5 Iconic Modernday Heroes and their History - Toyota Supra
Toyota introduced the Celica Supra in 1979. Its styling was based upon the popular Celica liftback design, but it was both longer and wider. It was the engine, though, that made the Supra stand apart from the Celica. The Supra's 2.6-liter inline-6 engine was the first Toyota production engine to be equipped with electronic fuel injection. The Supra was available with both a manual and automatic transmission, and came standard with 4-wheel-independent suspension and 4x4 disc brakes.
Except for the addition of luxury items such as optional leather-trimmed seating and automatic climate-control, the Supra remained unchanged until 1981. In that year, Supra was given a 2.8-liter single overhead cam engine, a revised 4-speed automatic transmission and final drive gearing, and was optionally available with a new Sport Suspension package.
1982 saw a complete redesign of the Supra, along with the entire Celica line-up. Now available as two distinct models, L-type and Performance, Supra also received another engine upgrade. The new 5M-GE engine still displaced 2.8 liters, but now sported Double Overhead Cams (DOHC). Both the L-type and Performance package vehicles were mechanically identical, with differences limited to fender flares, wider wheels and tires, and a sport interior on the Performance package.
Slight changes on the 1984 models were limited to minor engine modifications on the manual transmission-equipped vehicles (higher compression ratio and larger diameter intake). The next major change was 1986 1/2 when the Supra was finally given its own identity. No longer part of the Celica range, the 1986 1/2 Supra was equipped with a 3.0 liter DOHC engine and retained the four-wheel disc brakes and all-independent suspension of its predecessors.
In 1987, Toyota added a turbocharged model to the line, making it the first Toyota model in the United States to be available with both a turbocharged engine and anti-lock brakes. The 1987 Supras were available with an optional targa-type Sport Roof for open-air driving.
The turbocharged variant could achieve 0–60 mph in as low as 4.6 seconds and 1/4-mile (402 m) in 13.1 seconds at 109 mph (175 km/h). The turbo version was tested to reach over 285 km/h (177 mph), but the cars are restricted to just 180 km/h (112 mph) in Japan and 250 km/h (155 mph) elsewhere. European versions of the car also had an air intake or scoop on the hood. Drag coefficient is 0.31 for the naturally aspirated models and 0.32 for the turbo models but unknown with the rear spoiler.
With the exception of minor styling updates, the next major change occurred in 1993, when the Supra entered the realm of "supercars." Available in both Turbo and non-Turbo guises, the new Supra was a radical departure from Supras of old. Performance was now the name of the game, and many weight saving measures were employed -- Toyota went so far as to equip the vehicle with hollow carpet fibers and make the rear spoiler (optional on Turbo models) hollow. The Turbo model was hailed by many major magazines as a true worldbeater. With 320-horsepower, this was the highest level of performance, and the strongest commitment to performance, Toyota had ever placed in one vehicle.
With a major redesign in mid-1993, Supra carried on to 1994 unchanged. The next time Supra would see any change was for the 1996 model year. Due to ever-tightening emission regulations, the six-speed manual transmission in the Turbo model was dropped from the lineup. Still available in the Turbo was the four-speed electronically controlled automatic. This transmission incorporated a manual shift mode allowing the driver to select gears, but also providing a fully-automatic mode. Minor updates were also made to the interior and option list.
1997 saw the return of the six-speed manual transmission to the Supra line, and the revision and addition of minor trim items. Head- and tail-lights received a new graphite surround (rather than the previous chrome), and all Turbo models sported "Turbo" badging. All 1997 Supras were fast cars sold as Limited Edition 15th Anniversary models. All Supras also received additional frame strengthening and sound-deadening material. Due to the decline in the high-performance vehicle segment, Supra ceased production for the 1999 model year.
Motor Trend has reported a possible Supra successor could be based on the Toyota FT-HS (Future Toyota-Hybrid Sport), which debuted at the 2007 North American International sport cars Auto Show. A Supra successor could be powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 hybrid system generating over 400 hp. Toyota says it is not rushing the Supra successor but instead is waiting to see how the sales and interests of its GT86/FR-S goes.
