When I was given the task of writing the history of the Toyota Supra model for you, it was a great joy for me. I like these models very much because they are the embodiment of honest work, technique and unreal Japanese precision that created an icon and legend of Japanese motoring . This year, the fourth generation Toyota Supra, the winner of many competitions and races, the hero of many teenagers and the automotive dream of many petrol enthusiasts, will celebrate its twentieth birthday . The car, which at the beginning was just a faster version of the weaker brother Toyota Celica , later became independent to reap success and at its peak leave as a shining star decorating garages and walls of rooms.
Toyota Celica Supra Mark I
At the end of the seventies, the market for sports cars and GTs was not very numerous, on the other hand, competition was fierce. Nissan represented a very strong rival with its Datsun Z and Skyline models. Therefore, Toyota started thinking about expanding the Celica model range with a more powerful model called the Celica Supra . In order to meet the performance requirement, three in-line six-cylinder engines with a capacity of 2.0, 2.6 and 2.8 liters got under the hood, while the output varied between 100 – 116 horses. The technology of these engines was based on the units mounted in the Toyota Crown. It can be said that they were the direct successors of this unit. A five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic were on offer. Due to the installation of a more powerful drive unit, the chassis was modified and the entire car increased by a few centimeters in length and width. This modified model was produced in 1978-1981.
Toyota Celica Supra Mark II
The first generation of this model celebrated success and deservedly gained public attention in the sports car market. The Mark II successor was based on the third generation Toyota Celica , which was subsequently given sportier curves. We can notice these especially in the front part, which has received more aerodynamic, yet still angular shapes, folding lights, and on the sides the wheel arches have been widened. What was new was the independent suspension of the rear axle and the expansion of the range of engines to a total of six variants. The new and most powerful unit was an improved in -line six-cylinder 2.8l with an output of 174 hp. This engine was subsequently among the most sought after . Thanks to the good sales of this model, Toyota decided to please the drivers on the European continent and in 1982 it started selling there in limited quantities. This created an image of a luxury and exclusive car in Europe. The end of production and the introduction of the next model did not happen until 1986.
Toyota Supra Mark III
With the third generation, produced between 1986 and 1992, the name Celica disappeared and the Toyota Supra became an independent model in the automaker's range. A reference to its origin was left in the Mark III designation. What was not left behind, however, were the shapes and the range of power units. The curves of the body were given modern rounded shapes, which also appeared in the interior. Under the hood was a new three-liter turbocharged engine with an output of 230 hp, which was later tuned for a small series of the 3.0 GT special to a value of 270 hp. This gave Toyota the accolade of fastest Japanese car and homologation for Japanese races, the European Touring Car Championship and the World Rally Championship as a replacement for the Toyota Celica . The gates to the world of racing have opened wide. The fact that the Supra model was successful is evident to this day, when it is popular mainly among car modifiers, but also among drift racers.
Toyota Supra Mark IV
The Supra's previous successes in motorsport and car showrooms represented high demands and expectations placed on the latest generation. The entry was not made easy by the competition either, as at the time there were top cars on the market such as the Nissan Skyline, Nissan 300 ZX and Mazda RX 7 . Toyota did not disappoint and with the help of Isao Tsuzuki brought to the world a car that reaped success everywhere it appeared . Body shapes were miles away from the previous series, and the interior also got a completely new look. The new model was wider, lower, shorter and the car's overall aerodynamics were also worked on. There was a significant diet thanks to the use of light materials, which as a result lightened the car by a whole 100 kg . Modern electronic equipment and a height-adjustable front spoiler contributed to better handling. There was also a slimming down in the area of power units to just two variants. The first was an atmospheric three-liter with an output of 200 horsepower and a twin-turbo with an output of up to 320 horsepower. The choice was a traditional four-speed automatic, a five-speed manual and a novelty in the form of a six-speed manual, which was a real step forward in its time. Thanks to these parameters, the Supra was approaching the class of super sports. As part of the innovation, a new unit with the designation 2JZ-GTE was created and approved, allowing the use of 90% of its torque in the range of 1300 – 4500 revolutions per minute. True engineering black magic at the time. Isao Tsuzuk wanted to push this engine even further and find out where its limits were. After experienced tuning in the hands of experts, this engine reached an incredible 2041 horsepower . We can continue in the field of motorsport, where the Supra reaped success in Le Mans, Pikes Peak, SCCA races and in the years 1995-2003 was a tough competitor in the Japanese GT class. Supra also achieved further success on the big screen in the main role of Fast and Furious 1 , and appeared in its other sequels. It also made its way into countless computer games . The Toyota Supra was at its peak and its time for automotive retirement was slowly coming to an end. Interest in the sports coupe declined and sales in Europe were discontinued in 1996 . It was produced in Japan until 2002 , when its production was definitively terminated.
We still haven't seen its successor , even though there were some hints and speculations about the preparation of a new model. However, thanks to modern trends and demands on cars, I am afraid that the new successor will be a completely different car , and will only have a label on the trunk lid in common with its predecessors. I'll leave your feelings on a potential new model entirely up to you, but sometimes it's good to let a star rest and avoid its reincarnation. The line between a successful successor and a flawed rebirth is very thin.
Source: Toyota, autowp.ru
