There's A 2.0-Litre Toyota Supra And It Could Replace The GT86
The canapés are barely cold after the global launch of the new Toyota Supra, but already there’s huge new news. Four-cylinder options have been confirmed as expected, but there’s more: one of them has just 3bhp more than the GT86.
Toyota in Japan has gone public with the four-pot engines that are headed for the A90 Supra. Both are turbocharged 2.0-litre units borrowed from BMW, with the more powerful of the twins coughing up 258bhp at 5000-6500rpm on top of peak torque of 295lb ft from 1550-4400rpm. That will make it good for a limited 155mph and a 0-62mph sprint in 5.2 seconds. Like the 3.0-litre car, the 2.0-litre ones will be automatic.
The second of the two turbocharged 2.0-litre engines has 200bhp, placing it right on the nose of the 197bhp GT86. Despite being about 140kg heavier, the Supra will be markedly quicker thanks to its extra torque and ZF automatic gearbox. Its 6.5-second launch to 62mph easily beats the 86’s 7.6 seconds.
As such there’s furious speculation that the base model Supra – badged Supra SZ in Japan – will kill the GT86 off. We’re not convinced, given that the GT86 starts at around £25,000 and the 3.0-litre Supra – Japan’s RZ – is way up over £50,000. Even the cheapest Supra is unlikely to fall below £35,000.
The four-cylinder Supra saves some 70kg at the nose, according to the initial reports. That could really boost the car’s handling dynamics, especially considering that BMW is claiming a 50:50 weight distribution for the, ahem, quite similar new Z4. The dynamic diamond that is the GT86 also has wonderful balance but with more chassis flex and body roll. Perhaps it’s different enough to survive alongside a 200bhp Supra… or perhaps not.
At the moment the four-banger Supras are confined to the Japanese market alone, but it’s not very likely to stay that way. Only time will tell whether the Supra and GT86 will be able to coexist.
Comments
Meh.. as long as we have the BRZ…
Or… The GT86 could inherit the 258bhp four-pot 😏🙃
Or… it’s for the people that want to swap engines in, remember the countless times we talked about how they measured the engine bay to fit swaps and how having a cheaper one would be great for tuners?
They shouldn’t replace it because it would be cooler if they had two sports cars in their line up… all we need is the Celica and the MR2 to join
So still not a worthy by in europe if you don’t care about which wheels push the car.
Doubt it, the i4 version is still significantly heavier than the GT86.
Unlikely, since as you guys noted it will still cost over a 10 grand above the GT86
Can I have a 6-cylinder GT86 instead of the Supra?
At least the front of the GT86 is not ugly
This is brilliant. The gt86 is the entry level rwd car from Toyota. Its boxer engine with useable accessible power certainly has an appeal and it giving more power would certainly ruin the appeal.
By providing a 4 cylinder Supra with 250 bhp, all those who wanted more powerful gt86 can be satisfied.
Its the best of both worlds (if priced properly)
The 200 bhp Supra is pure shit tho
Ad long as Subaru keeps the BRZ then I am okay with this