Manual Toyota GR Supra launched in the US — could it be PIMS 2022 bound?

MANILA: Thanks to a new six-speed intelligent Manual Transmission option, the 2023 Toyota GR Supra expands the driving experience. The 2023 Toyota GR Supra manual already combines performance, power, and style, but the addition of a stick shift adds the element of hands-on involvement.

It also adheres to Toyota Gazoo Racing's ongoing updates to the fifth-generation Supra, a model that keeps making waves in the sports car market. The manual GR Supra has been unveiled in the US market where it will retail from US $52,500 (around P2.9 million as of this writing) to $58,345 (P3.3 million).

Will we see Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) bring the manual GR Supra at the 2022 Philippine International Motor Show? Based on the exciting details revealed about the manual sports car, we cannot help but to assume its local arrival.

“When we revealed the GR Supra back in 2019, we tapped into a heritage nameplate for Toyota,” said Mike Tripp, Vice President of Toyota Vehicle Marketing and Communications.

“But we were regularly asked if there would be a manual version. We immediately took that feedback to heart and started developing it, and we’re happy that we can now bring customers the perfect complement for Supra’s high-torque, high output engine with a six-speed manual.”

The Toyota GR Supra 3.0 and 3.0 Premium in 2023 have a Manual Transmission option. Supra also enhances its eye-catching appearance with new colors and limited editions. Additionally, a constrained A91-MT Edition model will be created for the 2023 model year only.

All of the Supra standard colors, as well as a new Stratosphere Blue color that will also be offered on the Supra 2.0, will be available for the GR Supra MT 3.0 and 3.0 Premium. Burnout (matted white) and CU Later Gray will be the colors offered for the A91-MT Edition.

The six-speed manual transmission for the GR Supra was created by Toyota Gazoo Racing Engineers in collaboration with Toyota Motor Europe and German transmission manufacturer ZF. It was constructed using parts that were especially made to match the power and torque characteristics of the engine's three-liter, 382-hp straight-six.

The technical team deleted components that were unnecessary, such as the acoustic package, integrated an existing transmission case and gear set, created a new shift lever, and lowered weight to make the manual Supra only 3,389 pounds.

A newly developed big diameter clutch with a stronger diaphragm spring is at the center of the transmission. This new part is more suitable for use with the high-torque engine in the GR Supra manual since it has a wider friction area and a stronger spring.

The driver's cockpit's ability to support a manual shifter was another important consideration. The lever ratio was particularly chosen to reduce the amount of effort needed to engage reverse gear and make shifts. While the weight, shape, and level of shift engagement of the shift knob have all been properly determined. In order to offer a 1.7-inch space between the shift knob and the control panel, the console unit and location of the drive mode selector were changed with ergonomics in mind.

The Toyota GR Supra fulfilled Toyota President Akio Toyoda's desire to create a vehicle that is solely focused on the thrill of driving and was the company's first global Gazoo Racing (GR) model.

Following that, the launch of models like the GR Corolla and the GR86 coupe has strengthened the distinctive characteristics that characterize the GR brand — cars that are born out of a passion for driving and directly draw on the expertise and experience of Toyota Gazoo Racing, which has won numerous world championships.

At launch, the 2020 Toyota GR Supra was offered with a straight-six 3.0-liter engine with 335hp and 495Nm of torque matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission. In 2021, the GR team increased the 3.0 Supra to 382 hp and 497Nm. of torque, and introduced a turbocharged four-cylinder GR Supra 2.0 with 255 horsepower and a stout 360Nm of torque.

Despite the fact that the car and its performance have earned great accolades from the media and enthusiasts alike on a global scale, it was inevitable that the query of whether a manual transmission will be offered continued. Having added the Toyota GR Supra manual line, Toyota will now officially sell all three of its U.S. models from GR with a stick, which is a standard feature on the GR Corolla and an optional feature on the GR86.

The traction and brakes of the GR Supra have been enhanced for use with a manual transmission.

When the opposing wheels are on surfaces with differing amounts of grip, such as when the car is parked on a partially snowy road, progress is smooth with almost no rolling back or wheel slide when using the automatic transmission.

First gear must be used when using a manual gearbox, and releasing the clutch increases the risk of wheel spin.

Toyota experts have modified the TRAction Control (TRAC) system of the car to create a smooth functioning similar to the automatic in order to fix the problem. The system is additionally tuned for the rear-wheel drive, wide tires, and high engine torque that are distinctive to the GR Supra.

The development of a new Hairpin+ feature was in part motivated by the desire to make the 2023 Toyota GR Supra manual pleasant to drive even in the most difficult conditions. When taking tight corners on an incline with a high friction road surface and an uphill gradient (greater than 5%), this is intended to provide the driver more freedom and reward.

To allow for a bigger differential in wheel spin between the left and right side tires, Toyota has improved engine torque control. More "freewheel" spin can make such routes more fun to drive.

The Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) of the GR Supra has been supplemented with an Anti-Roll Program (ARP) to combat the potential for "snap-off" oversteer, which may be challenging to control with VSC alone. This intervenes at an earlier point with the VSC to counter any sudden loss of grip when the car’s high-response suspension setting is used.

GR logoed shift knob, 12-speaker premium JBL sound system, and rare hazelnut-colored leather-trimmed seats are all included in the 500 unit limited-run 2023 Toyota GR Supra A91-MT special edition.

The outside of the vehicle is highlighted by a red "Supra" Badge and red GR Supra-branded calipers. It has unique forged 19-inch Frozen Gunmetal Gray wheels and will be available in two limited-edition colors: Burnout and CU Later Gray. Red strut tower braces underneath the hood give the already edgy Supra one more touch.

For increased roll balance and ride comfort, the suspension has been adjusted on all 2023 GR Supra 3.0 cars, including the AT and MT versions. The operating parameters of the system as well as the mechanical parts of the electric power steering have been tweaked. An active rear sport differential will come standard on all 3.0 versions.

The 2023 GR Supra 3.0 MT will feature new 19-inch forged aluminum wheels and be offered in Stratosphere Blue in addition to the regular and premium colors that were already available.

Inside, heated seats with black leather trim have become standard. The 3.0 Premium includes all of the same features as the 3.0, as well as a full color heads-up display, an acoustically tuned 12-speaker JBL sound system, and a Qi Wireless charging as standard.

Photos from Toyota

Also read: First impressions: 6 things we learned about the 2022 Toyota GR86