Toyota unveiled the 2020 GR Supra at the North American International Auto Show earlier this year and it appears the company has big plans for the future.
In an interview with Top Gear, Supra chief engineer Tetsuya Tada said the “Supra needs to continue to evolve each year.” This likely means we can expect to see a handful of new variants in the future.
While Tada was coy on specifics, he suggested there will eventually be an entry-level model that uses a BMW-sourced four-cylinder engine. The BMW Z4 sDrive30i features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 255 hp (190 kW / 258 PS) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque, and it’s possible this engine could find its way into the Supra. If it does, we can expect the coupe to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in approximately 5.2 seconds.
While the engine is significantly less powerful than the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six, which produces 335 hp (250 kW / 340 PS) and 365 lb-ft (494 Nm) of torque, Tada suggested the four-cylinder model could be around 220 lbs (110 kg) lighter.
Speaking of lighter models, Tada hinted at a performance variant with more power and a sportier suspension. He suggested the car could follow in the footsteps of the 86 GRMN which was introduced in 2015 with a carbon fiber hood, plexiglass windows and a large rear wing. The model was also had a retuned suspension, a 99 lbs (45 kg) weight reduction and an upgraded four-cylinder engine with 213 hp (159 kW / 216 PS) and 160 lb-ft (217 Nm) of torque.
In other news, Tada suggested a manual transmission remains a possibility and said a targa variant would be more likely than a convertible. Speaking of the latter, Tata said “I’ve looked at it” but noted some customers aren’t fans of targas because of roof storage issues.
Tata also hinted the interior could be updated in the future. While he didn’t go into details, the Supra borrows heavily from the BMW parts bin so Toyota might want to change that later down the road.
