Analysis, Comments & Reactions from the Web about the new Supra

Guff said:

I did not, but I'll have my man on the ground ask tonight.

Also, you guys are talking about the RC and LC chassis', but guys, I don't think you realize how much of a step forward this chassis is compared to those cars. It's in an entirely different league, and that's just by the numbers. This thing is no joke! From a pure engineering standpoint, it is a modern marvel.

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Sweet, thanks.

I think people are just mad about the shorter overall length and wheelbase.

2JZ-No-Sh*t said:

Sweet, thanks.

I think people are just mad about the shorter overall length and wheelbase.

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That's like being mad about a chef changing the amount of pepper and salt in a dish from 1.5 tsp to 1 tsp, while having added 14 other new spices that you chose to ignore. If it tastes good, it tastes good.

Guff said:

That's like being mad about a chef changing the amount of pepper and salt in a dish from 1.5 tsp to 1 tsp, while having added 14 other new spices that you chose to ignore. If it tastes good, it tastes good.

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While your guy is at it, could he ask Tada-san if he has any comments about the 2nd gen 86, SF-R concept, and rumored new MR2?

Guff said:

That's like being mad about a chef changing the amount of pepper and salt in a dish from 1.5 tsp to 1 tsp, while having added 14 other new spices that you chose to ignore. If it tastes good, it tastes good.

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@Guff Like curry powder?

Kaizen said:

@Guff Like curry powder?

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Lol exactly

Modal170 said:

I can re-phrase it to say Toyota go into the parts bin for something light to start and it won't change a thing. The RC is sturdy, and heavy because it was built to be a GT car, and the LC is also heavy at 4000 pounds. You can't just chip away. If toyota copped some M performance parts to fuel their Supra, that shows how much effort and care went into making the car.

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I respectfully disagree that it wouldn't change a thing. There would be a lot less angry car enthusiasts if Toyota went through their parts bin instead of BMW's.

The Supra has always been a GT just like it has always had a straight six. Toyota was able to shave off 721 lbs with the RC F GT Concept several years ago and the RC F GT3 weighs 2680 lbs so there were possibilities. The Toyota version could have done away with all of the luxury items that make a Lexus a Lexus; full leather everything, full infotainment system which includes more wiring.

Oh well, what's done is done. The only reason why the MKV is a 2 seater is because that's what was part of the deal and the ingredients that they were given. Toyota had to make it work.

Guff said:

I did not, but I'll have my man on the ground ask tonight.

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I know this is a random thing to try and find out, but if you still have a friend there, can they find out if we're going to be limited to CarPlay, or if Android Auto has a chance to be installed? I know it looks like BMW hardware, but if there's a chance, I know myself and others will be very happy

Guff said:

That's like being mad about a chef changing the amount of pepper and salt in a dish from 1.5 tsp to 1 tsp, while having added 14 other new spices that you chose to ignore. If it tastes good, it tastes good.

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ehhh... maybe. I just prefer the GT look over a smaller Porsche looking car. I guess I would have to see the MKIV and MKV side by side in real life without all these bizarre camera angles to mask the sizes. I am not a huge fan of the mkv, but I am happy Toyota gave it the green light. I'm sure the car is going to be an awesome and fun vehicle to drive

twntrbo03' said:

ehhh... maybe. I just prefer the GT look over a smaller Porsche looking car. I guess I would have to see the MKIV and MKV side by side in real life without all these bizarre camera angles to mask the sizes. I am not a huge fan of the mkv, but I am happy Toyota gave it the green light. I'm sure the car is going to be an awesome and fun vehicle to drive

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Until then, here is a photo comparison.

https://www.supramkv.com/threads/toyota-supra-size-dimensions-comparison-thread.1634/

Kaizen said:

@Guff Like curry powder?

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Guff said:

Lol exactly

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Are y'all Indian?

2JZ-No-Sh*t said:

Until then, here is a photo comparison.

https://www.supramkv.com/threads/toyota-supra-size-dimensions-comparison-thread.1634/

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Thank you sir! I think the shorter wheelbase is what is really throwing me off TBH.

twntrbo03' said:

Thank you sir! I think the shorter wheelbase is what is really throwing me off TBH.

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Anytime, here's another one for you.

Guff said:

Tada-San said that all the OE improvements will be backward-compatible on the earlier cars. So, just buy the part at the Toyota dealer and stick it on.

Still the same "maybe" answer. I will say though, Tada-San said that they were indeed testing a manual but it was not up-to-spec durability wise for what they wanted. Apparently there is still a manual in development somewhere, but honestly, I couldn't get any solid information. He said none of the BMW M manuals were up to spec for what he wanted.

