Interviews with Chief Engineer Tetsuya Tada

[A70TTR]

We are on the edge of tomorrow and that tomorrow is EV, hydrogen, automatics/CVT, and other super disappointing things for the petrol loving.

Toyota's main R&D focus is alternate fuels and autonomous driving, which is why there's little money for anything else new, especially niche market products (see: Supra/86). It's amazing both of those cars were approved as collaborations and required some serious pleading with the board...

Sponsored

 

[solidsamir]

"All I can say is that I’m just so happy that we’ve made it to this point. I’ve finally been able to reveal the car to the UK; it’s the happiest day of my life. "

Honestly, it is incredibly refreshing to hear that Tada-san is very happy about this project and was incredibly passionate during its development. People can achieve incredible things when they are motivated by passion rather than trying to appease hard to please fans or make a lot of money. I am confident that this car will check all the boxes for me.

This truly is the next chapter in a lineage of amazing Toyota sports cars. With his final project, Tada was able to continue where Isao Tsuzuki left off. Any true Toyota fan should be proud of that fact.

 

[Jdmuscle]

We are on the edge of tomorrow and that tomorrow is EV, hydrogen, automatics/CVT, and other super disappointing things for the petrol loving.

Toyota's main R&D focus is alternate fuels and autonomous driving, which is why there's little money for anything else new, especially niche market products (see: Supra/86). It's amazing both of those cars were approved as collaborations and required some serious pleading with the board...

At the same time.. Nissan just reported that they will make the fastest car with the next GTR along with a statement that there won’t be any electrification. Wonder how FCA throws that Hellcat motor in pretty much their entire lineup (Jeep, Charger and now talks of the Commander and the Durango). Ford,GM, Porsche, going even more fiercely at that purist market that Toyota claims to be non profitable and negligible.

Even Honda is making a 3xx hP Civic etc.. all on their own without any JVs

 

[Guff]

At the same time.. Nissan just reported that they will make the fastest car with the next GTR along with a statement that there won’t be any electrification. Wonder how FCA throws that Hellcat motor in pretty much their entire lineup (Jeep, Charger and now talks of the Commander and the Durango). Ford,GM, Porsche, going even more fiercely at that purist market that Toyota claims to be non profitable and negligible.

Even Honda is making a 3xx hP Civic etc.. all on their own without any JVs

FWIW, it was Nissan's Design boss who made those claims. And he said, "Whether we go to a lot of electrification or none at all, we can achieve a lot power-wise" and then he goes on to say, "The challenge is on the engineer, to be honest. We will do our jobs when the time comes to make the car is something really special. But we’re not even close to that yet."

Seems like he's talking a big game and throwing the engineers under the bus lolll. But I have no doubt the next GTR will be fast af.

As for FCA, well, they're barely afloat right now and are mere months away from becoming part of the Korean government, so that's interesting. Honda is killing the game tho, props to them.

Of course, Toyota isn't blameless, but at the same time, you don't become the biggest car manufacturer in the world by pleasing everyone. Sadly us enthusiasts have been pretty low on the list of priorities for Toyota, and we're only just starting to claw our way back up lol.

Btw thanks for the article @Supra93, this particular part is my favorite lol:

“I’m really looking forward to hearing from them, actually. Thinking back to the introduction of the GT86, some owners of classic AE86 models were quite hard to please and were very critical of the new car. So it may be similar with this car. I know there are hardcore owners of the previous generations out there and it may be hard to convince them just by introducing a new car.

“But I have an open stance and want to offer my respect for the older Supra models. In turn, I hope the owners will be open enough to see what the new model is all about, even if it takes them some time to fully accept it.”

Tada-san is more than aware of what MKIV owners are like lolll

 

[supraboi]

 

[A70TTR]

Easy answer, Toyota puts money above all else; no exceptions.

Those other companies may cater more to enthusiasts, but they're also absolute plebs in comparison to income/volume lol.

And no, majority of those niche cars are not profitable, but they aren't supposed to be. It's like the LFA was for Lexus, halo cars that drive passion and marketing.

 

[PerformanceSound]

Interesting what Tada says here:

http://blog.toyota.co.uk/new-toyota-supra-interview-with-chief-engineer-tetsuya-tada

"Dynamically, Tada set high goals for the new Supra. "It’s actually the same level of rigidity as the Lexus LFA supercar, and it has been achieved without using carbon fiber so we could keep the price point at an affordable level. That was the most difficult thing to achieve," Tada told Toyota in a blog post about the vehicle's development."

"Now, Tada looks forward to hearing what Supra fans think of the new car, but he knows they might not be happy. "Thinking back to the introduction of the GT86, some owners of classic AE86 models were quite hard to please and were very critical of the new car. So it may be similar with this car. I know there are hardcore owners of the previous generations out there and it may be hard to convince them just by introducing a new car," he said."

