Specifications of Toyota GR Supra V (A90) GR 2.0 (258 HP) Automatic
General characteristics of Toyota GR Supra V (A90) GR 2.0 (258 HP) Automatic
It's still amazing just how compact the Supra is, occupying nearly the same footprint as the much less powerful Toyota 86. Both four- and six-cylinder models ride on a 97.2-inch wheelbase and measure 172.5 inches long and 73 inches wide. However, the four-cylinder model makes do without adaptive suspension, riding 4.7 inches from the ground and standing 51.1 inches tall while the six-pot models have 4.5 inches of ground clearance and stand 50.9 inches in height. The biggest difference between the two is 219 pounds less weight on the 2.0, which has a curb weight of 3,181 lbs to the 3.0's 3,400-pound figure.
Way back when, when the Toyota Supra nameplate was birthed, six-cylinder models were dubbed the Celica-Supra, while those with two fewer cylinders were simply called the Celica. No longer is that the case, and for the first time, you can now buy a Supra with a four-banger under the hood. It's a BMW-sourced 2.0-liter B48 motor developing 255 hp and 295 lb-ft, the latter across a broad engine speed range of 1,550-4,400 rpm. The 3.0-liter turbo-six in the upper models has finally been given Z4 levels of power for the new model year, up to 382 hp and 368 lb-ft. Drive is sent to the rear axle, but despite less power being more manageable in the new base option, there's still no manual in sight and both models retain the exceptional eight-speed automatic gearbox.
As you'd expect, the four-cylinder engine lacks the grunt and punch of the larger six. BMW's four-banger feels gutsy enough under normal driving, thanks to its 295 lb-ft of torque available from just 1,550 rpm, but the car exhibits plenty of turbo lag when you try to punch it off the line without warning. And as with most modern turbocharged four-cylinder engines, the power dies off as it approaches redline, prompting you to shift early to keep it in the sweet spot. With two fewer cylinders turning gasoline into noise, the Supra 2.0 also lacks the aural sensation provided by the 3.0 with its intoxicating cracks and pops.
On the opposite end of the 2021 Supra spectrum, the 14 percent increase in power on the 3.0-liter inline-six is a much-welcomed addition. Not that last year's model felt slow, but this new model feels like it has been shot with adrenaline. Toyota has squeezed more power out of BMW's B58 motor by fitting a new dual branch exhaust manifold with six ports instead of two. This helps to improve the engine's airflow and heat management while a new piston design lowers the compression ratio from 11:1 to 10.2:1. These changes combine to help the inline-six produce more torque at higher rpm, giving this motor a much more rev-happy demeanor than its four-cylinder counterpart.
Despite nearly 50 hp more on tap, the 3.0-liter Supra is still remarkably light on gas, returning EPA estimates of 22/30/25 mpg city/highway/combined and sacrificing a single point on the combined cycle compared to last year's model. Estimates haven't yet been released for the 2.0, but with less power, less weight, and less displacement, we expect it to present impressive figures. Using the same engine/transmission combo as the BMW Z4 sDrive30i, we wouldn't be surprised to see it attain similar figures to the Bimmer's 24/32/27 mpg estimates. In real-world testing, we observed 27 mpg combined from the four-cylinder Supra. Regardless of the engine you choose, all GR Supras are equipped with a 13.7-gallon gas tank, and a full load of premium should net you anywhere in the realm of 340-370 miles worth of range in mixed conditions.
Five generations in, and while a 2.0-liter engine may have returned, the 2+2 seating arrangement of Supras of old is still nowhere to be seen. Instead, you get a genuine two-seater sports coupe cabin that's generally spacious but is a little less forgiving on taller adults. Everywhere you look, the BMW influence is still plain to see, but that means high-quality leather, a fantastic driving position, and controls that feel great in hand. We still wish the interior felt a little more authentically Toyota since you spend more time inside than outside staring at the body, and it's a sin we can't fully ignore. There's good news for 2021, too, as the old 6.5-inch infotainment screen is gone, replaced by an 8.8-inch display on all models, even the base 2.0, although the base speaker count is reduced to just four and the seats are manually adjustable for the sake of reduced weight.
In terms of interior space, the Supra's cabin remains largely unchanged for the 2021 model year. It still offers seating for two people with 38.3 inches of headroom, 42.2 inches of legroom, and 54.4 inches of shoulder room for both the four- and six-cylinder models. Headroom doesn't feel too limiting courtesy of the Supra's double-bubble roofline but taller drivers may want to watch their head while lowering themselves into the car. All six-cylinder variants of the Supra include 14-way electronically adjustable seats while the four-cylinder cars use lighter, manual seat controls.
No one ever bought a two-seater sports car for its luggage capacity, but the 10.2 cubic foot trunk of the GR Supra is surprisingly capacious, especially when a Nissan 370Z only offers up 6.9 cubes and a Mercedes-AMG SLC43 caters to even less. The hatchback-style liftgate also makes the Supra remarkably easy to load, and while the trunk might not be all too deep, it's broad and square and accommodates everything from luggage to groceries and almost everything in between.
The interior, while not being entirely practical with only two seats, makes up for this with clever storage that's easily accessible and as practical as you'd find in any other BMW. Ahead of the shifter, you get small storage cubbies for odds and sods, aft of it you get dual cupholders and an armrest storage bin. The door pockets are compact but well proportioned, and the glovebox is ample, but perhaps a little tight. But it is a sports car, so you'll be traveling light in any case.
