Supra vs Z4M

Did Toyota draw inspiration from the Z4M?


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kona61

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I mean it does have a similar shape, but so does the 2000GT, F-Type, E-Type, AMG GT, 812 Superfast, 240Z etc.

The rear hatch on the Z4 is set much further back than the Supra's and the beltline dips in the middle rather than a smooth rise.
 

Camus

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Hi,

Many of you have been following the new Supra since the FT-1 prototype back in 2014. Then we got to know the production version and while it changed quite a bit from the prototype, there are some familiar vibes that we can recognize, for instance, how similar it looks to the old Z4MC:

attachment.jpg


attachment.jpg


AzVfv.jpg


It's interesting since the "other" version of the current Supra is the new Z4, so really the Supra could be the Z4M Coupe from this era and given the BMW guts it's really the case.

Another thing is how different the Z4M was, the last true sports car, before the turbos, before the nannies, etc. A naturally aspirated high revving 3.2 S54 engine, inherited from the E46 M3, with curiously also 330 hp, with manual transmission, stiff suspension and hydraulic steering.



Now we got the Supra, a dying breed, everyone is buying SUVs, maybe sporty SUVs but no RWD two seaters. Maybe in 15 years will be appreciating the Supra the same way we do with the Z4MC.

As personal story, almost a year a go I was happy with the Mustang GT and a friend got to lease the BMW i8 Roadster:

392523534336_o.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_sid=1480c5&_nc_ohc=K5IGFrxhhvQAX8A2lum&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.jpg


He let me drive the car, and while I was not impressed by the power, the handling and the open top was really a joy. After that I started looking for options and got the Supra at the end. Compared to the Mustang GT, the Supra feels light and precise, not like a boat like the GT, also the low end power is intoxicating. Don't get me wrong, the GT is a very good sports car, the pure sound of the Coyote engine is very pleasant, but what I really wanted was something more nimble, light and controllable.

However, I still wanted a convertible... so went to look around and my choices were:
  • S2000 - Very good formula except the power, no torque.
  • C6 Corvette Convertible - Insane torque, good power, fun but... also felt like a boat, heavy and the steering was kind of numb, it was very disappointing in the handling.
  • Porsche Boxster - Went to drive the base Boxster, not the S, and the lack of power didn't got me, the handling was superb though, but the long term maintenance (bearing issues) and the looks, I dont' know.
  • BMW Z4M Roadster - What a car, the steering is precise, hard. The wheel itself is thick and feels very good to grab. While is not S2000 light, it feels light and the power, not much low end torque but after 4500 rpm the power builds up like nothing else. I was in love with this car, so despite my wife's anger, I got it:
mzJyB6H.jpg


I am very fortunate to be able to have these two, I think they complement each other in every aspect:

Top - No Top
Low end torque - High revving engine
Turbo - Naturally Aspirated
Auto - Manual
Quiet - Raw

Anyway, thank you for the long read.
 
Last edited:

kurumi

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I lusted so hard over a Z4M. Everyone seems to forget the e85/86 Z4M. I'm glad I get to own a spiritual successor to it.
 

R0ME0

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Hi,

Many of you have been following the new Supra since the FT-1 prototype back in 2014. Then we got to know the production version and while it changed quite a bit from the prototype, there are some familiar vibes that we can recognize, for instance, how similar it looks to the old Z4MC:

attachment.jpg


attachment.jpg


AzVfv.jpg


It's interesting since the "other" version of the current Supra is the new Z4, so really the Supra could be the Z4M Coupe from this era and given the BMW guts it's really the case.

Another thing is how different the Z4M was, the last true sports car, before the turbos, before the nannies, etc. A naturally aspirated high revving 3.2 S54 engine, inherited from the E46 M3, with curiously also 330 hp, with manual transmission, stiff suspension and hydraulic steering.



Now we got the Supra, a dying breed, everyone is buying SUVs, maybe sporty SUVs but no RWD two seaters. Maybe in 15 years will be appreciating the Supra the same way we do with the Z4MC.

As personal story, almost a year a go I was happy with the Mustang GT and a friend got to lease the BMW i8 Roadster:

392523534336_o.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_sid=1480c5&_nc_ohc=K5IGFrxhhvQAX8A2lum&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.jpg


He let me drive the car, and while I was not impressed by the power, the handling and the open top was really a joy. After that I started looking for options and got the Supra at the end. Compared to the Mustang GT, the Supra feels light and precise, not like a boat like the GT, also the low end power is intoxicating. Don't get me wrong, the GT is a very good sports car, the pure sound of the Coyote engine is very pleasant, but what I really wanted was something more nimble, light and controllable.

However, I still wanted a convertible... so went to look around and my choices were:
  • S2000 - Very good formula except the power, no torque.
  • C6 Corvette Convertible - Insane torque, good power, fun but... also felt like a boat, heavy and the steering was kind of numb, it was very disappointing in the handling.
  • Porsche Boxster - Went to drive the base Boxster, not the S, and the lack of power didn't got me, the handling was superb though, but the long term maintenance (bearing issues) and the looks, I dont' know.
  • BMW Z4M Roadster - What a car, the steering is precise, hard. The wheel itself is thick and feels very good to grab. While is not S2000 light, it feels light and the power, not much low end torque but after 4500 rpm the power builds up like nothing else. I was in love with this car, so despite my wife's anger, I got it:
mzJyB6H.jpg


I am very fortunate to be able to have these two, I think they complement each other in every aspect:

Top - No Top
Low end torque - High revving engine
Turbo - Naturally Aspirated
Auto - Manual
Quiet - Raw

Anyway, thank you for the long read.
I truly love the z4m and it will always hold a special place as one of the best BMWs to come out of the m division to date. That’s what partly made me fall in love with the a90 that much more and being that a Toyota was my first car. Really it’s the ultimate mashup. My old z4m is actually the first 2 photos you posted :D
 

Camus

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I truly love the z4m and it will always hold a special place as one of the best BMWs to come out of the m division to date. That’s what partly made me fall in love with the a90 that much more and being that a Toyota was my first car. Really it’s the ultimate mashup. My old z4m is actually the first 2 photos you posted :D
Wow really, the nice white with spoiler? I found it in the Bimmer Forums, the best example I could find actually, and that spoiler looks like the duck one in the Supra. Do you still have it?
 

pav911

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Unfortunately I can't drive manuals anymore or a Z4M coupe or roadster would definitely be in the garage. I've had a few of the 6-cyl (35i and 35iS) E89 models. I very much see the Supra as a different take on the Z4 coupe, which is why I've just ordered one.
 

Hakkim23

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Yeah many people actually talked about how the new Supra is similar to the old Z4 coupe and also has styling cues from the 2000GT
Interesting not necessarily a bad thing tho! It makes this car more unique!
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