In 2010, Toyota applied for a trademark to the Supra name. The trademark must be used within three years for it to be valid. In December 2011, Autoguide reported a possible Supra replacement that would sit above the Toyota 86.Tetsuya Tada, the chief engineer of the Toyota 86/Scion FR-S told reporters in Germany "the president (Akio Toyoda) has asked me to make a successor to the Supra as soon as possible."
In late 2013, AutoBlog reported a Supra successor concept was coming to the January 2014 North American International Auto Show. On 13 January, Toyota unveiled its new FT-1 concept car. Little is known about this new concept car; other than that it has a front engine and rear wheel drive layout. Toyota did also state their new concept car draws inspiration from Toyota's past sports cars like the 2000GT, Supra, MR-2, and 2007 FT-HS concept car. Toyota did not state whether the FT-1 would use the Supra name, or if it was even bound for production. However, Toyota did say if the FT-1 is approved from production to expect a price tag of around US$60,000.
On 10 February 2014, Toyota submitted an application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office to renew the Supra trademark.
In June 2016, a trademark application for the Supra nameplate was filed with the European Union Intellectual Property Office. According to Autocar, the new Supra is set to debut in 2018. The car will likely feature an all-wheel-drive hybrid system; four-cylinder engines are expected to be available, with a high-performance version to use a twin-turbo V6 codenamed 943F. Kleine Zeitung reported that the new jointly-developed Supra will be produced at a Magna Steyr facility near Graz, Austria, along with the BMW Z4's successor. Although the sports car's name is yet to be officially confirmed, Toyota global chief engineer Tetsuya Tada said that it will likely carry the nameplate Supra, due to its name recognition and historical significance.
Except for the addition of luxury items such as optional leather-trimmed seating and automatic climate-control, the Supra remained unchanged until 1981. In that year, Supra was given a 2.8-liter single overhead cam engine, a revised 4-speed automatic transmission and final drive gearing, and was optionally available with a new Sport Suspension package.
1982 saw a complete redesign of the Supra, along with the entire Celica line-up. Now available as two distinct models, L-type and Performance, Supra also received another engine upgrade. The new 5M-GE engine still displaced 2.8 liters, but now sported Double Overhead Cams (DOHC). Both the L-type and Performance package vehicles were mechanically identical, with differences limited to fender flares, wider wheels and tires, and a sport interior on the Performance package.
Slight changes on the 1984 models were limited to minor engine modifications on the manual transmission-equipped vehicles (higher compression ratio and larger diameter intake). The next major change was 1986 1/2 when the Supra was finally given its own identity. No longer part of the Celica range, the 1986 1/2 Supra was equipped with a 3.0 liter DOHC engine and retained the four-wheel disc brakes and all-independent suspension of its predecessors.
In 1987, Toyota added a turbocharged model to the line, making it the first Toyota model in the United States to be available with both a turbocharged engine and anti-lock brakes. The 1987 Supras were available with an optional targa-type Sport Roof for open-air driving.
The Mk4 / A80 (1993–2002)
The A80 program began in February 1989 under various teams for design, product planning, and engineering. By the middle of 1990, a final A80 design concept from Toyota Technical Centre Aichi was approved and frozen for production in late 1990. The first awesome cars test mules were hand-built in A70 bodies during late 1990, followed by the first A80 prototypes being hand-assembled in 1991. Again using subframe, suspension, and drivetrain assemblies from the Z30 Soarer (Lexus SC300/400), test model pre-production started in December 1992 with 20 models, and official mass production began in April 1993.This redesign saw Toyota placing great emphasis on a more serious high-performance car. The new Supra was completely redesigned, with rounded body styling and featured two new engines: a naturally aspirated Toyota 2JZ-GE producing 220 hp (164 kW; 223 PS) at 5800 rpm and 210 lb·ft (280 N·m) at 4800 rpm of torque and a twin turbocharged Toyota 2JZ-GTE making 276 hp (206 kW; 280 PS) and 318 lb·ft (431 N·m) of torque for the Japanese version. The styling, while modern, does seem to borrow some elements from Toyota's first grand touring sports car, the Toyota 2000GT. For the export model (America/Europe) Toyota upgraded the Supra turbo's engine (smaller, steel wheeled turbochargers, bigger fuel injectors, etc.). This increased the power output to 320 hp (239 kW; 324 PS) at 5600 rpm and 315 lb·ft (427 N·m) at 4000 rpm. Upon launch in 1993, it was the first Toyota-badged vehicle to include a passenger airbag as standard (US-market only). (326 hp / 325lbft for Europe)
The turbocharged variant could achieve 0–60 mph in as low as 4.6 seconds and 1/4-mile (402 m) in 13.1 seconds at 109 mph (175 km/h). The turbo version was tested to reach over 285 km/h (177 mph), but the cars are restricted to just 180 km/h (112 mph) in Japan and 250 km/h (155 mph) elsewhere. European versions of the car also had an air intake or scoop on the hood. Drag coefficient is 0.31 for the naturally aspirated models and 0.32 for the turbo models but unknown with the rear spoiler.
