After disappearing for 21 years, the Toyota Supra made a much-anticipated comeback for the 2020 model year. To say it was well-received would be an understatement. Despite criticism from some enthusiasts about Toyota’s partnership with BMW, the 2020 GR Supra exceeded expectations. And given that it’s one of the most iconic Japanese nameplates of all time, that’s saying something.
Only a year after its introduction, the GR Supra retains the curvaceous bodywork and in-your-face styling elements that are sure to draw a crowd. But it has undergone a slew of significant changes that make the venerable sports car even more impressive than it was.
The 2021 GR Supra has dialed up the horsepower on its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six from 335 to 382. A four-cylinder model joins the lineup, as does the special edition A91, which boasts a wealth of distinctive interior and exterior appearance items.
We’re just getting started. Summer’s right around the corner, which means it’s time to talk about sports cars. And no other car is a better fit for welcoming the rising temperatures than the 2021 GR Supra. Below, Mount Airy Toyota digs into some of the most commonly-asked questions about the modern version of the legendary coupe:
What’s the GR Supra’s Connection With BMW?
The current generation of Supra was first introduced in 2014 as the FT-1 Concept. To bring the idea to fruition, Toyota needed a partner. Thus, the GR Supra shares a platform, running gear, engine, gearbox, and many interior elements with the BMW Z4. The partnership is all about economics, as it has been with other partnerships in the past. In the end, it shows that Toyota would do anything to bring back the Supra in full glory.
The Supra remains prominent in the history of Japanese car culture, contending with models like the Nissan GT-R and Honda NSX. Toyota president Akio Toyoda, who also happens to be a sports car enthusiast, described the Supra as “an old friend that holds a special place in my heart.” So, when Toyota realized that there was a missing piece in their dreams of a Supra rebirth, it’s no surprise that it looked for ways to rectify the situation.
Here was the predicament:
The straight-six layout was one of the most crucial components of the legendary Supra. If the Supra were to reemerge, it would have to use that layout. However, Toyota doesn’t build those anymore. And taking on that task wasn’t viable. Chief Engineer Tetsuya Tada implied that reproducing the straight-six layout would require an all-new engine design plus an entire engine plant. And since BMW is one of the only carmakers that manufactures the layout, they were the best option for moving forward.
The teams from Toyota and BMW collaborated on a prototype nicknamed Fullrunner, which was essentially a 2 Series Coupe with a shortened wheelbase. The boards from each automaker drove the prototype and approved it. From that point on, each team developed their cars separately.
How Has the GR Supra Improved Since Last Year?
It was hard to see much room for improvement in the 2020 GR Supra, but Toyota somehow stepped up its game for the 2021 model year. And by the way, the world’s largest automaker has laid out an ambitious roadmap for the Supra’s development. So, we’re likely to see some significant changes with each coming year. For now, we’ll focus on the 2021 GR Supra 3.0 trim, as it arguably provides the most bang for the buck.
The B58 Engine
When the GR Supra was introduced, many performance aficionados had a problem: It ran on the same turbocharged B58 straight-six engine as the BMW Z4. Yet, the Supra only produced 335 HP and 365 pound-feet of torque, significantly less than the most potent version of the engine found in the Z4 M40i.
This problem has been resolved. The 2021 GR Supra 3.0 puts out 382 horses and 368 lb-ft of torque (matching the Z4 M40i). Plus, the 3.0-liter engine now comes with new pistons to go with a refreshed cylinder head and exhaust manifold design. You can hit peak horsepower from 5,800 rpm (an 800-rev bump from last year’s model) to 6,500 rpm, and the redline comes in at 7,000. The Supra’s 0-60 has improved from 4.1 to 3.9 seconds, and the speed is still capped at 155 mph via an electronic limiter.
The best sports cars are the ones that provide balanced performance. Yes, sheer power is essential, but it’s not enough. Toyota knows this, which is why it worked hard on ensuring the Supra’s chassis could match the engine’s increased potency.
There’s more structural rigidity on the 2021 GR Supra; the strut towers are tied to the radiator support via aluminum braces. There are new bump spots on the front and rear. And the damper tuning has received a revision. Moreover, the electronic power steering, active rear differential, and stability control are powered by upgraded software.
Behind the Wheel
Turbocharged engines are known for their lack of eagerness in the upper rpm ranges, and Toyota revised the B58 with that in mind. When driving the latest GR Supra 3.0, the changes to the beefed-up engine are instantly noticeable. On open roads, the Supra seldom feels short of breath, and it delivers impressive power in both the upper and lower rpm registers.
Another obvious quality is the powerful sound of the exhaust. Boy, is it loud and awesome, especially when you engage Sport Mode. Along with making the Supra sound like the commanding sports car that it is, the Sport button modifies several parameters, including throttle sensitivity, transmission behavior, and damper stiffness.
