Toyota GR Supra

On quick inspection, you might think the new Supra is a BMW in Toyota’s shell – after all, the cars are assembled from many of the same parts and at the same factory in Graz, Austria.

The test-driven three-litre Supra has virtually the same powertrain as the BMW Z4 M40i. The engine is a BMW-sourced straight-six and the gearbox is the same as the BMW, an eight-speed automatic made by ZF. The gearbox is set up very quickly and the response to the throttle pedal is remarkably precise.

The power train is the absolute heart of this three-litre model. There’s enough power to give the traction control enough work. Torque is a comfortable 500 Nm spread over a wide rev range. The rear tyres seem to be directly behind the back, so that even a slight loss of grip is easily noticed as lateral movement on the driver’s seat.

In terms of driveability, the Supra manages to surprise. Bringing technology in common with BMW sets a lot of expectations. However, it has to be said that Toyota does indeed challenge BMW’s well-known good handling in many areas.

The Supra’s steering is extremely precise, quick and responsive. The aluminium and steel bodywork seems to keep twists to a minimum, allowing the superbly tuned chassis to perform at its best.

The adjustable shock absorbers that come standard on this model make the chassis really snappy in Sport mode. Already in the Comfort position, the chassis is stiff and handles even faster driving well, but the Sport position adds a whole new dimension to the feel of the chassis.

The look is Toyota’s own, and the styling can take some getting used to. The personalised exterior will attract plenty of stares – not to mention if the colour were still yellow, one of the two available base colours.

The Supra is compact in size, with wide lines and a low centre of gravity that exude sportiness. Getting into a low Supra initially feels like slipping into a shallow cockpit, before the right trajectories are found.

In collaboration with BMW, the new Supra is a stunning package. Especially in terms of driveability, the car surprises the heck out of you. It’s hard to beat the driving pleasure of a two-seater sports car with rear-wheel drive and straight suspension.