The Toyota Supra is on its way back, and a racing concept unveiled at the Geneva motor show gives strong hints to the look of the new sports car.
There has not been a Supra in the Toyota range for 16 years, and the new one has come about as the result of a joint project with BMW that will also create the next BMW Z4. However, we understand the two will be very different cars.
“Yes, the Supra is returning,” said Toyota Motor Europe president and CEO Dr Johan Van Zyl, unveiling the car at the Geneva event. “This concept is a clear signal of our intention to bring back one of our most legendary sports cars to the market.
“This baby, developed by Toyota Gazoo Racing, is a thoroughbred designed for the race track, the best way of taking our ‘Supra Hero’ into a new era. It has been made light, compact and, of course, fast. I think you will agree it looks amazing.”
Toyota not giving too much away just yet
Toyota is not giving many clues as to just how close to the production Supra the racing concept is, merely stating that it demonstrates the brand’s “commitment to bringing the Supra back to the market,” and “shows the future potential for a car that can deliver high performance both on road and track.”
Just what level that performance might reach is currently being kept under wraps too, with no technical details released to accompany the concept. Industry rumours suggest that the road car will produce around 340hp from its engine and, of course, offer a sub-four-second 0-62mph time.
Visually the concept is clearly in the traditional Supra mould – a muscular-looking, front-engined, rear-wheel-drive two-seater sports car.
Unsurprisingly, the racing concept makes extensive use of lightweight composite materials in such areas as the wide front and rear bumpers, front splitter and rear diffuser, side skirts, door mirror housings, the bonnet and the rear wing. Even the window are lightweight lexan, rather than glass.
The new Supra road car is expected to break cover in 2019.
