In the history of automobiles, not many cars have echoed through the ages the way the Toyota Supra has. While it is unlikely the car will come to India, in this article we look at what the latest Supra is and its expected price in India, if Toyota decides to bring their popular sports car to the country. But before we move ahead, let’s take a quick look at the history of this legendary Japanese sports car.
Table of Contents
- History of the Toyota Supra
- Toyota Supra Car Expected Price
- Toyota Supra Key Specifications
- How to Buy a Toyota Supra in India
- Alternate Cars to Consider Instead of a Toyota Supra
- Summary
- FAQs
History of the Toyota Supra
The Toyota Supra launched in 1979, a time when the entire auto industry struggled with the oil crisis, and walked a fine line between performance and economy. When the crisis ended, Toyota showed its true intentions for the Supra and in the following years, established it as a revolutionary sports car. It became a strong challenger to the more expensive sports cars at the time, such as the Ferrari 355 and Lamborghini Diablo, and even beat a slew of famous sports cars including the Porsche 911 and McLaren F1 in the prestigious Japan Grand Touring Car championship. Featuring in video games such as Need For Speed and Gran Turismo series, and a slew of movies including Fast and the Furious, the Supra became a hero roadster and a poster car for teenagers.
Also Read: Best Sports Cars in India
Sadly, Toyota decided to end its production in 2002, citing unsatisfactory sales, ending the momentum of its growing popularity. The fourth-generation Supra, (aka Supra Mk4) has become a highly coveted and expensive car in the used car market, thanks to its immense tuning potential. It could be tuned to produce up to 800 HP, matching the power of the Formula 1 race cars. In 2020, Toyota resurrected the Supra, partnering with BMW and bringing joy to driving enthusiasts.
Toyota Supra Car Expected Price
The Toyota Supra is engineered by Toyota’s illustrious racing division – Gazoo Racing, and hence it’s officially named Toyota GR Supra. Moreover, Toyota is unlikely to launch the GR Supra in India, but if they do, the car would be priced around Rs. 85 to 95 lakh. With these prices, it will rival the BMW Z4, and as Toyota claims, the Porsche 718 which is considerably more expensive as compared to the Supra.
Toyota Supra Key Specifications
While it is only privy to Toyota as to what they plan to sell in India, we can look at what are the key specifications of the GR Supra which is sold overseas.
Toyota GR Supra Variants | |||
2 | 3 | 3.0 Premium | |
Engine | 2.0L twin-scroll single-turbo 4-cylinder petrol engine | 3.0L twin-scroll single-turbo DOHC 24-valve inline 6-cylinder petrol engine | 3.0L twin-scroll single-turbo DOHC 24-valve inline 6-cylinder petrol engine |
Power | 255 HP | 382 HP | 382 HP |
Torque | 399 Nm | 499 Nm | 499 Nm |
Transmission | 8-speed Automatic Transmission with paddle shifters | 6-speed intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) or 8-speed Automatic Transmission with paddle shifters | 6-speed intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) or 8-speed Automatic Transmission with paddle shifters |
Top Speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/hr | 250 km/hr | 250 km/hr |
Key performance equipment | · Active exhaust · Launch Control High-performance Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres | ||
Comfort & convenience features | 8-way manual sport seats with 4-way lumbar and 2-way bolster adjustment | 14-way power-adjustable sport seats with driver’s-seat memory function, including 4-way lumbar and 2-way bolster adjustment | 14-way heated power-adjustable sport seats with driver’s-seat memory function, including 4-way lumbar and 2-way bolster adjustment |
4-speaker sound system | 10-speaker sound system (205W) | 12-speaker JBL Surround Sound system (500W) | |
Electronic Parking Brake | Electronic Parking Brake | Electronic Parking Brake | |
Also Read: Automotive Legends: Ford Mustang
How to Buy a Toyota Supra in India
As of now, you cannot buy a Toyota GR Supra in India from any Toyota dealership, and if you want to import it, the customs duty is sure to give you second thoughts. In India, the import duty on a car priced over 40,000 USD is 100 percent and the Toyota GR Supra is priced over 57,000 USD. With this, you need to follow a tiring legitimate procedure that includes submitting import and export applications to the home country and the country from where you have bought the car, and selecting the correct shipping medium. To avoid all this trouble and shelling out the customs duty, it will be wise to opt for a car which is as capable as the Toyota Supra and available in India.
Alternate Cars to Consider Instead of a Toyota Supra
The best alternative to the Toyota GR Supra is the BMW Z4 which costs Rs. 90.90 lakh (ex-showroom). Since the Supra is co-developed by Toyota and BMW, the Supra shares all its mechanicals with the Z4. The similarities are not limited to the mechanicals and to a great degree, they carry onto the interior design – seats, gear-lever, steering, and almost all other interiors. Nevertheless, the BMW Z4 feels richer on the inside, mainly due to the quality of the materials used.
Summary
The iconic Toyota Supra inherits an illustrious legacy, which makes it stand apart from many modern roadsters. If and when it gets launched in India, it would be a treasure for Indian driving enthusiasts. While the BMW Z4 and GR Supra are nearly identical in terms of overall offering, there is a slight difference in their performances which can only be felt by driving them. All the same, if you are looking to own a Supra today, the BMW Z4 is the best alternative for Rs 90.90 lakh (ex-showroom).
FAQs
How many seats does the Toyota Supra have?
The Toyota GR Supra is a two-seater roadster.
What is the price of the Toyota Supra in India?
If and when launched in India, the Toyota Supra is expected to be priced at Rs. 85 – 95 lakh.
How powerful is the Toyota Supra?
While the smaller 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine of the Supra produces 255 HP, its larger 3.0L turbocharged inline 6-cylinder petrol engine produces 382 HP.
What safety features does the Toyota Supra have?
The safety features of the Toyota Supra include 3-point seatbelts for both seating positions, driver and front passenger advanced airbag System ( front, side, curtain and knee airbags), electric parking brake, pre-collision System with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, a rearview camera with parking aid lines, vehicle stability control, traction control (TRAC), anti-lock brake system (ABS), brake assist, child restraint system on the passenger side, and tyre pressure monitor system.
