In 1978, Japanese showrooms introduced the first models of the Supra. The only exception was it was called the Celica XX as it was made on the body frame of Toyota’s Celica coupe. The only difference in this prototype was that it had room to fit a six-cylinder engine, whereas the Celica originally had four-cylinders.
The car hit the world market in 1979. It had a generous 2.6-liter engine with 110 bhp. While it was nothing fast or furious, it could go from zero to 60 mph in about ten seconds. With its stylish looks and impressive speed, the Supra was enough to gain attention.
In 1982, the Celica Supra was modified. The modifications gave it a more extended platform, and they added pop-up-lights. Consumers had the choice of an automatic or manual transmission, and the new 168 bhp engine allowed it to go from zero to 60 mph in about 8.7 seconds.
They upgraded to a front-wheel-drive suspension system in 1985. Additionally, they no longer made the car on the Celica body, so they upgraded to the Toyota Soarer platform instead. The car also received a name modification. It was now known as “Supra” as the Celica reference was no longer needed.
More additions were on the horizon for the Supra in 1988, but it wouldn’t be available to consumers till 1989. To compete with the Lotus and other sportier cars, they introduced the Supra Turbo. The new engine was 230 bhp, and it could go from zero to 60 mpg in a shocking 6.1 seconds. They did offer a homologation special that came in a Turbo A and Twin R option, but it wasn’t available for the European market.
By the time 1993 rolled around, the Supra was destined to be on top. They got rid of the GT imagine they had carried around and became a supercar. Once again, they go back to rear-wheel drive, but they use characteristics of the Toyota 2000 GT to modify the body. Using aluminum helped the manufactures to cut the weight of the car, and they added a wing on the trunk as well as a 2JZ motor under the hood.
A stylish addition was a vented bonnet. Having these vents allowed the Twin Turbo R to reach zero to 60 mph in a lightning-fast 4.6 seconds. In 1996, the sales ended in the European market, and by 1998, the United States wouldn’t grant the car entry into the country anymore. However, it continued in the Japanese market until 2002. It became a pop-culture legend because of its appearance in movies like <i>Gran Turismo</i> and <i>Fast and the Furious</i>.
It’s been nearly 17 years in hiatus, but the Supra is back. Today, it uses the German platform as they have partnered with BMW. It has a more masculine body, and it sits low and is wider than the GT86 that Toyota sells. Having a shorter wheelbase makes it great for making those tight turns. Speed is not an issue. It’s the fastest Supra ever made, which can go from zero to 62 mpg in 4.3 seconds. Bringing back a car after being off the market for more than two decades shows that this car is a legend that will never die.