Everything I Like and Dislike About the New Supra

"DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!" (daft-ryosuke) 01/14/2019 at 12:19 • Filed to: None

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Well, the new Supra is finally here, after a long and perilous trail of leaks, heresay, and predictions. So far, it’s caused a bit of a stir (understandably) in the online armchair enthusiast world for a lot of various reasons. Some people love it, some think it’s a stain on the name. So, I thought I’d clear up my thoughts on the new Supra by giving you all a list of things I like and dislike about Toyota’s new flagship coupe.

What I Like

The Overall Profile

One of what seems to be the many defining characteristics of the Supra lineage is the distinctive fastback coupe profile that dates back to the original Supra’s liftback design. I’m glad to see it has returned in some medium in the new Supra, and the way they’ve engineered it looks great. In fact, the whole profile in general looks great, where you can see some of the character lines and scoops really come into play in an artistic, athletic design theme. Top props to Toyota for this.

The Rear End

My enjoyment of the design also transfers to the rear of the car as well, where I like the muscular supercar styling cues that Toyota has used here. The F1-style third brake light a la F12 Berlinetta is a nice touch, along with the accenting vents that trail off the tail lights that actually fit into the overall design characteristics (looking at you, Camry). It’s a real nice look overall.

The Engine

Toyota’s choice of a BMW straight 6 has been controversial to say the least, as The Fast and the Furious fanboys everywhere hoped for some kind of new JZ engine to furiously masturbate over. But, I appreciate that they let BMW handle this department, as I strongly believe they make the best petrol straight 6s in the business at the moment. Power is just right in the sweet spot at 335 bhp for this car, and I bet it’ll be a cracker to drive.

The Interior

Another point of contention I’ve seen is that the interior seems very much like a BMW creation, but once again, I wonder if there’s anything really wrong with that. While BMW interiors of the present are not as good as they once were, if Toyota were tasked with creating this interior, It’d be a cheaper mess of plastics and rubberized materials. At least the BMW interior has some style and substance to it. You’re definitely getting a $40,000 car’s interior, and that’s what you really want out of this.

What I Dislike

The Front End

I’ve tried endlessly to find an angle at which the front of the new Supra looks good, but I just can’t succeed at that. It’s really weird. I see what Toyota was going for here, but it just seems lost and battered with strange design cues and elements. I don’t like that extra long bit that trails off the head lights, I don’t like the F1-style grille and nose. It just seems like a mess to me. It might look better in person, though, so we’ll see.

The Lack of a Manual

I usually really don’t care whether or not a car has a manual. With how automatics have progressed to produce overall quicker times and higher speeds, I for one welcome our new dual-clutch overlords. But, in a car of this caliber, I think a manual would be a fun treat to have. Something about the thrill of running this through a canyon while rowing the gears seems fairly dream-like to me, but alas. It’s not really a deal-breaker, it’s just slightly disappointing.

Honestly, 3/5 isn’t bad. The new Supra is definitely a defining moment in car history, as it sees yet another legendary nameplate like the GT-R and NSX meets the modern world. Some people may not like some of Toyota’s decisions, but I quite like what they’ve done. I can’t wait to drive one and gather my own opinions on one, and who knows, maybe one day, if it’s good enough and they depreciate enough, I’ll have one in my own driveway. But, until then, it gets a score of, “pretty good.”

lone_liberal > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/14/2019 at 12:27

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My question is, if the best bits are from BMW why not just buy it from them? I’m also more than a little disappointed that the most successful car maker in the world has taken to letting other companies handle the development of their sports cars with minimal involvement from Toyota.   

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/14/2019 at 12:32

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Agree with all your points pretty much. Overall I am indifferent to the looks but looks best when you see it from top down in this color or darker. front 3/4. I absolutely do not like it in red at all.

I want to know why it’s not making 382 HP the Z4 m40i makes outside of Europe. It is faster than the equivalent z4 at 4.1 vs 4.4 to 60 though. I suspect a good ol’ BMW-esque underrating of the engine here.

https://www.autoblog.com/2019/01/14/2020-toyota-supra-vs-2019-bmw-z4-comparison/

Wish they could have bumped it to 400HP just for bragging rights if not anything and hitting that number 4 threshold. They will surely release special edition after special edition like the Gt86 with 5-10HP increments and reach there eventually.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/14/2019 at 12:33

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I'll second the comment on materials choice for the interior. Their newer offerings dont feel nearly as quality as mine, even 20 years later. However, I really do not care for BMW interior styling. It looks fine but I dont want fine. I want a BMW. 

412GTI > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/14/2019 at 12:38

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I agree with your thoughts for the most part. Like I said in my previous post, I think the Supra is a bit overrated with the whole internet/FF crews. I don’t think you could’ve made them happy unless you copy and paste’d the Mk4, 2JZ and all.

The bigger problem I see with this new Surpa is how it’s lacking a bit of love. While the BMW parts should be great in theory, the idea of a Japanese sports coupe being mostly German is odd. The new Z4 received good reviews, so I’m excited to see how the Supra does.

Discerning > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/14/2019 at 12:38

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An M240i starts at 45k

That’s my qualm with this car. I hope the chassis has some serious advancements to justify the price difference.

What what does this car offer that justifies that much more? It's a serious question. Does it have an LSD and adaptive suspension or an electronic diff like in the Corvette? 

