Superb Supra: 7 things you should know about Toyota’s flagship sports car

The Toyota GR Supra (with the GR meaning “Gazoo Racing”) was formally launched in the Philippines last July 2019. If you’re wondering, Gazoo Racing “embodies Toyota’s commitment to overcoming every limit to make even better cars by forging new technologies and solutions under the extreme conditions of motorsports.”

The present iteration is already actually the fifth generation of the popular nameplate. I had a chance to get behind the wheel of this looker of a vehicle, and I should tell you, in a nutshell, that the performance matches the aggressive styling.

Well then, I’ve compiled some things about the Toyota GR Supra that I think you should know.

1. Made in Austria. GR Supra units don’t come from Japan. Rather, they’re made in Austria, specifically the Magna Steyr plant in Graz.

2. A long interlude. We had to wait for 17 years between all-new versions. That’s a long time, I know!

3. First time lucky. Also known as the A90 or Mk. V, this is the first-ever Toyota Supra to be retailed in the Philippines.

4. Rev rate. At 1,500rpm you can already realize maximum torque — a value helped along by the Supra’s 11:1 compression ratio which allows the twin-scroll turbo to spool up faster.

5. Boss-approved. No less than Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda oversaw the vehicle development. “The Supra is (Toyoda) brainchild, his baby,” said a TMP official during the Supra’s local launch.

6. Sounds good. The Supra has a 12-speaker surround sound system powered by JBL. Hear that?

7. Sibling revelry? Of course, you know that the Toyota and BMW co-developed the vehicle which eventually became the GR Supra and the BMW Z4. Both share a platform and engine, along with a common transmission (a ZF eight-speed automatic), dampers, and steering rack.

Photos from Toyota