The 2020 Toyota Supra’s late July/early August arrival is approaching fast, and aftermarket companies are eager to get a jump on parts development for the Mk V. One way to do that is to be a member of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), which hosts measuring sessions for certain cars to give companies an opportunity to take measurements or 3-D scans, test-fit prototype parts, or just get an early look at the car. MotorTrend was invited to the measuring session for the 2020 Toyota Supra. Here are eight takeaways from that event.
Yes, there are a lot of BMW parts
We should get this out of the way first. If you spend any amount of time underneath the 2020 Supra or poking around under the hood, you’re bound to see a lot of BMW labels and roundel logos. That should come as no surprise, given that the car was co-developed by Toyota and BMW and shares most of its mechanicals with the Z4 convertible. Toyota stresses that neither car could exist without the technical partnership that dates back to 2012, so if you like more sports cars better than fewer, collaboration is what will make that possible going forward.
It’s a small car in person
Even though I’d seen countless photos of the Supra, I didn’t grasp how small it is until I was standing next to it. The Supra’s wheelbase is 4.0 inches shorter than that of the 86, though the Supra is longer overall by 5.8 inches. The Supra also has a wider front and rear track than both the 86 and the previous Mk IV Supra. That’s not obvious when you’re looking at it, but the width contributes to the Supra’s small, squat proportions. My initial impression upon seeing it up close was that I was looking at a light and lithe sports car, which leads us to …
There’s an obsessive focus on weight savings
The 2020 Toyota Supra weighs just under 3,400 pounds, which is relatively light as modern sports cars come. (For comparison, the Porsche 718 Cayman S is just under 3,200 pounds.) Much of its front end is made of aluminum, from structural pieces like the bumper reinforcement beam and subframe to the extruded aluminum front tow hook mount. The extensive use of aluminum helps make the Supra’s 50/50 weight distribution possible.
It all adds up
Continuing the lightweight theme, Toyota shaved precious ounces at each corner by casting little pockets into the back sides of the wheel spokes. It’s unknown whether the Z4 also has these, but the BMW-style lug bolts feature recessed heads to reduce material. You could say these savings are too small to make a difference, but keep in mind this is all unsprung weight we’re talking about here. Every little bit counts.
Brakes by Brembo, even if the calipers don’t advertise that
The 2020 Toyota Supra comes standard with 13.7-inch ventilated steel brake rotors up front, which are clamped down by large four-piston calipers. In back, there are single-piston floating calipers. Brembo is a reputable supplier of high-performance brake systems, so seeing Brembos on the Supra is no surprise. What is surprising to me is that, for some reason, the calipers were left unbranded. If I were a Supra owner, I’d want to show off my beefy stock brakes with Brembo-stamped calipers at every possible opportunity.
The Mk V is super-cool
High-performance cars need high-performance cooling, which is why the Supra (and likely the Z4) has a number of components dedicated to dissipating heat. Three heat exchangers are stacked one in front of the other, sandwiched between the engine and front bumper. Two more are located at either corner of the front bumper.
A proven transmission
The Supra uses the familiar ZF 8HP eight-speed automatic transmission, a gearbox we’ve praised in many modern BMWs. Like those cars, the eight-speed in the Supra uses a plastic transmission pan and comes sealed with a “lifetime fill” of fluid. Among other things, Toyota did its own transmission software tuning to help differentiate the Supra from its Z4 cousin.
Like a throttle in reverse
Active exhaust systems are nothing new, but we thought it was pretty cool that you could see the electronically actuated butterfly valve just inside the passenger-side muffler tip. The valve will open in Sport mode to give the boosted straight-six a throatier sound.
Keep reading to get the full story on the 2020 Supra:
- Supra Returns! The Inside Story on the 2020 Toyota Supra’s Comeback
- 2020 Toyota Supra Design: From FT-1 Concept to Production
- 2020 Toyota Supra Performance: Horsepower, Suspension, and TRD
- 2020 Toyota Supra Interior: Our First Look Inside
- Behind the Wheel: 2020 Toyota Supra vs. 2020 BMW Z4
- 2020 Toyota Supra Priced Starting at $50,920
- Toyota Supra History: Looking Back at Toyota’s Sports Car
- 2020 Toyota Supra Prototype Review: The Legendary Nameplate Returns
- Why Toyota’s Supra-Z4 Partnership With BMW Makes Sense
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