But will there be enough buyers for a manual driven Supra?
For the past three years there have been requests from car buyers in many different countries for Toyota Motor Corporation to release a Supra with a ‘manual’ gearbox. So, why did Toyota management decide to omit a manual version Supra from launch?
Well, Toyota’s chief engineer Tetsuya Tada said the Supra with a manual gearbox would “feel worse” due to the engine’s high torque. This is because the the inline-six 3.0 Turbocharged engine from BMW pushes out 500 Newton-meters of torque. (Yes, in case you did not know this, this latest Supra is a joint venture sports car with BMW and carries a Z4 drivetrain).
This is why the latest version of the Supra is manufactured by Magna Steyr in Austria and this Japanese sports car is available with two BMW-sourced power-plants.
Even when the current Supra was launched in Malaysia, there were a number of requests from the attending media for a manual version (fact, no media person will even buy a manual version but will ask for one) when it is well known fact that when it is provided in the showroom, there will be very little buyer interest as generally most sports car and also supercar buyers want an automatic and that is why Ferrari, Lamborghini and even McLaren sell their cars with an automatic gearbox.
When Mazda started selling the current MX-5, it was the automatic that sold the most and only a fraction of manual versions was taken up.
So, we are all ready for this award winning Toyota sports car to get a manual gearbox, but will it end being a fast selling model at the showroom? Here is what you are getting for RM570,000, a 3-litre turbocharged in-line 6-cylinder engine producing 340 PS of power and peak torque of 500 Nm, a rear wheel drive layout, a sport-tuned 8-speed automatic transmission, 0-100km/h in just 4.3 seconds, perfect proven 50:50 weight distribution, Adaptive Variable Suspension and Electronically Controlled Limited Slip Differential (LSD), light 19-inch forged alloy rims, a Heads-Up Display, electrically-adjustable sports seats with power lumbar support; electrochromatic rearview mirror; and a 12-speaker JBL audio system. Quite a bit of equipment for a sports car.
That means you get performance without sacrificing luxury and amenities.
So, for the moment it has confirmed that a 6-speed manual version of the latest Supra will be produced and sales will start in North America and Europe this year.
