Toyota has recently unveiled a new entry-level variant of its GR Supra sportscar. It has been introduced with the new turbocharged 2.0-litre engine from BMW’s sports car engine line-up. It produces 255HP of maximum power along with 400Nm of peak torque. The engine comes mated to an 8-speed ZF-automatic gearbox.
Although it has 81HP less power when compared to the 3.0-litre model, the 2.0-litre Supra takes 5.2 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph, which is just 0.8sec slower than the higher-spec variant. It is expected to match the 240kmph top speed of the BMW Z4 sDrive30i which uses the same engine.
The Supra’s chief engineer, Mr Tetsuya Tada said, “To achieve agile steering and stable cornering, we worked very hard to reduce the new car’s weight while aiming for a 50/50 weight balance. This presented us with huge challenges, but we did not want to compromise on our targets.”
According to Toyota, the new engine is more compact and is 100kgs lighter than the 3.0-litre unit so that it can be mounted towards the middle of the car for 50/50 weight distribution.
The new model of the car will come equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, an 8.8-inch infotainment system, Alcantara-trimmed sports seats and safety features like pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking.
The optional connect trim package brings satellite navigation and advanced connectivity features, while the sports pack includes an active differential, adaptive suspension and upgraded brakes. The entry-level GR Supra will be available in Europe from March 2020.
The prices of the car are yet-to-be-confirmed. However, the GR Supra’s BMW sibling, the Z4 is available in India at INR 64.90 lakh (ex-showroom, India). The Z4 is available in two variants: sDrive20i, and M40i variants. As of now, Toyota has no immediate plans to launch the Supra sportscar in the Indian market.