2020 Toyota GR Supra

The new 2020 Toyota Supra is finally here, and we’ve got the scoop on how we think this car will perform as your next track toy. We got the chance to drive the all-new 2020 Supra at Toyota’s North American media launch at Summit Point Motorsports Park, and came away feeling that it was a good track car off the showroom floor, and just a few key mods away from greatness.

The chassis is extremely driver-friendly—almost too driver friendly at times, as you have to remind yourself to keep a light grip on the steering wheel as it doesn’t respond well to clumsy inputs. But that light touch is rewarded with true nimbleness, and good grip. The grip is especially excellent under complex dynamic situations, like exiting a bumpy turn under power, or braking over a crest in the road. It’s a car that does multiple things at the same time with nary a complaint.

The nits we can pick on track are mostly things that will be upgraded anyway. The factory Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires are an amazing all-around tire, but a set of more dedicated track tires like BFG Rival Ss or Bridgestone RE71Rs would sharpen that little bit of dullness on corner entry. It would reduce that momentary soft spot between action and reaction that is typical of even the best street tires. Likewise the brake pads could be swapped for a bit more aggressive compound and that little bit of high-temperature softness that occurs with the stock pads will likely disappear.

Much has been said about Toyota’s decision to use an 8-speed automatic transmission connected to the 335hp inline-6 instead of a true manual or dual-clutch trans. Probably the best thing we can say about that is don’t panic. It’s fine. Shifts are crisp, positive, and well-timed to the paddles in manual mode. And there’s little noticeable torque converter lag between the throttle and the drive wheels. The connection feels very direct, and makes it easy to adjust the cornering attitude of the car with the go-pedal.

Here's our compete video review of the new Supra:

For a lengthy discussion of technical details from the media launch, we devoted an entire live show to the new car. It’s got tons of content right from the designers and engineers for the new Supra, as well as speculation and commentary from our viewers and host. Check it out here:

If you just want the exciting sights and sounds, here’s a couple laps of the Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point Motorsports Park with no annoying commentary or music: 

If you're just here for the photos, check out our full gallery below:

Possibly the ugliest car ever designed.

HapDL said:

Possibly the ugliest car ever designed.

I was gonna say in that color it reminds me of a large RF.

I kind of dig the overall look, but the front end below the headlights is way too busy. 

That said, I do appreciate that the look of the lights and rear end are a nice throwback to teh previous Supra (though I never liked how those looked either, in truth). 

But looks are irrelevant at this point for me. If it's not offered with a traditional manual, it's not on my list of things to look at buying for my next car, no matter how good the automatic is or what other features the car might have. 

HapDL said:

Possibly the ugliest car ever designed.

It looks kinda ug to me. Gap tooth, google eye, high rear end. That thing is all over the place. 

It looks nice from the side. I think the Z4 looks much better, at least less visually offensive to me. The 90’s supra looked very good to me. Probably the last toyota that i thought looked good. 

This is like the weird mashup of a viper gts(roof bumps) and a alfa romeo giulia. 

I’d never be a potential customer for one in general, but yeah, without a real manual transmission, definitely a no-go. 

Having spent some time with a 1999 Z3 M Coupe, both on the track and long drives at speed, I am looking for some time in this car. Yes, the dork has a stick and it is also sporting a supercharger, but the rear suspension is at best a compromise

I for one have given into the "8" speed, I did a SCCA time trials at Buttonwillow in a Camaro SS 1LE and I now know it's better than I am.

I would second getting it on a set of RE-71's, those I have no issue with. They work in the damp as well as dry.  Can you turn off the Nannies?

Not a pretty car... like most cars these days, it looks like it was designed by committee.

And that console...  looks like it was designed for the RHD version??

It does sound nice, though...  

jr02518 said:

Having spent some time with a 1999 Z3 M Coupe, both on the track and long drives at speed, I am looking for some time in this car. Yes, the dork has a stick and it is also sporting a supercharger, but the rear suspension is at best a compromise

I for one have given into the "8" speed, I did a SCCA time trials at Buttonwillow in a Camaro SS 1LE and I now know it's better than I am.

I would second getting it on a set of RE-71's, those I have no issue with. They work in the damp as well as dry.  Can you turn off the Nannies?

 

  

All the nannies turn off fairly easily, actually. It's very track-friendly in that regard.

It’s growing on me.  I’m starting to like it.

Sorry - can't get past the fact that it's just a (barely) re-bodied BMW.  And what's with a "track test" with no detailed performance numbers?

Is that a harness bar I see behind the seats?

Well played

I want to be the first to call the faux harness bar the 'birth control bar'.  Named due to the fact it keeps the seat from being reclined all the way back!

MichaelYount said:

Sorry - can't get past the fact that it's just a (barely) re-bodied BMW.  

82 242-6.2L Volvo; '17 Mazda3; '16 X-Trek

Serious question: Why is this a bad thing?

I like it. I'll take one in black or white, please! 

JG,

Can the screen in the middle of the dash, the one that obstructs your vision be made to disappear?

Or at least turn it off?

While it has a pretty side profile, things drastically change when moving either direction. When I see the nose, I see this:

And when we move the the back, I see:

and if you think that means I like the ass end of this car, no. No way.  It looks like the flat pancake I’ve pictured above, with a thong sticking out, awkwardly. 

In a break from all the hate...

Do you have a close up/higher res shot that includes the top of the strut tower?  Usually this is a stamped area... I'm curious how they are building the strengthening ribs into it.  

Love it.  No manual, no PDK, only auto....  really dislike that.

In reply to HapDL :

Have you seen the Civic Type R?

As for the new Supra.  I agree with most of the sentiments here.  It's ugly and no manual.  No thank you.

jr02518 said:

JG,

Can the screen in the middle of the dash, the one that obstructs your vision be made to disappear?

Or at least turn it off?

I think you can turn it off, but it's not really in the eyeline. From where you sit the top of the screen is below the end of the dash. Never bugged me at all.

AnthonyGS said:

Love it.  No manual, no PDK, only auto....  really dislike that.

But, it works just fine. If you got in the car and I told you it was a dual clutch I bet you wouldn't know the difference. It goes up when you press up, down when you press down, and there's no converter lag noticeable. Everyone is getting way too hung up on details and not paying enough attention to how the thing actually works.

I like it.

But...

For the price they are asking, I'll imagine driving a much better car that I also can't afford. $55k, $250k or $1,000,000, it's all the same past a certain point for me.

JG,

Cal Club is having an event the weekend of June 8-9th at Buttonwillow that includes a Time Trial, the event is going to be run counter clockwise.  I volunteer to focus on how it works.

I might have the M Coupe to do a comparison, if that helps.

David 

JG Pasterjak said:

MichaelYount said:

Sorry - can't get past the fact that it's just a (barely) re-bodied BMW.  

82 242-6.2L Volvo; '17 Mazda3; '16 X-Trek

Serious question: Why is this a bad thing?

There are differences between a Toyota and a BMW beyond just the badge. How it’s built and serviced, how reliable it is, and how it “feels.” Does this feel like a bmw or a Toyota? Why buy this over the z4?