rear-end collision warning and speed limit info, as well as parking sensors with emergency braking function, has been added.
"This time, as never before in the past, so much attention has been paid to its handling capabilities. This is a sports car in its purest form, with no compromise,” said UMW Toyota chief motorsports officer and deputy chairman Akio Takeyama.
In conjunction with the launch of the new Supra, Takeyama also announced the arrival of the Gazoo Racing (GR) Garage - a "Shop in Shop" concept.
It will be available at selected authorized Toyota dealers to sell GR products that include the Supra, high-performance products and merchandise.
For starters, five outlets are currently available and are Fokus Tetap (Shah Alam), PCM Klang Motor (Klang), Wing Hin Automobile (Balakong), Telagamas Motors (Kulim) and Mutiara Motorsports (Masai).
The GR Garage makes Malaysia the first market outside of Japan to offer such products to consumers.