DipodomysDeserti > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 01/14/2019 at 12:41

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Supposedly all the engine management for the Supra was handled by Toyota, so it’s probably just tuning. BMW has the B58 tuned down to 322 hp in the 340i.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/14/2019 at 12:43

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I mostly agree except one thing. I like the front. That picture you used where you said you couldn't find a good front angle pic, that was it right there. I'm down for the new Supra more or less

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > DipodomysDeserti 01/14/2019 at 12:44

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The tuners are already like.

But no way the B58 an handle 2jZ levels of power, reliably .

arl > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/14/2019 at 12:45

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Al l good points . This may be one of those cars that looks better in person than in pictures. Some angles look good, some look like an over-done mess.

I don’t love the interior pictures. but again, it may good when you’re actually sitting in the car.

The exterior seems a bit, “ blobby” , yet angular at the same time. I honestly can’t decide if I like it or not. Weird design.

DipodomysDeserti > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 01/14/2019 at 12:48

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BMW interior have looked pretty much the same for the last thirty plus years. Minimalism is kind of their thing. Only thing I wish they’s bring back is having everything angled towards the driver.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/14/2019 at 12:48

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I can’t decide how I feel about the fat, clunky steering wheel that feels like an ugly homage to ‘90s Supras.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/14/2019 at 12:49

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I reeeeeally hope this thing is the a hand brake. That would be sweet

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > DipodomysDeserti 01/14/2019 at 12:52

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Yes. I really like that about my cousin’s E30. 

Pich, with Z32 now featuring Civic [Si] / No > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 01/14/2019 at 13:08

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pretty sure the hand brake is within that circle, but not what you want it to be, its that electric switch below 

Variance > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 01/14/2019 at 13:08

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Which ultimately shouldn’t surprise anyone, since a typical modern aluminum block can’t handle anywhere near the boost of a closed -deck cast iron one, like the JZ had. I’d gladly take the lighter weight of the former over the horsepower of the latter, personally.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/14/2019 at 13:11

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That’s a good and fair take. Yeah this thing has been in the works for way too long – but I don’t get all the bitching about it. It looks unique and generally aggressive, if a little weird. I’d bet in person it’ll be quite a head turner…its very exotic looking for the price point. Completely agree with you on the interior too – if Toyota had done it, it would’ve been worse. Is the interior identical to the Z4 or different? Hopefully the latter.

I chuckled at some article interviewing some automotive industry analyst saying they don’t expect this to be a big seller, and Supra really isn’t that big a name anyway…like Mustang or Challenger. Such an old person take. If anything, the current batch of 30-50 year olds probably care a lot more about this name than those two, and they’re obviously entirely different beasts. Agreed that it won’t be and isn’t expected to be a volume seller, but it’s good to have the nameplate back and hope this is the start of more things to come.

camarov6rs > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/14/2019 at 13:34

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Is it telling that half the reasons you like the car are due to its BMWness? Also 1 of  your complaints is 100% Toyota and the other is probably a 50/50 because product planners. 

camarov6rs > DipodomysDeserti 01/14/2019 at 13:40

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Toyota has specifically said they have their own tuning to the engine and have been worried about the warrant ability of the BMW engine so I’m guessing they are lowering output to hopefully increase longevity. Just as Tchalla said they will probably raise the output little by little assuming they don’t have a rush of warranty claims.

camarov6rs > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 01/14/2019 at 13:43

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The 0-60 does seem suspect. My guess is the Supra being a bit lighter due to the hardtop nature and that Toyota is slightly under rating the power. The other side of it is that I think the Z4 0-60 is conservative so that the typical user may have an easier time reaching those numbers. In actual testing I’d be surprised if they remained that separate.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 01/14/2019 at 13:46

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Oh, I see. From top down the front makes a lot more sense. From the direct front it looks dildonic. From above it looks like a missile with a nose cone. 

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > DipodomysDeserti 01/14/2019 at 13:48

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Yeah but they made minimalism ugly.

Shift24 > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/14/2019 at 14:20

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Not sold on the BMW engine. While so far the B58 seems to be decent its BMW recent history with engines concerns me. Id also rather a T oyota engine for the sole fact it wouldn’t leak at 80k.

Look BMW engines are great on paper and when they are new (cept the N20, those can go at 5k). Once they get later in life, you are throwing parts at them just so they can make it down the street. And they love using plastic, literally plastic valve covers that love to crack ( N54s) .

Their parts are also astronomically more expensive. My 540i had a coolant hose go, $120 dealer and $81 online Genuine BMW. Went with OE for $ 34. T here is a joke in there about taking me on a date first.

Another long an drawn out issue is BMW and l ow weight oil to try to improve gas mileage. N20 is a prime example of that issue but that will take too long.

Spanfeller is a twat > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/14/2019 at 14:42

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I love everything about this car.

MM54 > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute 01/14/2019 at 18:13

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I am okay with the front, the rear is a mess to me, though.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/09/2019 at 18:40

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Came to an old post for a reason. What  was up with that “Cease” comment?

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute 03/09/2019 at 18:45

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And desist.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/09/2019 at 18:47

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What the hell are you talking about?

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/09/2019 at 18:53

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For the record, he has voiced his love for trucks and me and him had an hour long conversation about his first truck on Slack and shit so I don't know what you're getting at here.