SUPRA LOVERS, YOUR STICK SHIFT HAS ARRIVED!

By NITISH S. RELE – motoringtampabay@gmail.com
In Latin, “supra” means “above” or “beyond.” Employing that spirit in designing the Supra, three years ago, Toyota created a car worthy of the beloved marque’s dramatic and much-awaited U.S. comeback after a long hiatus.
Picking up design cues from the sleek 1967 Toyota 2000 GT (double-bubble roof, for one!) and the fourth-generation 1993-2002 model with its rounded look and high performance, the Supra GR exhibits a rakish exterior combined with a clean unfussy interior.
Under the long swelling hood of the 2023 Supra crouches a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine. This power plant produces a whopping 382 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 368 pound-feet of torque at 5000 rpm. That translates into 0 to 60 in just 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. Remarkable for a slightly 3,389-pound vehicle? You bet. But the best news of all is that the car now is available as a 6-speed manual! That should bring plenty of smiles to the faces of stick-shift buffs! To accommodate for this welcome addition, Toyota has revamped the suspension and steering systems.
Push the starter button to summon the twin-scroll turbocharger, and the rev-happy Supra emits a throaty exhaust roar.
Keeping that muscle on the road are a double-joint spring McPherson strut front end and a multilink rear suspension that provide a stable refined ride even on harsh roads and in bad weather. An adaptive variable suspension instantly adjusts damping force in response to driver input and road conditions.
The sport-calibrated electric power steering — direct, responsive and accurate — gives extra confidence behind the wheel. Stopping the two-seater, which rides on 19-inch alloy wheels, are 13.7-inch ventilated front discs and 13.6-inch rear disc brakes. Four-wheel antilock brakes, traction and stability control join in to avoid any mishaps.
Safety is built into the Supra with eight airbags, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure and forward-collision warnings. The optional $1,195 driver-assist package fetches you dynamic radar cruise control (varying speed and maintaining a safe distance from vehicle in front), blind sport monitor, rear-cross traffic alert, and parking sensors with emergency brakes. Go for it!
Appearances matter, too. The prominent triple-grille front fascia gives the car a hungry look and provides generous air intake. Above, sweptback six-lens LED headlamps have integrated daytime running lights and turn signals. Think muscular! Same goes for the rear with the tall retractable spoiler reminiscent of the 4th-gen Supra’s wing.
The cabin possesses all the luxury accoutrements expected in a Bimmer. No, that’s not a typo! Since it shares the engine, gearbox and steering rack with the BMW Z4, it’s not inappropriate that the Supra mirrors the BMW roadster’s interior with an 8.8-inch infotainment touch screen, shifter knob, and climate controls.
Our Stratosphere Blue test driver came with 14-way power leather seats, a three-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters, and a function-packed center console, all in stunning black, dual auto a/c, head-up display and 12-speaker JBL sound system. Carbon fiber dash and door trim enhance the sophistication.
With a base price of less than $55,650 and gorgeous from any angle, the iconic marque has truly returned “above” and “beyond” all expectations.
SUPRA (premium)
Tires: 255/35R19 front; 275/35R19 rear
Wheelbase: 97.2 inches
Length: 172.5 inches
Width: 73 inches
Height: 50.9 inches
Fuel capacity: 13.7 gallons
City: 19 mpg
Highway: 27 mpg
Price as tested: $57,940
Web site: www.toyota.com