"According to Tada, stricter regulations are making it harder to create traditional sports cars. "I think the new Supra will be the last present from Toyota to those who enjoy hearing the pleasing sound of a pure petrol engine at high revs," he said."

Looks like Tada really did have his hands tied up by corporate politics and regulations. In reality, I do appreciate his work and efforts to bring back the Supra nameplate. This might mean this is the last and final Supra and may be worth purchasing just from an investment standpoint (appreciation after discontinuation??).

 

[Jdmuscle]

You are thinking way too far ahead.. just cause they discontinue something doesn’t mean it’ll go up in value. MK2s and MK3s didn’t shoot up in value like the MK4 did.

 

[Modal170]

Interesting what Tada says here:

http://blog.toyota.co.uk/new-toyota-supra-interview-with-chief-engineer-tetsuya-tada

"Dynamically, Tada set high goals for the new Supra. "It’s actually the same level of rigidity as the Lexus LFA supercar, and it has been achieved without using carbon fiber so we could keep the price point at an affordable level. That was the most difficult thing to achieve," Tada told Toyota in a blog post about the vehicle's development."

"Now, Tada looks forward to hearing what Supra fans think of the new car, but he knows they might not be happy. "Thinking back to the introduction of the GT86, some owners of classic AE86 models were quite hard to please and were very critical of the new car. So it may be similar with this car. I know there are hardcore owners of the previous generations out there and it may be hard to convince them just by introducing a new car," he said."

"According to Tada, stricter regulations are making it harder to create traditional sports cars. "I think the new Supra will be the last present from Toyota to those who enjoy hearing the pleasing sound of a pure petrol engine at high revs," he said."

Looks like Tada really did have his hands tied up by corporate politics and regulations. In reality, I do appreciate his work and efforts to bring back the Supra nameplate. This might mean this is the last and final Supra and may be worth purchasing just from an investment standpoint (appreciation after discontinuation??).

I wish there was more individuals who worked at corporate levels who can give a breakdown of what really happens behind closed doors in terms of marketing and meeting regulations.

I'm just grateful that it feels like 1998 with sports cars to choose from at a reasonable price. Right before we hit another dark age, except it might stay that way.

 

[PerformanceSound]

You are thinking way too far ahead.. just cause they discontinue something doesn’t mean it’ll go up in value. MK2s and MK3s didn’t shoot up in value like the MK4 did.

True, but I was talking more about the discontinuation of the last car in the series. In theory, the MKV Supra will eventually be the last production Supra ever if what Tada is saying above is true. Also, considering what A70TTR and Guff have mentioned about the car being limited production, I think it will add even more value to it when (or if) it will be discontinued completely in the future.

 

[Prius_F_Sport]

The MkV Supra being limited-production would destroy the entire ethos of the car. And I kinda find myself hoping this is the last car, to let it die heroically before all the Priuses take over.
Hybrid 8th-gen Celica?

 

[Modal170]

The MkV Supra being limited-production would destroy the entire ethos of the car. And I kinda find myself hoping this is the last car, to let it die heroically before all the Priuses take over.
Hybrid MR2 ?

FTFY
Cause honestly, a TS050 esque hybrid motor in tech, not hp mind you, slapped in the middle to power the car would be cool and make people look at Toyota like


These animals!

The mods are discreet and under the hood only downpipe, air filter performance ecu chip tuning.

Don't floor it, enjoy it when you get it

 

[Jdmuscle]

True, but I was talking more about the discontinuation of the last car in the series. In theory, the MKV Supra will eventually be the last production Supra ever if what Tada is saying above is true. Also, considering what A70TTR and Guff have mentioned about the car being limited production, I think it will add even more value to it when (or if) it will be discontinued completely in the future.

Makes no sense for it to be a limited production car.. JV with BMW was to cut production costs and bring the Supra to the masses. Would it be a limited production car compared to a Camry.. yes.. but if you went and ordered one you should be able to get it. Limited production like the GT350 and not limited production like the GT350R I’d understand. Besides after the initial fanboy buying phase.. these cars will sit around just like MKIVs did

 

[Guff]

I wish there was more individuals who worked at corporate levels who can give a breakdown of what really happens behind closed doors in terms of marketing and meeting regulations.

Aw man, if you knew how hard Tada-San and his team fought to make things their way, you'd be distraught. There's a reason he's got the gray hairs, let me tell you. He went to bat for enthusiasts and has taken more than a few proverbial punches in the process. The respect I have for him is genuinely immeasurable, and there are very few people left like him in the car industry that I know of.

 

[LEG1T]

I hope he won the fight in getting a Manual Transmission in the mix !

Sponsored