Also, here's another interesting tidbit. Toyota and Tada-San evaluated doing the entire Supra project by themselves at the beginning of development; including building a brand new Inline-6. They projected a 10-year development cycle for the entire project, 3 years specifically for just repurposing a factory in Aichi with new tooling and whatnot just for the engine. But the project couldn't move forward, because there are regulations that go into effect in 2020+ in a number of world markets that will further restrict emissions, noise regulations, efficiency, etc. Tada-San did not want a hybrid, and still does not want a hybrid (he says battery tech isn't at the level he wants to keep a sports car light enough and cheap enough), so they continued with the BMW collaboration. The BMW Collab was projected to take 5 years, it took 7.

Basically, if Toyota tried to do it themselves, it likely wouldn't be possible to create a simple, gas-engine, fun-to-drive sports car, especially at an attainable price, before regulations put a stranglehold on them.

This also might be why they went ahead and released an auto only version in 2019. Once the model is already on sale, they can get by with the older constraints apparently. Does that mean a manual later on? Idk, nobody knows for sure.

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Guff, thank you!

This post of yours above finally ties together so many threads about why Toyota decided to go about this project the way they did. I am surprised that almost no one else has commented specifically on your post about this.

So it really does come down to upcoming tightening emissions and fuel economy regulations among other things and just how long it takes to design a car like this and its driveline from scratch.

They COULD have done all of this themselves but by the time they had done it they would not be able to sell it in most countries in the specification they wanted, including probably all their major target markets unless they wanted to spend hundreds of millions just to build a track-only racecar not eligible for DMV registration.

So all the MKV haters really need to direct their attention at increasingly stringent worldwide emissions, fuel economy and safety standards that would have made an in-house Supra one that arrived so late that it would be a *completely* automatic-only, battery hybrid only, and much heavier chassis vehicle. At least from what Tada explained to you and the group.

I knew various regulations are already starting to make certain designs and configurations increasingly harder to produce for road cars but I had no idea it was becoming that difficult so quickly.

I am glad they found a way to get the Supra made properly before they would be even further restricted.

I am also glad to hear that they have been evaluating manual transmissions from the BMW parts bin and have been developing a manual of their own. That Tada-san does not feel any of BMW's off the shelf manuals are up to his standard such that some other manual design is being pursued is very good and welcome news just as is the coming 400ps engine.

Now it makes a lot more sense than just the "no one buys manual sportscars!" argument as to why the ZF8 auto was released first.

That explains many things all at once, thank you!

Also I'll echo the other posters on asking Tada-san if he and his team considered the 3.5L V6-TT engine from the LS500 and about the 2nd gen GT86, S-FR and MR2

Guff said:

Tada-San said that all the OE improvements will be backward-compatible on the earlier cars. So, just buy the part at the Toyota dealer and stick it on.




Still the same "maybe" answer. I will say though, Tada-San said that they were indeed testing a manual but it was not up-to-spec durability wise for what they wanted. Apparently there is still a manual in development somewhere, but honestly, I couldn't get any solid information. He said none of the BMW M manuals were up to spec for what he wanted.

Also, here's another interesting tidbit. Toyota and Tada-San evaluated doing the entire Supra project by themselves at the beginning of development; including building a brand new Inline-6. They projected a 10-year development cycle for the entire project, 3 years specifically for just repurposing a factory in Aichi with new tooling and whatnot just for the engine. But the project couldn't move forward, because there are regulations that go into effect in 2020+ in a number of world markets that will further restrict emissions, noise regulations, efficiency, etc. Tada-San did not want a hybrid, and still does not want a hybrid (he says battery tech isn't at the level he wants to keep a sports car light enough and cheap enough), so they continued with the BMW collaboration. The BMW Collab was projected to take 5 years, it took 7.

Basically, if Toyota tried to do it themselves, it likely wouldn't be possible to create a simple, gas-engine, fun-to-drive sports car, especially at an attainable price, before regulations put a stranglehold on them.

This also might be why they went ahead and released an auto only version in 2019. Once the model is already on sale, they can get by with the older constraints apparently. Does that mean a manual later on? Idk, nobody knows for sure.

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Very interesting about the manual transmission bit. First time I’ve heard that. Curious to know what he specifically means by “up to his specs.” The upcoming M3 with manual transmission is 470-500 hp in base and competition spec. I wonder if Tada san is referring to the nature of the tuning aspect of this car, like being able to handle 700-1000hp+ mods?? Hmmmmm

@Guff can you ask Tada san if he plans on using at least one electric motor on the Supra?since the ZF8 has semi-hybrid capabilities