The new Nissan GT-R is anything but new. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X has gone bust; the next one will likely not exist. Subaru’s “new” WRX STI RA JL FTW OOTD TTYL NBA FIFA has more letters in its name than torque and is also relatively more expensive than a BMW 340i – which has more power and torque and refinement. Honda just got its mojo back with the excellent Civic Type R and lost it again with the NSX. Mazda makes excellent cars across the board while Toyota just made do with the 86.
However, not long ago – about 50 hours earlier – the specs of Toyota’s new Supra sports car were leaked. This, I’m so excited about. I remember when I was a kid – oh, wait. I still am! – there wasn’t a racing video game that I did not have a Toyota Supra. I’ve even had the 1991 MA70. Then I have a neighbor with an A60 that looks like an AE86 Trueno. Of course you realize that I’m reminiscing Toyota’s golden age of performance, the 80’s and 90’s. The car maker whose origin is looming cotton resolved to making boring cars as early as 1999. Even the Celica SS counts as boring because it is front-drive.
A70 Supra
Tuned JZA80 Supra
But Toyota will unveil the car that will revive its sporting roots at Geneva next month, the MkV Supra. The specs were leaked by a forum on SupraMkV.com and they are quite scintillating. First we start with measurements. The new model, er, models with a length of 172.4 inches, 73 inches in width, and a height of 50.8 inches. Which makes the new Supra virtually the same size as the one it replaces, if a tad shorter. When it comes to mass, the new model tips the scales at 3,284 lbs. A flyweight compared to the last Supra Turbo’s 3,461 lbs.
Castrol Tom’s Supra GT in GranTurismo 2
Keeping things interesting is the powertrain. While everybody went away from their original formula – Honda Civic Type R opted for turbocharging instead of a naturally aspirated four, the GT-R being a V-6 from an inline-6, and the NSX for being digital – The new Supra will be going with a turbocharged inline-6 like Supra’s of yore. But this time the engine is made by BMW, courtesy of their joint venture. It will have 335 hp up from 280 hp in 1998, and 332 torques. This engine will also be used to power the next BMW Z4. And…that’s all we have for now. Stay tuned and look for this car at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show next month.
Paul Walker’s Supra in The Fast and The Furious