Following the market launch of the new A90 Toyota GR Supra in the United States, the reborn sports car has now been introduced in Japan after a 17-year hiatus since production of the fourth-generation A80 ended in 2002. The Supra is also set to be introduced in Malaysia later this year.
For the Japanese market, the Supra will be offered in three grades – SZ, SZ-R and RZ – priced from 4.9 million (RM186,420), 5.9 million (RM224,465) and 6.9 million (RM262,498) yen respectively. All three grades feature an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive as standard, but unlike the US-spec cars, there are two engine options.
The range-topping RZ comes with a BMW-sourced B58 3.0 litre turbocharged straight-six engine, which serves up 340 PS at 5,000 rpm and 500 Nm of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm.
Meanwhile, the SZ-R carries a smaller-displacement B48 2.0 litre turbo four-cylinder with 258 PS at 5,000 rpm and 400 Nm from 1,550 to 4,400 rpm. The base SZ also comes with the inline-four, albeit with just 197 PS at 4,500 rpm and 320 Nm from 1,450 to 4,200 rpm.
Unsurprisingly, the RZ is the quickest in the zero to 100 km/h sprint, taking just 4.3 seconds to do so. As for the four-cylinder versions, the SZ-R requires 5.2 seconds to complete the feat, and it’s 6.5 seconds for the SZ.
Another thing to note is only the RZ and SZ-R grades come with adaptive suspension and a rear active differential – these items are absent for the SZ. A Sport mode is available for all Supra grades, which increases the responsiveness and characteristics of the car for a more dynamic driving experience.
In terms of exterior equipment, the RZ is identified by its 19-inch wheels with 255/35 front and 275/35 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, as well as exhaust tips measuring 100 mm in diameter. The variant also gets a red-themed Brembo brake system where the front features 348 mm discs and four-piston calipers, while the rear sees 345 mm discs and single-piston calipers.
Further down the pecking order, the SZ-R is fitted with smaller 18-inch wheels instead, also with Michelin tyres (255/40 front and 275/40 rear). The SZ gets even smaller 17-inch items with run-flat tyres (225/50 front and 255/45 rear). Both also come with 330 mm brake discs, coupled to two-piston front and single-piston rear calipers, along with 90-mm diameter exhaust tips.
Moving inside, RZ and SZ-R cars come with eight-way powered seats, while the SZ only has manual seats. Upholstery used for the RZ is a mix of Alcantara and red leather, but the latter is available in black for as a cost option. The SZ-R gets the Alcantara/black leather pairing instead, with black fabric reserved for the SZ.
In other areas, the SZ only gets dark silver trim, with carbon-fibre trim being found in the remaining two grades – the RZ benefits from sports pedals as well. A dual-zone climate control system is standard on all three variants, as is the Toyota Supra Connect infotainment system.
The latter consists of an 8.8-inch touchscreen and a 12-speaker JBL sound system (RZ and SZ-R) or four-speaker setup, with a variety of functions like telematics and Apple CarPlay support. There’s also a head-up display but only for the RZ and SZ-R – a digital instrument cluster display is standard for all three variants.
Safety kit is rather comprehensive across the range too, as all grades come with the Toyota Supra Safety suite, which includes autonomous emergency braking, lane departure alert, blind spot monitor, adaptive cruise control and rear-cross traffic alert.
Customers will also have access to a range of accessories, like a luggage soft tray, a portable toilet, ergonomic seat cushions, seat belt soft pads, car covers, a rescue hammer and even a child seat.
However, the most interesting stuff are the GR Parts, including the Toyota Gazoo Racing Recorder, which allows drivers to log their driving data to an SD card. This can be supplemented by an optional dashcam, which synchronises the video with the recorded information.
There’s also a TRD body kit (pictured here) available that consists of a front spoiler, side skirts, side door garnishes and a boot spoiler. Cough up even more yen and you can also get yourself a set of 19-inch forged aluminium wheels in a multi-spoke design, or carbon-fibre side mirrors caps, or even have “Toyota Supra” projected from the puddle lamps.
Last but not least, let’s talk colours. In Japan, the Supra is available in White Metallic, Ice Grey Metallic, Prominence Red, Deep Blue Metallic, Silver Metallic, Black Metallic, Lighting Yellow and Matte Storm Grey Metallic.
Interestingly, there’s a catch with the final grey option, with Toyota explaining that only 24 examples finished in said colour will be scheduled for production this fiscal year. As a result, customers who want their Supra in Matte Storm Grey Metallic will have to submit their request before June 14 this year. If their lucky enough to win this “colour lottery,” they’ll get to buy their car in the “rare colour.”
