08 Supra?

[Lextreme II]

Just got this picture from a friend in Japan. Perhaps Toyota will bring something out to compete with the rest of the world. What do you guys think?
They are saying that it may have options of v8 or v6 but as they do, no confirmation on the motor, prob will do this after the new gtr has been released, the gtr is on sale oct 07 and the supra to be released jan 08, the picture you see has the same platform as some of the lexus, they are sure to 80% that what you see will make it to production, but you know toyota they will keep changing and confusing everybody till its release.

 

[cribbj]

From the articles in the various motor magazines, it looks like Toyota has pretty much locked down the shape of the car, which doesn't appear to be "too" bad, but it's certainly not stunning.

The real problem (IMO) is with the drivetrain. Toyota is going to power the thing initially with the 3.5L V6, said to produce 350 BHP, so they're aiming squarely at the 350Z. Unfortunately for those of us who have owned previous Supras, this sounds like a watered down version of the "real" beast, or just a gussied up version of its wannabe sibling, the Celica. Shoot, the MKIII and MKIV Supras were available with naturally aspirated motors, and those cars were complete dogs. Performance was anemic and the resale was terrible on them. What are Toyota thinking?

In order to carry forward the proud history of the marque, the "real" Supra needs either a supercharged V6, or the 4.6/4.7 litre naturally aspirated V8, and a weight to power ratio better than a Z06.

Toyota has a history of being last to the party with their new sports car, but when it does arrive, it's so far ahead of the competition (RX? & 3?0Z) that they are instantly outclassed. This car should be launched in the same manner, but it appears Toyota's conservatism is getting in the way of their creativity (again).

It looks to me that this is going to be just a "me too" car with equal or possibly "slightly" better performance than the 350Z, but no other real compelling reasons to buy it. With the current interest in high performance cars, there are some great options coming from Japan, Korea, and even (gasp) Detroit, so Toyota needs to knock the socks off all comers with this car, not bring out a "ho-hum" model that fits squarely in the middle of the pack.

I think this thing really ought to be launched either as a Celica, or with a few more bells & whistles added, as a Lexus SC350, and save the Supra badge for a V8 model.

 

[ed_ma61]

i think the horse is dead
*kick*

On August 15, 2006, all rumors of a Supra being produced in the future immediately were negated. The same numerous publications that originally speculated on a future Supra all stated no new vehicle was being developed. According to an AutoWeek article on current and upcoming Toyota vehicles, all rumors on the Supra's return are false. Automotive News also claim Toyota has absolutely no plans for a Supra in the future.

" All the rumors of the two-passenger sports car's return are false." - Automotive News

Toyota themselves have never released any material on a future Supra and now mainstream automotive press widely agree that there are no future plans for the vehicle. Any information dealing with a future Supra is purely speculation and not sourced by Toyota or reputable automotive press.

cheers
ed

 

[Anaema]

i doubted they would produce a new Supra any time soon.

 

[WDoherty]

i have also heard that there will be no supra, but there may be a a 2 door is, like an is350 and is500 somewhere in the 350hp to 450hp ranges, respectively.

 

[cribbj]

Well, the conservative folks at R&T are still talking about it as recently as this month:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=7&article_id=3346&page_number=4

Additionally, a fellow Supra enthusiast who works with Toyota's corporate organisation, let it be known that a very impressive new car was on test at Suzuka earlier this year. He wouldn't call it by name, nor divulge any details about it, but the audience that read the announcement were 100% Supra owners.

Personally, I think Toyota will bring this car to market in the next year or two. I just wish they'd make it as spectacular as the MKIV Supra was when it hit the showrooms in late 1992.

 

[WDoherty]

that looks like great news if it comes through, its too bad though i really don't think anything can do what the mkIV did in 92', these are different times.

 

[4000GT]

This topic pops up every few weeks on various forums with photochopped pics... wait till Toyota release something.

 

[turboandrew]

If it has 350 HP, I think they are following the same strategy they did back with the mkiv, at least in comparison to the other import options out there. They will have a comfortable lead over the 350Z, about the same gap they had with a [stock] mkiv supra over the 300zxtt. I think we tend to forget the mkiv only had 320 HP, and the competition generally had ~300 back then. We are a bit spoiled with the bolt on 600 HP solutions we have gotten used to.

That being said, I probably would not buy one unless I knew for sure I could upgrade it without high cost, or wait until they offer a more compelling engine, like a 450+ HP V8. I really hope it weighs less than 3200 lbs as well. But one thing that keeps me from buying: I think my current Supra will suit me just fine for quite a while (assuming I get it running!)

 

[Anaema]

the MKIV has alot more torque than than the 300ZX, which probly made up for the measly HP advantage.

 

[UZZ30-Québec]

The supra doesn't need a V8, it needs a Highly responsive, torquey and modifiable engine, a great design (don,t tell me any pictures found on the net are nice!) and some engineering.

I don,t beleive toyota will release the supra anytime soon. But I do think they will try to test the market with the IS500 wich would be around the price of the new supra (don,t forget the MK4 costed a LOT of money) and the IS500 will be a beast. Twin turbo Striaght 6 or V6, or at least a supercharged OEM 1UR. But still, the idea of a V8 or a supercharger doesn't follow the japanese line of the supra. This thing needs to be turbo. V8 is nice but... V8 is the easy way i think.