The 2021 GR Supra is the most sure-footed version of the nameplate yet. The handling composure is even better than last year’s model, and overall ride quality remains stellar. Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires help to keep the rear end in check around corners. All and all, thrill-seekers and daily commuters alike can drive the new Supra 3.0 with confidence. And the now-standard 8.8-inch infotainment display (up from the previous 6.5-inch screen) and Apple CarPlay integration are a nice touch.
Which GR Supra Trim is Best?
The 2021 GR Supra is available in four trim levels. Make no mistake—with any model you choose, you’ll be getting a sexy, powerful, world-class sports car. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have your needs and preferences. Let’s take a look at some key differences between the Supra trims, as well as how they stack up against a few competitors:
GR Supra 2.0
As the first-ever four-cylinder model in the lineup, the base 2021 GR Supra 2.0 gives consumers a slightly more practical option. More than 200 pounds are dropped from the car, in part thanks to the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. This model is the most fuel-efficient at 25/32 mpg city/highway, compared to the 22/20 mpg rating of the 3.0-liter straight-six. That may not be a drastic difference, but it leaves the Supra 2.0 more efficient than the base Porsche 718 Cayman Coupe (also a four-cylinder).
Fuel economy is also aided by an undertray that provides greater downforce and aerodynamic efficiency. Other standard features on the Supra 2.0 include 18-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, auto-leveling headlights, and LED taillights. Inside, drivers will enjoy the 8.8-inch LCD infotainment screen and 8.8-inch LCD gauge cluster display. This model offers plenty of standard safety technologies as well, including automatic high beams, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Sure, the Supra 2.0 isn’t the most powerful model in the lineup. But the four-cylinder still pushes 255 horses, which beats out other turbo-fours like the Lexus RC300 coupe and BMW 230i. Plus, the $44,000 price tag is quite attractive.
GR Supra 3.0
Dollar for dollar, the 2021 GR Supra 3.0 is hard to beat as a sports car. The 3.0-liter turbo straight-six engine offers one of the highest outputs (382 hp) in the rear-wheel-drive premium sports coupe class. The Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 and Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 edge out the Supra 3.0 in horses, with 400 and 394, respectively. But the Supra 3.0 makes up the difference in fuel efficiency.
There’s a significant upgrade in standard fare with the GR Supra 3.0. In place of the base model’s single-piston calipers, the 3.0 gets a Brembo front brake upgrade with four-piston units. There’s also an adaptive variable suspension, engine bay chassis braces, and 13.7-inch rotors (instead of 13.0-inch rotors). The Supra 3.0 rides on 19-inch wheels and boasts brushed stainless steel exhaust tips. It also gets a 10-speaker audio system and 14-way adjustable front seats.
The GR Supra 3.0 comes in at about $52,000. The eight-cylinder versions of the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, and Ford Mustang start at lower prices, but the Supra 3.0 offers more standard performance features.
GR Supra 3.0 Premium
The GR Supra 3.0 Premium adds a decent amount of goodies to the base 3.0. It gets a color head-up display, as well as heated black leather front seats in place of the Alcantara and leather-trimmed seats found in the lower trims. A 12-speaker JBL audio system, wireless charging, and Apple CarPlay compatibility come standard. And an exterior finish exclusive to the 3.0 Premium, called “Phantom”, is available along with the six other Supra colors.
The Supra 3.0 Premium starts at around $55,000. The tech and seat upgrades, and perhaps even the exclusive exterior color, are enough to make the $3,500 increase from the standard 3.0 worth it to some drivers.
GR Supra A91
Capped at 1,000 units, the 2021 GR Supra A91 is a special edition that is an identical mechanical match to the 3.0 Premium, save the head-up display. The charm of the A91 lies in its aesthetic upgrades. The rear carbon spoiler gets a black satin finish, and in place of the lower trims’ matte black side mirrors are carbon-fiber heated mirrors that automatically fold. The A91 also offers an exclusive blue exterior color (“Refraction”), as well as “Nocturnal” black graphics. To finish, black and blue leather adorns the seats and interior. This is the perfect collector’s car, and it’s only a $305 hop from the 3.0 Premium.
The Verdict
The 2021 GR Supra is a legend reborn. But it’s even more than that—it’s a stunning sports car that offers a composed, confident, and all-out thrilling drive through and through. While there are other capable RWD sports coupes in the same price bracket, the GR Supra simply offers more standard content to go with its one-of-a-kind design and overall appeal.
All things considered, the 3.0 model remains our choice as the modern Supra most likely to become a classic. But only you know which one you were born to drive! If you would like to learn more about the 2021 GR Supra models on our lot or schedule a test drive, call Mount Airy Toyota today! (336) 786-2118.
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