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2020 Toyota Supra: Test Drive
  
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Parallax1

There are many reasons you might want to skip red for your Toyota Supra Launch Edition. The minor one: the red mirrors don't contrast with the body.

Toyota Supra V: Revenge of the Germans

Lets get the awkward stuff out of the way, first: No manual transmission. Made by Germans. Not as fast as the Corvette.

Now that we've rid ourselves of the baggage, this is a wonderful sports car. As for the real rivalry, the Supra is a full second faster to 60 MPH than the Nissan 370Z... with a manual. Eight tenths of a second faster than a 370Z with the 7-speed automatic option.

How about a comparison to the Mark IV Supra Turbo? Both are turbocharged straight six beasts, but with time the new overshadows the old: the 1998 Supra Turbo needs a full extra second to reach 60 MPH or cover the quarter-mile. Handling differences are even more lopsided.

But that ignores the reality; this is a comfortable, beautiful grand touring two-seater that will hardly be revved in anger. The sound from its exhaust is wonderful (with a little help from the stereo system), just watch our video to see for yourself. And everything about this German-born Japanese sports car has been improved over the original or its German counterpart. Its interior is luxurious and simple. The sheet-metal is curvy and inspiring. The sound of its straight-six pleasing.

2020 Toyota Supra Steering wheel view KC Supra Test

Lets talk about ergonomics. The BMW Z4, upon which the Supra is based, has a Driving Dynamics Control. This system has four separate button for "Sport," "Comfort," "Eco Pro," and "Adaptive" settings. Pressing the buttons repeatedly can also invoke "Sport Individual," "Sport Plus," "Eco Pro Individual." Or you could use iDrive: simply select "Car" then "Settings" then "Driving Mode" then select the mode you prefer. The Supra has a button marked "Sport." Press it and the shocks get stiffer, the steering gets sharper, the engine gets growlier and the accelerator pedal gets touchier. Press it again and it goes back to kitty cat mode. Simple. Easy. Nobody needs or uses umpteen modes with modifications possible on each one. The exact settings for the "Sport" mode can be adjusted using the computer.

Open the infotainment system and you can tell its BMW, but Toyota engineers have simplified it and made it so you won't run over a family of ducks trying to change a radio station.

2020 Toyota Supra

On the road the Supra is mannered, unless you don't want it to be. With or without the "Sport" mode, you're in control, but the rear end can step out and the car lunge at the tip of the throttle and a twist of the wheel. Acceleration is brisk: Zero to 60 MPH in 3.8 or 3.9 seconds (depending on whom you ask), the quarter mile goes by in the mid-twelves. Cornering is over 1 G.

Did we say this car is gorgeous?

2020 Toyota GR Supra Launch Edition head on KC Test Drive

Music credit goes to our friend in New Orleans, Delfeayo Marsalis. Download the entire album here: https://tinyurl.com/delfSweetThunder

 
 

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