With the exception of minor styling updates, the next major change occurred in 1993, when the Supra entered the realm of "supercars." Available in both Turbo and non-Turbo guises, the new Supra was a radical departure from Supras of old. Performance was now the name of the game, and many weight saving measures were employed -- Toyota went so far as to equip the vehicle with hollow carpet fibers and make the rear spoiler (optional on Turbo models) hollow. The Turbo model was hailed by many major magazines as a true worldbeater. With 320-horsepower, this was the highest level of performance, and the strongest commitment to performance, Toyota had ever placed in one vehicle.
With a major redesign in mid-1993, Supra carried on to 1994 unchanged. The next time Supra would see any change was for the 1996 model year. Due to ever-tightening emission regulations, the six-speed manual transmission in the Turbo model was dropped from the lineup. Still available in the Turbo was the four-speed electronically controlled automatic. This transmission incorporated a manual shift mode allowing the driver to select gears, but also providing a fully-automatic mode. Minor updates were also made to the interior and option list.
1997 saw the return of the six-speed manual transmission to the Supra line, and the revision and addition of minor trim items. Head- and tail-lights received a new graphite surround (rather than the previous chrome), and all Turbo models sported "Turbo" badging. All 1997 Supras were fast cars sold as Limited Edition 15th Anniversary models. All Supras also received additional frame strengthening and sound-deadening material. Due to the decline in the high-performance vehicle segment, Supra ceased production for the 1999 model year.
The FT-1 concept car / possibly a 2017 Toyota Supra MK5
Motor Trend has reported a possible Supra successor could be based on the Toyota FT-HS (Future Toyota-Hybrid Sport), which debuted at the 2007 North American International sport cars Auto Show. A Supra successor could be powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 hybrid system generating over 400 hp. Toyota says it is not rushing the Supra successor but instead is waiting to see how the sales and interests of its GT86/FR-S goes.
In 2010, Toyota applied for a trademark to the Supra name. The trademark must be used within three years for it to be valid. In December 2011, Autoguide reported a possible Supra replacement that would sit above the Toyota 86.Tetsuya Tada, the chief engineer of the Toyota 86/Scion FR-S told reporters in Germany "the president (Akio Toyoda) has asked me to make a successor to the Supra as soon as possible."
In late 2013, AutoBlog reported a Supra successor concept was coming to the January 2014 North American International Auto Show. On 13 January, Toyota unveiled its new FT-1 concept car. Little is known about this new concept car; other than that it has a front engine and rear wheel drive layout. Toyota did also state their new concept car draws inspiration from Toyota's past sports cars like the 2000GT, Supra, MR-2, and 2007 FT-HS concept car. Toyota did not state whether the FT-1 would use the Supra name, or if it was even bound for production. However, Toyota did say if the FT-1 is approved from production to expect a price tag of around US$60,000.
On 10 February 2014, Toyota submitted an application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office to renew the Supra trademark.
In June 2016, a trademark application for the Supra nameplate was filed with the European Union Intellectual Property Office. According to Autocar, the new Supra is set to debut in 2018. The car will likely feature an all-wheel-drive hybrid system; four-cylinder engines are expected to be available, with a high-performance version to use a twin-turbo V6 codenamed 943F. Kleine Zeitung reported that the new jointly-developed Supra will be produced at a Magna Steyr facility near Graz, Austria, along with the BMW Z4's successor. Although the sports car's name is yet to be officially confirmed, Toyota global chief engineer Tetsuya Tada said that it will likely carry the nameplate Supra, due to its name recognition and historical significance.
No comments for "5 Iconic Modernday Heroes and their History - Toyota Supra"
Post a Comment