The wait is formally over and GR Supras with handbook transmissions are arriving at Toyota sellers throughout the nation. That is the primary time in additional than 20 years that the Supra has been obtainable with three pedals and a handbook gear shifter. After a full day with it each on and off the race monitor, we are able to guarantee you that it’s definitely worth the wait.
Toyota’s Vice President of Automobile Advertising and Communications, Mike Tripp, says that the model has been engaged on a handbook Supra since 2019 after followers made it clear that they needed to swap cogs on their very own. Right now, that’s doable once more with the Toyota GR Supra MT.
Learn Extra: We’re Driving The Handbook 2023 Toyota Supra, What Do You Need To Know?
Fast Info › › ›
› Mannequin: 2023 Toyota GR Supra MT 3.0
› MSRP: $53,595
› 0-60 MPH: 4.2-Seconds
› Powertrain: 3.0-L Turbo Six-Cylinder l 6-Velocity Handbook l RWD
› Output: 382 Hp (284 kW) / 367 Lb-Ft (497 Nm)
› EPA: 23 MPG Metropolis / 31 MPG Freeway (est)
› On Sale: Now
Final week, we went out to the Utah Motorsports Campus to check out the brand new GR Supra Handbook together with the brand new GR Corolla. You’ll should accept what the GR Corolla seems like on monitor for one more week however immediately we are able to let you know every part you wish to know in regards to the Supra MT. Toyota didn’t simply pull a gearbox out of the components bin right here. It tailor-made this transmission to swimsuit the Supra and that’s simply felt from behind the wheel.
Not Simply One other BMW Half
It’s straightforward to think about a transmission swap as little greater than a change of bodily elements. For higher or for worse, in immediately’s age of extremely computerized vehicles, it’s not that straightforward although. To that finish, Toyota leaned on its Gazoo Racing engineers, Toyota Motor Europe, and the transmission gurus over at ZF to create the gearbox.
It’s not an off-the-shelf unit that comes from a particular BMW mannequin both. Lots of the major elements are from BMW just like the housing and the gearset however Toyota additionally sourced just a few elements which might be bespoke to the Supra itself. That features an all-new shift lever, a brand new large-diameter clutch, and a strengthened diaphragm spring constructed to deal with the high-torque (367 lb-ft / 497 Nm) output of the Supra.
Toyota additionally says that the burden and form of the gear knob itself, in addition to the shift engagement, have all been fine-tuned. It additionally shortened the ultimate drive gear ratio from 3.15 within the computerized to three.46 within the handbook.
Maintaining The Software program Nannies Away
Past the bodily elements, Toyota needed to retune its software program to accommodate the brand new transmission. That included adapting the traction management system to the handbook transmission and tuning for the human ingredient now controlling gear choice. Toyota didn’t need the system to stamp out enjoyable both so it added a characteristic known as Hairpin+.
When the automotive senses that it’s going uphill (any gradient of 5 p.c or extra) on a high-friction floor it’s going to permit a higher distinction in wheel spin between the left and proper wheels. That ought to make for some smoky hill climb antics. Each the handbook and the automated Supra additionally get an up to date Anti-Roll Program that, in live performance with the automotive’s Automobile Stability Management, ought to assist scale back snap-oversteer.
iMT Goals To Preserve You From Stalling
Clever Handbook Transmission is a program integrated into the brand new gearbox aimed toward making the entire expertise higher. Briefly, the software program takes into consideration gear lever place, clutch place, and different elements to easy out shifts. It might enhance or lower engine output briefly to perform that objective.
For instance, ought to a driver not present sufficient accelerator pedal enter from a cease, the iMT software program can add torque to assist preserve the automotive from dying. As well as, it’s the identical software program liable for producing the rev-match characteristic when downshifting. Thoughts you, the iMT programming may be utterly disabled too.
Pricing And Trims
The bottom Supra 2.0 with its four-cylinder engine and computerized transmission begins at $44,635. The six-cylinder 3.0 base Supra with its 382 hp (284 kW) has an MSRP of $53,595. Consumers can select the handbook or computerized transmission for that worth. The Premium trim begins at $56,745 and the all-new A91-MT trim prices $59,440. For an in-depth breakdown of every trim together with coloration combos and choices see our article right here.
Rowing Our Personal Gears In The Supra Handbook
Our time in Utah with the Supra was spent within the 3.0 Premium trim on each a race monitor and on roads surrounding the power. After our day with it, we expect most patrons will come away extremely happy.
The clutch pedal itself matches within the Goldilocks zone of not being too agency or too gentle. The gear throw is brief and simple to put. The clutch disc chunk level sits simply above the midpoint in relation to pedal journey which made for easy begins together with when dumping the clutch. Drop the hammer excellent and Toyota says that the Supra will go from 0-60 mph in simply 4.2 seconds. Whereas we couldn’t affirm that on this setting, we really feel assured that it’s doable. There is no such thing as a form of launch management program apart from analog inputs from the motive force within the Supra MT.
Past the tactile sensations of swapping cogs within the Supra an important issue is how snug it feels immediately. Because the laps accrued I discovered myself considering much less and fewer in regards to the trivialities of how the synchros had been working or how the iMT rev match system was participating and extra about the correct line and pushing the boundaries of traction. With all the security and comfort programs switched off the brand new Supra MT feels uncooked, highly effective, and downright enjoyable.
On the road, the gearbox is easy, straightforward to make use of, and ergonomically pleasant too. There’s greater than sufficient of a spot between it and the management panel as properly. The cupholders, positioned far behind the gear shift, are even set just a little in the direction of the passenger to depart house on your elbow. It’s a really well-rounded design that blends sporty efficiency and engagement with on a regular basis drivability.
We truly drove an computerized Supra again to again with the handbook and so they really feel like significantly completely different automobiles in observe. The automated continues to be as athletic and, in some conditions, it’s faster, however the handbook was much more enjoyable. The automated appears like a cruiser whereas the handbook appears to encourage extra rowdy habits.
Refinement Over Its Friends
There’s no query that when it lastly hits sellers that the Nissan Z goes to steal some gross sales from the Supra. It has extra energy (400 hp / 298 kW) than the Supra and begins at only a shade over $40,000. Nevertheless, irrespective of how a lot one spends on the Z, it stays to be seen if they will get the identical refinement as within the Supra.
The truth is, it’s that refinement that largely units the Supra other than different sports activities automobiles and GTs obtainable across the $50,000 worth level. Vehicles just like the Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang, and Chevrolet Camaro all provide related bumps in energy and efficiency over the Supra at that worth however none really feel as excessive forehead. Including a handbook transmission to the Supra is simply another reason for fans searching for that luxurious sports activities coupe expertise to show to Toyota.
Dropping The Clutch
The brand new Supra Handbook is a good instance of fixing a difficulty and never mucking up one thing else within the course of. The automated transmission within the Supra was advantageous and the automotive was already a blast to drive. Now, it’s nonetheless a blast to drive however it’s significantly extra participating and satisfying.
Toyota has dropped the clutch on the remainder of its friends and dashing away by providing one thing that isn’t extensively obtainable elsewhere. The brand new Supra MT is a balanced, extremely refined, and highly-engaging sports activities automotive that matches as properly on a race monitor because it does on the road.